Tag: Cannabinoids

UV-B RADIATION EFFECTS ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS, GROWTH AND CANNABINOID PRODUCTION OF TWO Cannabis sativa CHEMOTYPES

Lydon, J., Teramura, A. H., & Coffman, C. B. (1987). 

UV-B RADIATION EFFECTS ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS, GROWTH and CANNABINOID PRODUCTION OF TWO Cannabis sativa CHEMOTYPES. Photochemistry and Photobiology

doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1987.tb04757.x

The effects of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis, growth and cannabinoid production of two greenhouse-grown C. sativa chemotypes (drug and fiber) were assessed. Terminal meristems of vegetative and reproductive tissues were irradiated for 40 days at a daily dose of 0, 6.7 or 13.4 kJ m-* biologically effective UV-B radiation. Infrared gas analysis was used to measure the physiological response of mature leaves, whereas gas-liquid chromatography was used to determine the concentration of cannabinoids in leaf and floral tissue. There were no significant physiological or morphological differences among UV-B treatments in either drug- or fiber-type plants. The concentration of A’-tetrahydrocannabinol (A”-THC), but not of other cannabinoids, in both leaf and floral tissues increased with UV-B dose in drug-type plants. None of the cannabinoids in fiber-type plants were affected by UV-B radiation. The increased levels of A’-THC in leaves after irradiation may account for the physiological and morphological tolerance to UV-B radiation in the drug-type plants. However, fiber plants showed no comparable change in the level of cannabidiol (a cannabinoid with UV-B absorptive characteristics similar to A’ THC). Thus the contribution of cannabinoids as selective UV-B filters in C. sativa is equivocal.

Abstract

Effects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid‐enriched Cannabis extracts on TRP channels and endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes

Luciano De Petrocellis, Alessia Ligresti, Aniello Schiano Moriello, Marco Allarà, Tiziana Bisogno, Stefania Petrosino, Colin G Stott, Vincenzo Di Marzo 

British Journal of Pharmacology (2011) 163 1479–1494

doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01166.x

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interact with transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and enzymes of the endocannabinoid system. The effects of 11 pure cannabinoids and botanical extracts [botanical drug substance (BDS)] from Cannabis varieties selected to contain a more abundant cannabinoid, on TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPM8, TRPA1, human recombinant diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα), rat brain fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), COS cell monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), human recombinant N‐acylethanolamine acid amide hydrolase (NAAA) and anandamide cellular uptake (ACU) by RBL‐2H3 cells, were studied using fluorescence‐based calcium assays in transfected cells and radiolabelled substrate‐based enzymatic assays. Cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), the acids (CBDA, CBGA, THCA) and propyl homologues (CBDV, CBGV, THCV) of CBD, cannabigerol (CBG) and THC, and tetrahydrocannabivarin acid (THCVA) were also tested.

Background and Purpose

Effect of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on nocturnal sleep and early-morning behavior in young adults.

Nicholson A N, Turner C, Stone B M, Robson PJ. 

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2004 Jun;24(3):305-13.

DOI: 10.1097/01.jcp.0000125688.05091.8f

The effects of cannabis extracts on nocturnal sleep, early-morning performance, memory, and sleepiness were studied in 8 healthy volunteers (4 males, 4 females; 21 to 34 years). The study was double-blind and placebo-controlled with a 4-way crossover design. The 4 treatments were placebo, 15 mg Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 5 mg THC combined with 5 mg cannabidiol (CBD), and 15 mg THC combined with 15 mg CBD. These were formulated in 50:50 ethanol to propylene glycol and administered using an oromucosal spray during a 30-minute period from 10 pm. The electroencephalogram was recorded during the sleep period (11 pm to 7 am). Performance, sleep latency, and subjective assessments of sleepiness and mood were measured from 8:30 am (10 hours after drug administration). There were no effects of 15 mg THC on nocturnal sleep. With the concomitant administration of the drugs (5 mg THC and 5 mg CBD to 15 mg THC and 15 mg CBD), there was a decrease in stage 3 sleep, and with the higher dose combination, wakefulness was increased. The next day, with 15 mg THC, memory was impaired, sleep latency was reduced, and the subjects reported increased sleepiness and changes in mood. With the lower dose combination, reaction time was faster on the digit recall task, and with the higher dose combination, subjects reported increased sleepiness and changes in mood. Fifteen milligrams THC would appear to be sedative, while 15 mg CBD appears to have alerting properties as it increased awake activity during sleep and counteracted the residual sedative activity of 15 mg THC.

Abstract

*Early phytocannabinoid chemistry to endocannabinoids and beyond


Raphael Mechoulam, Lumír O. Hanuš, Roger Pertwee and Allyn C. Howlett
Nature Reviews / Neuroscience Vol 15 Nov 1014 Pg 757-764 Perspectives
DOI: 10.1038/nrn3811

Isolation and structure elucidation of most of the major cannabinoid constituents — including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), which is the principal psychoactive molecule in Cannabis sativa — was achieved in the 1960s and 1970s. It was followed by the identification of two cannabinoid receptors in the 1980s and the early 1990s and by the identification of the endocannabinoids shortly thereafter. There have since been considerable advances in our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its function in the brain, which reveal potential therapeutic targets for a wide range of brain disorders.

