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Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity of constituents ofCannabis sativa L.

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Abstract

Two extacts ofCannabis sativa herb, one being cannabinoid-free (ethanol) and the other containing the cannabinoids (petroleum), were shown to inhibit PBQ-induced writhing in mouse when given orally and also to antagonize tetradecanoyl-phorbol acetate (TPA) -induced erythema of mouse skin when applied topically. With the exception of cannabinol (CBN) and δ1-tetrahydrocannabinol (δ1-THC), the cannabinoids and olivetol (their biosynthetic precursor) demonstrated activity in the PBQ test exhibiting their maximal effect at doses of about 100Μg/kg. δ1-THC only became maximally effective in doses of 10 mg/kg. This higher dose corresponded to that which induced catalepsy and is indicative of a central action. CBN demonstrated little activity and even at doses in excess of 10 mg/kg could only produce a 40% inhibition of PBQ-induced writhing. Cannabidiol (CBD) was the most effective of the cannabinoids at doses of 100Μg/kg. Doses of cannabinoids that were effective in the analgesic test orally were used topically to antagonize TPA-induced erythema of skin. The fact that δ1-THC and CBN were the least effective in this test suggests a structural relationship between analgesic activity and antiin-flammatory activity among the cannabinoids related to their peripheral actions and separate from the central effects of δ1-THC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, WC11N 1AX, London, England

    E. A. Formukong, A. T. Evans & F. J. Evans

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  1. E. A. Formukong
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  2. A. T. Evans
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  3. F. J. Evans
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Formukong, E.A., Evans, A.T. & Evans, F.J. Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity of constituents ofCannabis sativa L.. Inflammation 12, 361–371 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00915771

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