Psychoactive Plant Database - Neuroactive Phytochemical Collection

1. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2024 Oct 30. doi: 10.1089/can.2024.0058. Online
ahead  of print.

Minor Cannabinoid Profile of Unregulated Cannabidiol Products.

Johnson E(1), Kilgore M(2), Nuzzo P(3), Babalonis S(3)(4).

Author information:
(1)LGC Assure, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
(2)College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, 
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
(3)College of Medicine, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Cannabis Center, 
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
(4)College of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Science, University of 
Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

Background: Although the majority of cannabinoid research has focused on 
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), there is increasing 
interest in the therapeutic effects of other phytocannabinoid compounds (i.e., 
minor cannabinoids), as there is little known about their effects or interaction 
with CBD. The current study objective was to determine the concentrations of 15 
minor cannabinoids in unregulated, over-the-counter CBD products. Methods: A 
cross-section sample of 80 local and national brands of hemp-derived oil 
products was purchased both online and in local retail outlets in central 
Kentucky. Epidiolex® was included as a regulated control. Samples from each 
product were extracted by solvent extraction and quantified by 
liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry. The targeted cannabinoids were: 
cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidivarinic acid, 
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid, 
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-A, Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), cannabigerol 
(CBG), cannabigerolic acid, cannabinol (CBN), cannabinolic acid, cannabicyclol 
(CBL), cannabicyclolic acid, cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabichromenic acid. 
Results: Among the unregulated products included in this analysis, the most 
frequently detected minor cannabinoids were CBDV (100% of samples tested), CBG 
(77%), CBC (72%), CBN (67%), CBL (67%), and CBDA (51%). Δ8-THC was not detected 
in any of the products tested. Concentrations of these cannabinoids varied 
widely from trace concentrations to several mg/mL (e.g., CBDA: 0.006-12.258 
mg/mL). Conclusions: These data indicate CBD products often contain minor 
cannabinoids, although the array and concentrations of these cannabinoids vary 
widely across products. The concentrations of these minor cannabinoids are 
largely absent from product labels, leaving consumers uninformed about product 
contents.

DOI: 10.1089/can.2024.0058
PMID: 39478329


2. Neurotoxicology. 2024 Aug 23;105:34-44. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.08.002.
Online  ahead of print.

Use of phytocanabinoids in animal models of Parkinson's disease: Systematic 
review.

Alves ADF(1), Dias FCR(2), Cadena PG(3), Silva-Jr VA(4).

Author information:
(1)Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of 
Pernambuco, Brazil. Electronic address: amandadedeusfa@gmail.com.
(2)Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of 
Pernambuco, Brazil; Cellular Interactions Laboratory, Institute of Biological 
and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo 
Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
(3)Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, Federal Rural University of 
Pernambuco, Brazil.
(4)Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of 
Pernambuco, Brazil.

This systematic review was carried out with the aim of evaluating the use of 
medicinal Cannabis for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in experimental 
models. Furthermore, we sought to understand the main intracellular mechanisms 
capable of promoting the effects of phytocannabinoids on motor disorders, 
neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The experimental 
models were developed in mice, rats and marmosets. There was a predominance of 
using only males in relation to females; in three studies, the authors evaluated 
treatments in males and females. Drugs were used as inducers of Parkinson's 
disease: 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), 
1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 
and rotenone. Substances capable of promoting catalepsy in animals were also 
used: haloperidol, L-nitro-N-arginine (L-NOARG), WIN55,212-2, and reserpine. The 
inducing agent was injected stereotaxically or intraperitoneally. The most 
commonly used treatments were cannabidiol (CBD), Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol 
(Δ-9 THC) and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ-9 THCV), administered 
intraperitoneally, orally, subcutaneously and intramuscularly. The use of 
phytocannabinoids improved locomotor activity and involuntary movement and 
reduced catalepsy. There was an improvement in the evaluation of dopaminergic 
neurons, while in relation to dopamine content, the treatment had no effect. 
Inflammation, microglial/astrocyte activation and oxidative stress were reduced 
after treatment with phytocannabinoids, the same was observed in the results of 
tests for allodynia and hyperalgesia.

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.08.002
PMID: 39182852

Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors 
declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal 
relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this 
paper.


3. Chem Biodivers. 2024 Aug 7:e202401338. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202401338. Online
ahead  of print.

In Silico Approach for Assessment of the Anti-tumor Potential of Cannabinoid 
Compounds by Targeting Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Enzyme.

Zemnou Tepap C(1), Anissi J(1), Bounou S(1), Berton Zanchi F(2).

