Naturally occurring and related synthetic cannabinoids and their potential therapeutic applications.
Naturally occurring cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) are biosynthetically related terpenophenolic compounds uniquely produced by the highly variable plant, Cannabis sativa L. Natural and synthetic cannabinoids have been extensively studied since the discovery that the psychotropic effects of cannabis are mainly due to Delta(9)-THC. However, cannabinoids exert pharmacological actions on other biological systems such as the cardiovascular, immune and endocrine systems. Most of these effects have been attributed to the ability of these compounds to interact with the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. The FDA approval of Marinol, a product containing synthetic Delta(9)-THC (dronabinol), in 1985 for the control of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and in 1992 as an appetite stimulant for AIDS patients, has further intensified the research interest in these compounds. This article reviews patents (2003-2007) that describe methods for isolation of cannabinoids from cannabis, chemical and chromatographic methods for their purification, synthesis, and potential therapeutic applications of these compounds.
Galal
Ahmed M
AM
National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA. amgalalv@olemiss.edu
Slade
Desmond
D
Gul
Waseem
W
El-Alfy
Abir T
AT
Ferreira
Daneel
D
Elsohly
Mahmoud A
MA
D000818:Animals; D019167:Appetite Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D019167:Appetite Stimulants; D002186:Cannabinoids; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid