# Targeting mechanosensitive cannabinoid receptor 1 with isoflavone prodrugs attenuates atherosclerotic endothelial dysfunction

## TL;DR

Researchers developed water-soluble isoflavone drugs that target the CB1 receptor to reduce atherosclerosis and improve blood vessel function.

## Contribution

First study to identify transcriptional regulators of CB1 upregulation in atherosclerosis and to develop orally available isoflavone prodrugs for treatment.

## Key findings

- CB1 is upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions and disturbed flow via ZNF610, Spi1, and KLF4.
- G7P and D7P prodrugs reversed endothelial dysfunction and reduced atherosclerotic plaque in mice.
- Oral administration of isoflavone monophosphates showed therapeutic potential for atherosclerosis.

## Abstract

Despite therapeutic advances, atherosclerosis remains a major global health challenge. Most current treatments target systemic risk factors rather than the diseased vascular wall. Our previous work identified genistein, a soy isoflavone, as a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist capable of suppressing CB1-mediated vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. However, its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability limit clinical application.

We aimed to develop water-soluble, orally bioavailable CB1 antagonists for atherosclerosis and to investigate the role of endothelial CB1 in hemodynamic regulation.

RNA-sequencing datasets from the NCBI GEO repository were analyzed to assess CB1 expression in atherosclerotic patients. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice with or without partial carotid artery ligation (PCAL) were used to model acute and chronic atherosclerosis. A cone-and-plate viscometer was employed to simulate disturbed flow. A ligand-based high-throughput virtual screening approach combined with SWEETLEAD chemical database analysis was used to discover new CB1 antagonists. A biotransformation-based strategy was used to generate isoflavone monophosphate prodrugs.

We found CB1 was upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions from patients and mice, and in endothelial cells exposed to disturbed flow. Mechanistically, this was driven by ZNF610 and Spi1 binding and KLF4 dissociation at the CB1 promoter. Daidzein, a soy isoflavone structurally similar to genistein, was identified as a novel CB1 antagonist. To enhance solubility and bioavailability, we developed genistein 7-O-phosphate (G7P) and daidzein 7-O-phosphate (D7P). Pharmacological treatment with these isoflavone monophosphates or genetic CB1 ablation reversed disturbed flow-induced endothelial dysfunction and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Oral administration of G7P and D7P significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in mice.

This is the first study to identify transcriptional regulators that drive endothelial CB1 upregulation in response to disturbed flow. We further demonstrated that isoflavone monophosphates ameliorate disturbed flow-induced endothelial dysfunction and EndMT via CB1 inhibition, offering promising oral therapeutics for atherosclerosis.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12929-026-01214-5.