PHARMACOLOGY OF NOVAL CANNABINOIDS

Cannabis contains many compounds that affect human physiology and help manage clinical diseases. Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have seen increased use, especially among infrequent cannabis users, producing psychoactive effects similar to cannabis but with potentially hazardous composition and pharmacology. Cannabis pharmacokinetics depends on route of administration: oral administration has lower bioavailability than inhalation because cannabinoids undergo first-pass metabolism before entering systemic circulation, whereas inhalation allows direct entry through the lungs. Cannabis sativa contains over 500 components, including 104 identified cannabinoids; Δ9-THC is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid, and cannabis potency is assessed by THC concentration. Adverse effects relate directly to THC concentration after regular use.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Cannabis is a plant rich in various compounds that have a variety of impacts on the physiology of humans and the effects of these metabolites have a significant role in managing a variety of clinical diseases. A substantial increase in the use of SC (synthetic cannabinoids) had seen in the last few years especially infrequent cannabis users. The SCs will generate psychoactive effects that were similar to cannabis. However, the composition and pharmacological characteristics of these drugs make them possibly hazardous. Like all drugs, cannabis’ pharmacokinetics depends on the route of administration. Several studies showed that the bioavailability is less in oral administration when compared to inhalation. The main reason for this decrease in oral bioavailability is that cannabinoids undergo the first-pass metabolism before entering into the systemic circulation whereas in inhalation, it enters the circulation directly through the lungs. Cannabis sativa is a psychoactive plant that contains more than 500 components of which 104 cannabinoids had been identified. Of these, 2 components such as Δ9-THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidol) were under the scientific investigation. Δ9-THC is the primary cannabinoid which was responsible for the consequences of psychotrophy. The potency of cannabis is assessed based on the THC concentration of a sample that is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. The adverse effects are in direct relation to the concentration of THC in the product after regular cannabis use. It can be assumed that several cannabinoids will find their way into the pharmacies from preclinical research within a century.