Abstract

Differential transcriptional profiles mediated by exposure to the cannabinoids cannabidiol and D9 -tetrahydrocannabinol in BV-2 microglial cells

Ana Juknat, Maciej Pietr, Ewa Kozela1, Neta Rimmerman, Rivka Levy, Giovanni Coppola, Daniel Geschwind and Zvi Vogel

British Journal of Pharmacology (2012) 165 2512–2528

DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01461.x

Apart from their effects on mood and reward, cannabinoids exert beneficial actions such as neuroprotection and attenuation of inflammation. The immunosuppressive activity of cannabinoids has been well established. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We previously showed that the psychoactive cannabinoidD9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) differ in their anti-inflammatory signalling pathways.

Background and Purpose

*Development and Validation of a Reliable and Robust Method for the Analysis of Cannabinoids and Terpenes in Cannabis.

Giese MW, Lewis MA, Giese L, Smith KM.
J AOAC Int. 
DOI: 10.5740/jaoacint.15-116

The requirements for an acceptable cannabis assay have changed dramatically over the years resulting in a large number of laboratories using a diverse array of analytical methodologies that have not been properly validated. Due to the lack of sufficiently validated methods, we conducted a single- laboratory validation study for the determination of cannabinoids and terpenes in a variety of commonly occurring cultivars. The procedure involves high- throughput homogenization to prepare sample extract, which is then profiled for cannabinoids and terpenes by HPLC-diode array detector and GC-flame ionization detector, respectively. Spike recovery studies for terpenes in the range of 0.03-1.5% were carried out with analytical standards, while recovery studies for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, cannabidiolic acid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid, and cannabigerolic acid and their neutral counterparts in the range of 0.3-35% were carried out using cannabis extracts. In general, accuracy at all levels was within 5%, and RSDs were less than 3%. The interday and intraday repeatabilities of the procedure were evaluated with five different cultivars of varying chemotype, again resulting in acceptable RSDs. As an example of the application of this assay, it was used to illustrate the variability seen in cannabis coming from very advanced indoor cultivation operations.

Abstract

Developmental Plasticity of the Major Alkyl Cannabinoid Chemotypes in a Diverse Cannabis Genetic Resource Collection

Matthew T. Welling, Lei Liu1, Carolyn A. Raymond, Omid Ansari, and
Graham J. King
Frontiers in Plant Science | 1 October 2018 | Volume 9 | Article 1510
doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01510

Cannabis is a chemically diverse domesticated plant genus which produces a unique class of biologically active secondary metabolites referred to as cannabinoids. The affinity and selectivity of cannabinoids to targets of the human endocannabinoid system depend on alkyl side chain length, and these structural-activity relationships can be utilized for the development of novel therapeutics. Accurate early screening of germplasm has the potential to accelerate selection of chemical phenotypes (chemotypes) for pharmacological exploitation. However, limited attempts have been made to characterize the plasticity of alkyl cannabinoid composition in different plant tissues and throughout development. A chemotypic diversity panel comprised of 99 individuals from 20 Cannabis populations sourced from the Ecofibre Global Germplasm Collection (ecofibre.com.au and anandahemp.com) was used to examine alkyl cannabinoid variation across vegetative, flowering and maturation stages. A wide range of di-/tri-cyclic as well as C3-/C5-alkyl cannabinoid composition was observed between plants. Chemotype at the vegetative and flowering stages was found to be predictive of chemotype at maturation, indicating a low level of plasticity in cannabinoid composition. Chemometric cluster analysis based on composition data from all three developmental stages categorized alkyl cannabinoid chemotypes into three classes. Our results suggest that more extensive chemical and genetic characterization of the Cannabis genepool could facilitate the metabolic engineering of alkyl cannabinoid chemotypes.

Abstract

Designing microorganisms for heterologous biosynthesis of cannabinoids

Carvalho, Â., Hansen, E. H., Kayser, O., Carlsen, S., & Stehle, F. 
FEMS Yeast Research, 17(4).(2017).
DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fox037

During the last decade the use of medical Cannabis has expanded globally and legislation is getting more liberal in many countries, facilitating the research on cannabinoids. The unique interaction of cannabinoids with the human endocannabinoid system make these compounds an interesting target to be studied as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of several medical conditions. However, currently there are important limitations in the study, production and use of cannabinoids as pharmaceutical drugs. Besides the main constituent tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the structurally related compound cannabidiol is of high interest as drug candidate. From the more than 100 known cannabinoids most of them are mostly unknown with regard to their pharmacological profile and in very low amounts extractable. Today, cannabinoids are isolated from the strictly regulated Cannabis plant and the supply of compounds with sufficient quality is a major problem. Biotechnological production could be an attractive alternative mode of production. Herein, we explore the potential use of synthetic biology as an alternative strategy for synthesis of cannabinoids 2 in heterologous hosts. We summarize the current knowledge surrounding cannabinoids biosynthesis and present a comprehensive description of the key steps of the genuine and artificial pathway, systems biotechnology needs and platform optimization.

Abstract

D9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (D9 -THC) attenuates mouse sperm motility and male fecundity

Daniel J Morgan, Charles H Muller, Natalia A Murataeva, Brian J Davis and Ken Mackie
British Journal of Pharmacology (2012) 165 2575–2583
DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01506.x

Numerous studies have shown that N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) can inhibit sperm motility and function but the ability of cannabinoids to inhibit sperm motility is not well understood. We investigated the effects of WIN 55,212-2, a CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonist, and D9-tetrahydracannabinol (D9 -THC) on the ATP levels and motility of murine sperm in vitro. In addition, the effects of acute administration of D9 -THC on male fecundity were determined.

Abstract