Effects of super-class cannabis terpenes beta-caryophyllene and alpha-pinene on zebrafish behavioural biomarkers.
Andrea Johnson, Alycia Stewart, Ismaeel El-Hakim, Trevor J Hamilton
Scientific Reports October 14, 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21552-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Zebrafish |
| Interventions | β-caryophyllene α-pinene (+)-α-pinene (-)-α-pinene |
| Dose | β-caryophyllene: 0.02%, 0.2%, 2.0%, and 4%; α-pinene: 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.1% |
| Measures | open field exploration test, novel object approach test |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | β-Caryophyllene had only a sedative effect at the highest dose tested (4%). α-Pinene had differing dose-dependent effects on anxiety-like and motor variables: (+)-α-pinene and (-)-α-pinene significantly affected time spent in the thigmotaxis (outer) or center zone in the open field test and the locomotor variables swimming velocity and immobility, whereas (+/-)-α-pinene showed only a small effect on immobility at the 0.1% dose. The authors conclude α-pinene can have a sedative or anxiolytic effect in zebrafish and may have different medicinal properties when isolated into its (+) or (-) enantiomers. |
Abstract
Terpenes possess a wide range of medicinal properties and are potential therapeutics for a variety of pathological conditions. This study investigated the acute effects of two cannabis terpenes, β-caryophyllene and α-pinene, on zebrafish locomotion, anxiety-like, and boldness behaviour using the open field exploration and novel object approach tests. β-caryophyllene was administered in 0.02%, 0.2%, 2.0%, and 4% doses. α-pinene was administered in 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.1% doses. As α-pinene is a racemic compound, we also tested its (+) and (-) enantiomers to observe any differential effects. β-caryophyllene had only a sedative effect at the highest dose tested. α-pinene had differing dose-dependent effects on anxiety-like and motor variables. Specifically, (+)-α-pinene and (-)-α-pinene had significant effects on anxiety measures, time spent in the thigmotaxis (outer) or center zone, in the open field test, as well as locomotor variables, swimming velocity and immobility. (+ /-)-α-pinene showed only a small effect on the open field test on immobility at the 0.1% dose. This study demonstrates that α-pinene can have a sedative or anxiolytic effect in zebrafish and may have different medicinal properties when isolated into its (+) or (-) enantiomers.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- R (-)-methoxetamine exerts rapid and sustained antidepressant effects and fewer behavioral side effects relative to S (+)-methoxetamine. Neuropharmacology August 1, 2021
- The “Entourage Effect”: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders Current Neuropharmacology January 23, 2020
- Analysis of the Uptake, Metabolism, and Behavioral Effects of Cannabinoids on Zebrafish Larvae. Zebrafish August 2018
- Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in mood and related disorders. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica October 2011