title: Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity of constituents of Cannabis sativa L.
abstract: Two extracts of Cannabis 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 tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA)-induced erythema of mouse skin when applied topically. With the exception of cannabinol (CBN) and delta 1-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 1-THC), the cannabinoids and olivetol (their biosynthetic precursor) demonstrated activity in the PBQ test exhibiting their maximal effect at doses of about 100 micrograms/kg. delta 1-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. CNB demonstrated little activity and even at doses in excess of 10 mg/kg could only produce a 40% inhibition of PBQ-induced writhing. Cannabinoid (CBD) was the most effective of the cannabinoids at doses of 100 micrograms/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 delta 1-THC and CBN were the least effective in this test suggests a structural relationship between analgesic activity and antiinflammatory activity among the cannabinoids related to their peripheral actions and separate from the central effects of delta 1-THC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of London, England.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Formukong
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016227:Benzoquinones; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011809:Quinones / Q000633:toxicity; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016227:Benzoquinones; D002186:Cannabinoids; D011809:Quinones; D012118:Resorcinols; C029322:phenylbenzoquinone; C016630:olivetol