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2019
•
200 citations Research paper

A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol

Cinzia Citti, Pasquale Linciano, Fabiana Russo, Livio Luongo, Monica Iannotta, Sabatino Maione,

Summary & key facts

Researchers discovered and confirmed two new natural cannabinoids in a medicinal Cannabis sativa variety (FM2): cannabidiphorol (CBDP) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP). Δ9-THCP has a longer seven-carbon side chain than typical THC. In lab tests it bound strongly to the human CB1 receptor (Ki = 1.2 nM) and, in standard mouse behavior tests, produced THC-like effects (less movement, pain relief, catalepsy, and lower body temperature). These results come from chemical analysis, in vitro receptor tests, and mouse experiments, not from human clinical trials.

Key facts:
  • Two new natural cannabinoids were isolated from the medicinal cannabis variety FM2: cannabidiphorol (CBDP) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP).
  • Δ9-THCP has a seven-carbon alkyl side chain, compared with the usual five-carbon chain in common THC.
  • In an in vitro assay, Δ9-THCP bound to the human CB1 receptor with a Ki of 1.2 nM (CP55940, a potent full CB1 agonist, had Ki = 0.9 nM).
  • In mouse tetrad tests, Δ9-THCP caused hypomotility (reduced movement), analgesia (pain reduction), catalepsy, and decreased rectal temperature — the four classic THC-like effects.
  • The natural CBDP and Δ9-THCP samples used for tests were purified to greater than 95% and their identities were confirmed by matching to stereoselectively synthesized standards.
  • The authors note that the presence of Δ9-THCP in some cannabis varieties could help explain strong pharmacological effects that are not accounted for by Δ9-THC alone.
  • All pharmacological results reported in this paper come from laboratory binding studies and mouse behavior tests; the paper does not report human clinical data.

Topics

Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Agonist Biochemistry Biology Botany Cannabidiol Cannabinoid Cannabinoid receptor Cannabis Cannabis sativa Catalepsy Chemistry Dopamine Dronabinol Endocrinology Haloperidol Medicine Pharmacology Psychiatry Receptor Stereochemistry Tetrahydrocannabinol

Substances

Cannabis
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