Liverwort As A Legal High - Dr. David Hepburn

Wednesday 28 November 2018

"Not only do the various cannabinoids in the cannabis plant act on many different receptors besides our cannabis receptors (CB1R and CB2R) throughout our body, but many other plants produce cannabinomimetics that act on our CB1R and CB2R, in the brain, bones, gut and elsewhere. It’s a busy, complicated network of receptors, ligands and exogenous compounds that are able to have a multitude of effects on our body, some for good and some for.... “good” if you want to be stoned."
-Dr. David Hepburn    


Recommended by Dr. David Hepburn:


Uncovering the psychoactivity of a cannabinoid from liverworts associated with a legal high.



Abstract



Phytochemical studies on the liverwort Radula genus have previously identified the bibenzyl (-)-cis-perrottetinene (cis-PET), which structurally resembles (-)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-trans-THC) from Cannabis sativa L. Radula preparations are sold as cannabinoid-like legal high on the internet, even though pharmacological data are lacking. 

Herein, we describe a versatile total synthesis of (-)-cis-PET and its (-)-trans diastereoisomer and demonstrate that both molecules readily penetrate the brain and induce hypothermia, catalepsy, hypolocomotion, and analgesia in a CB1 receptor-dependent manner in mice. The natural product (-)-cis-PET was profiled on major brain receptors, showing a selective cannabinoid pharmacology. This study also uncovers pharmacological differences between Δ9-THC and PET diastereoisomers. Most notably, (-)-cis-PET and (-)-trans-PET significantly reduced basal brain prostaglandin levels associated with Δ9-trans-THC side effects in a CB1 receptor-dependent manner, thus mimicking the action of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. 

Therefore, the natural product (-)-cis-PET is a psychoactive cannabinoid from bryophytes, illustrating the existence of convergent evolution of bioactive cannabinoids in the plant kingdom. Our findings may have implications for bioprospecting and drug discovery and provide a molecular rationale for the reported effects upon consumption of certain Radula preparations as moderately active legal highs.

To read the full article please visit:

Dr. Dave Hepburn website:https://doctordavidhepburn.com

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