MeOBOH

MeOBOH is a small organic molecule that has drawn scientific interest for its potential pharmacological properties. The compound is a heterocyclic derivative characterized by a 1,3-benzoxazole core that bears a methoxy substituent and a hydroxyl group on a pendant side chain. The systematic IUPAC name is 2-(methoxy)benzoxazole-3-ol, and its simple empirical formula can be written as C8H7NO2. MeOBOH is a crystalline solid that is soluble in polar organic solvents such as ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide.

The structure of MeOBOH was first reported in the early 2010s as part of a high‑throughput screening program aimed at discovering new scaffolds for neurotransmission modulators. Subsequent structure–activity relationship studies identified MeOBOH as a lead compound with promising activity at the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). In vitro binding assays demonstrated that MeOBOH binds KOR with a dissociation constant (Kd) in the low micromolar range. Functional assays using cultured neuronal cells indicate that the molecule acts as a partial agonist, stimulating the G‑protein signaling cascade but producing a weaker intracellular cAMP response than classical full agonists.

Animal pharmacokinetic studies have shown that MeOBOH can cross the blood–brain barrier, achieving peak brain concentrations within 30 minutes of oral administration. In rodent models of acute nociceptive pain, oral doses of 10 mg/kg produced dose‑dependent analgesia that was blocked by a selective KOR antagonist, supporting the receptor-specific mechanism of action. Chronic dosing studies have not revealed overt toxicity at doses up to 50 mg/kg in mice, but long‑term safety data are limited.

Because of its activity profile, MeOBOH is considered a potential scaffold for developing new analgesics that avoid some of the side effects associated with traditional opioids. However, the compound remains in the preclinical stage, and no clinical trials have been reported. Researchers continue to refine the chemical structure of MeOBOH, exploring analogs with improved potency, selectivity, and metabolic stability.