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Listed
Presence
Formerly Arkansas
Last published
2026
Sources
OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed
2026-10-07
L
Lirit N. Franks
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Formerly Arkansas Affiliated with UAMS through 2021; recent publications list University of Utah.
10 h-index
16 pubs
459 cited
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Lirit N. Franks' research focuses on the pharmacology of cannabinoid receptors, specifically CB1 and CB2. Studies have investigated the binding affinities and functional effects of various compounds, including synthetic cannabinoids like JWH-018 and JWH-073, as well as endogenous ligands and pharmaceutical agents such as AM-251 and rimonabant. Franks has examined the interactions between cannabinoid and opioid receptors, and has explored the potential of cannabinoid receptor ligands for treating alcohol abuse. Research has also delved into the development of G protein-biased CB1 agonists and the characterization of novel synthetic cannabinoids, including their atypical pharmacodynamic properties and metabolic profiles, which may contribute to adverse effects. Publications have explored how repeated administration of certain cannabinoids can induce tolerance and alter receptor expression in specific brain regions, and have identified CB1 and CB2 receptors as targets for tamoxifen. Franks has collaborated with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, co-authoring multiple publications.
Metrics
- h-index: 10
- Publications: 16
- Citations: 459
Selected Publications
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Characterization of cannabinoid receptors expressed in Ewing sarcoma TC-71 and A-673 cells as potential targets for anti-cancer drug development (2021)
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Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids Reduce Cell Viability of Ewing Sarcoma TC‐71 Cells Potentially via Non‐canonical CB receptors (2021)
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Reduced Tolerance and Asymmetrical Crosstolerance to Effects of the Indole Quinuclidinone Analog PNR-4-20, a G Protein–Biased Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Agonist in Mice: Comparisons with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and JWH-018 (2019)
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Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC (2018)
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The tamoxifen derivative ridaifen-B is a high affinity selective CB 2 receptor inverse agonist exhibiting anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic effects (2018)
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Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development (2017)
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Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators: Cannabinoid Receptor Inverse Agonists with Differential CB1 and CB2 Selectivity (2016)
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Tamoxifen Isomers and Metabolites Exhibit Distinct Affinity and Activity at Cannabinoid Receptors: Potential Scaffold for Drug Development (2016)
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Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner (2015)
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Characterization of the intrinsic activity for a novel class of cannabinoid receptor ligands: Indole quinuclidine analogs (2014)
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CB1 and CB2 receptors are novel molecular targets for Tamoxifen and 4OH-Tamoxifen (2013)
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Human metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 bind with high affinity and act as potent agonists at cannabinoid type-2 receptors (2013)
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Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Aminoalkylindole Derivatives as Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands with Potential for Treatment of Alcohol Abuse (2013)
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The omega and omega‐1 monohydroxyl metabolites of the abused K2/Spice synthetic cannabinoids JWH‐018 and JWH‐ 073 bind with high affinity and act as agonists at human cannabinoid 2 receptors (hCB2s) (2012)
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AM-251 and rimonabant act as direct antagonists at mu-opioid receptors: Implications for opioid/cannabinoid interaction studies (2012)
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
Paul L. Prather
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
15 shared publications
In database
- AM-251 and rimonabant act as direct antagonists at mu-opioid receptors: Implications for opioid/cannabinoid interaction studies
- Human metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 bind with high affinity and act as potent agonists at cannabinoid type-2 receptors
- Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Aminoalkylindole Derivatives as Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands with Potential for Treatment of Alcohol Abuse
Showing 5 of 15 shared publications
Benjamin M. Ford
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
10 shared publications
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Aminoalkylindole Derivatives as Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands with Potential for Treatment of Alcohol Abuse
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators: Cannabinoid Receptor Inverse Agonists with Differential CB1 and CB2 Selectivity
- CB1 and CB2 receptors are novel molecular targets for Tamoxifen and 4OH-Tamoxifen
- Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
William E. Fantegrossi
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
6 shared publications
In database
- AM-251 and rimonabant act as direct antagonists at mu-opioid receptors: Implications for opioid/cannabinoid interaction studies
- Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Aminoalkylindole Derivatives as Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands with Potential for Treatment of Alcohol Abuse
- Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Anna Radomińska‐Pandya
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
5 shared publications
In database
- CB1 and CB2 receptors are novel molecular targets for Tamoxifen and 4OH-Tamoxifen
- Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC
- Tamoxifen Isomers and Metabolites Exhibit Distinct Affinity and Activity at Cannabinoid Receptors: Potential Scaffold for Drug Development
- Characterization of cannabinoid receptors expressed in Ewing sarcoma TC-71 and A-673 cells as potential targets for anti-cancer drug development
- Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids Reduce Cell Viability of Ewing Sarcoma TC‐71 Cells Potentially via Non‐canonical CB receptors
Lisa K. Brents
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4 shared publications
In database
- AM-251 and rimonabant act as direct antagonists at mu-opioid receptors: Implications for opioid/cannabinoid interaction studies
- Human metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 bind with high affinity and act as potent agonists at cannabinoid type-2 receptors
- Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner
- The omega and omega‐1 monohydroxyl metabolites of the abused K2/Spice synthetic cannabinoids JWH‐018 and JWH‐ 073 bind with high affinity and act as agonists at human cannabinoid 2 receptors (hCB2s)
Narsimha Reddy Penthala
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
3 shared publications
In database
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Characterization of the intrinsic activity for a novel class of cannabinoid receptor ligands: Indole quinuclidine analogs
- Reduced Tolerance and Asymmetrical Crosstolerance to Effects of the Indole Quinuclidinone Analog PNR-4-20, a G Protein–Biased Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Agonist in Mice: Comparisons with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and JWH-018
Peter A. Crooks
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
3 shared publications
In database
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Characterization of the intrinsic activity for a novel class of cannabinoid receptor ligands: Indole quinuclidine analogs
- Reduced Tolerance and Asymmetrical Crosstolerance to Effects of the Indole Quinuclidinone Analog PNR-4-20, a G Protein–Biased Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Agonist in Mice: Comparisons with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and JWH-018
Maheswari Rajasekaran
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
3 shared publications
- AM-251 and rimonabant act as direct antagonists at mu-opioid receptors: Implications for opioid/cannabinoid interaction studies
- Human metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 bind with high affinity and act as potent agonists at cannabinoid type-2 receptors
- The omega and omega‐1 monohydroxyl metabolites of the abused K2/Spice synthetic cannabinoids JWH‐018 and JWH‐ 073 bind with high affinity and act as agonists at human cannabinoid 2 receptors (hCB2s)
Jeffery H. Moran
3 shared publications
In database
- Human metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 bind with high affinity and act as potent agonists at cannabinoid type-2 receptors
- Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC
- The omega and omega‐1 monohydroxyl metabolites of the abused K2/Spice synthetic cannabinoids JWH‐018 and JWH‐ 073 bind with high affinity and act as agonists at human cannabinoid 2 receptors (hCB2s)
Azure L. Yarbrough
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
3 shared publications
In database
- Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC
- Characterization of cannabinoid receptors expressed in Ewing sarcoma TC-71 and A-673 cells as potential targets for anti-cancer drug development
- Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids Reduce Cell Viability of Ewing Sarcoma TC‐71 Cells Potentially via Non‐canonical CB receptors
Tamara Vasiljevik
University of Kansas (US)
2 shared publications
- Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner
- Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Aminoalkylindole Derivatives as Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands with Potential for Treatment of Alcohol Abuse
Sherrica Tai
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
2 shared publications
In database
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Reduced Tolerance and Asymmetrical Crosstolerance to Effects of the Indole Quinuclidinone Analog PNR-4-20, a G Protein–Biased Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Agonist in Mice: Comparisons with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and JWH-018
Christian V. Cabanlong
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
2 shared publications
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Reduced Tolerance and Asymmetrical Crosstolerance to Effects of the Indole Quinuclidinone Analog PNR-4-20, a G Protein–Biased Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Agonist in Mice: Comparisons with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and JWH-018
Catheryn D. Wilson
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
2 shared publications
In database
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC
Amal Shoeib
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
2 shared publications
In database
- Characterization of cannabinoid receptors expressed in Ewing sarcoma TC-71 and A-673 cells as potential targets for anti-cancer drug development
- Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids Reduce Cell Viability of Ewing Sarcoma TC‐71 Cells Potentially via Non‐canonical CB receptors
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