Author information:
(1)EuroMed University of Fes (UEMF), Fes, Morocco.
(2)Laboratório de Bioinformática e Química Medicinal (LABIOQUIM), Fundação 
Oswaldo Cruz Rondônia,Porto Velho, RO, Brasil.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) 
enzyme that generates NADPH, which is required for cellular redox equilibrium 
and reductive biosynthesis. It has been demonstrated that abnormal G6PD 
activation promotes cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. To date, no G6PD 
inhibitor has passed clinical testing successfully enough to be launched as a 
medicine. As a result, in this investigation, cannabinoids were chosen to 
evaluate their anticancer potential by targeting G6PD. Molecular docking 
indicated that three molecules, Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), 
Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), have the 
highest binding affinities for G6PD of -8.61, -8.39, and 8.01 Kcal mol. ADMET 
analysis found that all of them were safe prospective drug candidates. Molecular 
dynamics (MD) simulation and MM-PBSA analysis confirm the structural compactness 
and lower conformational variation of protein-ligand complexes, thereby 
maintaining structural stability and rigidity. Thus, our in silico investigation 
exhibited all three cannabinoids as potential competitive inhibitors of G6PD.

© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202401338
PMID: 39109709


4. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2024;144(8):823-837. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.24-00029.

[Identification of Δ(8)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Δ(9)-THC Analogs, with 
Different Lengths of Alkyl Chain at C-3 Position, in Oil Products Distributed on 
the Internet].

[Article in Japanese]

Tanaka R(1), Kikura-Hanajiri R(1).

Author information:
(1)Division of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Narcotics, National Institute 
of Health Sciences.

Since around 2021, products claiming to contain a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 
analog with different lengths of alkyl chain at C-3 position have been sold on 
the internet in Japan. Δ9-THC has a pentyl group derived from the precursor 
olivetol at the C-3 position. These products include liquid cartridges for 
electronic cigarettes, herbal products, and gummy products. This study analyzed 
and determined the ingredients in five oil products distributed on the internet 
from 2022 to 2023 that claim to contain THC analogs. Samples of each product 
were used for GC-MS and LC-MS measurements. After isolating and purifying the 
unknown components from the products, structural analysis was performed by 
measuring 1H, 13C-NMR and various two-dimensional NMR [HH correlation 
spectroscopy (H-H COSY), heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC), 
heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC), and nuclear Overhauser effect 
spectroscopy (NOESY)]. The analysis identified Δ8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), 
Δ9-THCV, Δ8-tetrahydrocannabutol (THCB), Δ9-THCB, Δ8-tetrahydrocannabihexol 
(THCH), Δ9-THCH, Δ8-3-octyl-THC (THCjd) and Δ9-THCjd. These compounds were 
Δ8-THC or Δ9-THC analogs with different lengths of alkyl chain at C-3 position. 
Meanwhile, Δ4(8)-iso-THCV and Δ11-THCB were identified as minor components of 
the product, and were considered to be the reaction byproducts of the synthesis 
of the Δ8-THC or Δ9-THC analogs. In the future, there are concerns about the 
distribution of products containing new THC analogs. Therefore, continuous 
provision monitoring of newly detected in the products is important.

DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.24-00029
PMID: 39085059 [Indexed for MEDLINE]


5. Sci Rep. 2024 Jul 16;14(1):16411. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-66420-3.

Comparison of decarboxylation rates of acidic cannabinoids between secretory 
cavity contents and air-dried inflorescence extracts in Cannabis sativa cv. 
'Cherry Wine'.

Kim ES(1), Park SH(2), Kinney CA(2)(3), Olejar KJ(3), Corredor-Perilla IC(2).

Author information:
(1)Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, 
81001, USA. eunsoo.kim@csupueblo.edu.
(2)Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, 
81001, USA.
(3)Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, 81001, 
USA.

Studies with secretory cavity contents and air-dried inflorescence extracts of 
the CBD-rich hemp strain, Cannabis sativa cv. 'Cherry Wine', were conducted to 
compare the decarboxylation rates of acidic cannabinoids between two groups. The 
secretory cavity contents acquired from the capitate-stalked glandular trichomes 
by glass microcapillaries, and inflorescence samples air-dried for 15 days of 
storage in darkness at room temperature were analysed by high-pressure liquid 
chromatography. The ratio of acidic cannabinoids to the total cannabinoids was 
ranging from 0.5% to 2.4% lower in the air-dried inflorescence samples compared 
to the secretory cavity samples as follows. In the secretory cavity content, the 
percentage of acidic cannabinoids to the total cannabinoids was measured as 
86.4% cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), 6.5% tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), 4.3% 
cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), 1.4% cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), and 0.6% 
cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA), respectively. In the air-dried inflorescence, 
however, the acidic cannabinoids were detected with 84% CBDA, 4.8% THCA, 3.3% 
CBCA, 0.8% CBGA, and 0.3% Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (Δ9-THCVA), 
respectively. The ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) to cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) was 
close to 1:99 (w/w) in secretory cavity contents, however, it was roughly 1:20 
(w/w) in the air-dried inflorescence. In addition, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin 
(Δ9-THCV) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (Δ9-THCVA) were only detected in 
the air-dried inflorescence sample, and the ratio of Δ9-THCV to Δ9-THCVA was 
about 1:20 (w/w). Besides, cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA) was only observed in 
the secretory cavity content.

© 2024. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the 
US; foreign copyright protection may apply.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66420-3
PMCID: PMC11252385
PMID: 39013926 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no competing interests.