Rivanicline (RJR-2403) is a neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist, showing high selectivity for the α4β2 subtype (Ki=26 nM); >1,000 fold selectivity than α7 receptors(Ki= 36000 nM).IC50 value: 26 nM [1]Target: α4β2 nAChRin vitro: At concentrations up to 1 mM, Rivanicline does not significantly activate nAChRs in PC12 cells, muscle type nAChRs or muscarinic receptors. Dose-response curves for agonist-induced ileum contraction indicate that Rivanicline is less than one-tenth as potent as nicotine with greatly reduced efficacy. Rivanicline does not antagonize nicotine-stimulated muscle or ganglionic nAChR function (IC50 >1 mM). Chronic exposure of M10 cells to Rivanicline (10 microM) results in an up-regulation of high-affinity nAChRs phenomenologically similar to that seen with nicotine [1].in vivo: Rivanicline significantly improved passive avoidance retention after scopolamine-induced amnesia and enhanced both working and reference memory in rats with ibotenic acid lesions of the forebrain cholinergic projection system in an 8-arm radial maze paradigm. By comparison, Rivanicline was 15 to 30-fold less potent than nicotine in decreasing body temperature, respiration, Y-maze rears and crosses and acoustic startle response [2]. Metanicotine was about 5-fold less potent than nicotine in the tail-flick test after s.c administration, but slightly more potent after central administration [3].

[1]. Bencherif M, et al. RJR-2403: a nicotinic agonist with CNS selectivity I. In vitro characterization. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1996 Dec;279(3):1413-21. [2]. Lippiello PM, et al. RJR-2403: a nicotinic agonist with CNS selectivity II. In vivo characterization. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1996 Dec;279(3):1422-9. [3]. Damaj MI, et al. Antinociceptive and pharmacological effects of metanicotine, a selective nicotinic agonist. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999 Oct;291(1):390-8.