Tetrahydrocannabivarin
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| Formula | C19H26O2 |
| Molar mass | 286.41 g/mol |
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Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, THV) is a homologue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) having a propyl (3-carbon) side chain instead of a pentyl (5-carbon) group on the molecule, which makes it produce very different effects from THC.[1] This terpeno-phenolic compound is found naturally in Cannabis, sometimes in significant amounts. The psychoactive effects of THCV in Cannabis preparations are not well characterized.
Contents
Chemistry[edit]
Similarly to THC, THCV has 7 double bond isomers and 30 stereoisomers (see: Tetrahydrocannabinol#Isomerism). Its melting point is < 220 degrees Celsius, < 428 degrees Fahrenheit.[2]
Description[edit]
Plants with elevated levels of propyl cannabinoids (including THCV) have been found in populations of Cannabis sativa L. ssp. indica (= Cannabis indica Lam.) from China, India, Nepal, Thailand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as well as southern and western Africa. THCV levels up to 53.7% of total cannabinoids have been reported. [3] [4]
THCV is a cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonist and cannabinoid receptor type 2 partial agonist.[5] Δ8-THCV has also been shown to be a CB1 antagonist.[6] Both papers describing the antagonistic properties of THCV were demonstrated in murine models.
Biosynthesis[edit]
Unlike THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabichromene (CBC), THCV doesn’t begin as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Instead of combining with olivetolic acid to create CBGA, geranyl pyrophosphate joins with divarinolic acid, which has 2 less carbon atoms. The result is cannabigerovarin acid (CBGVA). Once CBGVA is created, the process continues exactly the same as it would for THC. CBGVA is broken down to tetrahydrocannabivarin carboxylic acid (THCVA) by the enzyme THCV synthase. At that point, THCVA can be decarboxylated with heat or UV light to create THCV.[7]
Research[edit]
GW Pharmaceuticals is studying plant-derived tetrahydrocannabivarin (as GWP42004) for type 2 diabetes in addition to metformin.[8]
Legal status[edit]
It is not scheduled by Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
United States[edit]
THCV is not scheduled at the federal level in the United States,[9] but it is possible that THCV could legally be considered an analog of THC, in which case sale for the purpose of consumption could be prosecuted under the Federal Analog Act.
See also[edit]
- Cannabinoids
- Rimonabant (synthetic CB1 antagonist)
- Tetrahydrocannabinol-C4
- Cannabivarin
- Parahexyl
- Cannabis
- Medical cannabis
References[edit]
- ^ SC Labs, Cannabinoids
- ^ Skunk Pharma Search, Cannabinoid and Terpene info
- ^ Turner, C.E., Hadley, K.W., and Fetterman, P. 1973. Constituents of Cannabis Sativa L., VI: Propyl Homologues in Samples of Known Geographical Origin. J. Pharm. Sci. 62(10):1739-1741
- ^ Hillig, Karl W. and Paul G. Mahlberg. 2004. A chemotaxonomic analysis of cannabinoid variation in Cannabis (Cannabaceae). American Journal of Botany 91(6): 966-975.
- ^ Pertwee, Roger G (September 2007). "The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin". British Journal of Pharmacology. 153 (2): 199–215. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707617.
- ^ Pertwee RG, Thomas A, Stevenson LA, et al. 2007. The psychoactive plant cannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is antagonized by Δ8- and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin in mice in vivo. Br. J. Pharmacol. 150(5): 586–94.
- ^ MedicalJane. "What is Tetrahydrocannabivarin?".
- ^ plc, GW Pharmaceuticals. "GW Pharmaceuticals Provides Update on Cannabinoid Pipeline". Retrieved 2015-09-19.
- ^ §1308.11 Schedule I.
External links[edit]
- Erowid Compounds found in Cannabis sativa
