Inhalation exposure to smoke from synthetic "marijuana" produces potent cannabimimetic effects in mice.
Jason M Wiebelhaus, Justin L. Poklis, Alphonse Poklis, Robert E Vann, Aron H Lichtman, Laura E Wise
Drug and Alcohol Dependence December 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.05.034 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice |
| Intervention | rimonabant |
| Measures | tetrad procedure (hypomotility, antinociception, catalepsy, hypothermia) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Inhaled smoke from Buzz, containing 5.4% JWH-018, produced dose-related cannabimimetic tetrad effects in mice and dose-related increases of JWH-018 in blood and multiple organs; rimonabant blocked these effects, indicating CB(1) receptor mediation. Effects were similar in magnitude and time-course to marijuana, though equipotent doses gave lower brain JWH-018 levels than THC. |
Abstract
Use of synthetic "marijuana" has increased in recent years, produced adverse effects and prompted the temporary DEA ban of five specific cannabinoid analogs, including JWH-018. The objectives of the current study include determining the chemical content of the herbal product, Buzz, assessing its behavioral effects upon inhalation exposure to mice, determining whether CB(1) receptors mediate its pharmacological activity, and ascertaining its biodisposition in blood and various organs. Using a nose-only exposure system, mice were exposed to smoke produced from combustion of an herbal incense product, Buzz, which contained 5.4% JWH-018. Cannabimimetic effects following smoke exposure were evaluated using the tetrad procedure, consisting of the following indices: hypomotility, antinociception, catalepsy, and hypothermia. Additionally, blood and tissues were collected for JWH-018 quantification. Inhalation exposure to Buzz produced dose-related tetrad effects similar to marijuana as well as dose-related increased levels of JWH-018 in the blood, brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, and spleen. The behavioral effects were blocked by rimonabant, a CB(1) receptor antagonist. Effects produced by Buzz were similar in magnitude and time-course to those produced by marijuana, though equipotent doses of Buzz and marijuana yielded considerably lower brain levels of JWH-018 than THC for the respective materials. Inhalation exposure to a product containing JWH-018 penetrates into the brain and other organs and produces CB(1) receptor-mediated behavioral pharmacological effects in mice. The increased potency of JWH-018 compared to THC, the variable amount of drug added to various herbal products, and unknown toxicity, undoubtedly contribute to public health risks of synthetic cannabinoids.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Baths Salts, Spice, and Related Designer Drugs: The Science Behind the Headlines Journal of Neuroscience November 12, 2014
- Effect fingerprinting of new psychoactive substances (NPS): What can we learn from in vitro data? Pharmacology & Therapeutics February 1, 2018
- Sex and Gender Differences in the Effects of Novel Psychoactive Substances. Brain Sciences September 3, 2020
- Neurocognition and subjective experience following acute doses of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH‐018: a phase 1, placebo‐controlled, pilot study British Journal of Pharmacology November 22, 2017
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Multiple Intracranial Arterial Stenoses in a Synthetic Cannabinoid "Spice" User. Asian journal of neurosurgery 2018
and 8 more in the library
Cites 7
- AM2389, a high-affinity, in vivo potent CB1-receptor-selective cannabinergic ligand as evidenced by drug discrimination in rats and hypothermia testing in mice. Psychopharmacology March 2012
- JWH-018 and JWH-073: Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol-like discriminative stimulus effects in monkeys. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 2012
- Cannabinergic aminoalkylindoles, including AM678=JWH018 found in 'Spice', examined using drug (Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol) discrimination for rats. Behavioural Pharmacology September 2011
- Phase I hydroxylated metabolites of the K2 synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 retain in vitro and in vivo cannabinoid 1 receptor affinity and activity. PLoS One 2011
- JWH018, a common constituent of 'Spice' herbal blends, is a potent and efficacious cannabinoid CB receptor agonist. British Journal of Pharmacology June 2010
and 2 more in the library