• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.597-603
• /
• 2015

Synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-250 in 'herbal incense' also called 'spice' were first introduced in many countries. Numerous synthetic cannabinoids with similar chemical structures emerged simultaneously and suddenly. Currently there are not sufficient data on their adverse effects including neurotoxicity. There are only anecdotal reports that suggest their toxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the neurotoxicity of two synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-081 and JWH-210) through observation of various behavioral changes and analysis of histopathological changes using experimental mice with various doses (0.1, 1, 5 mg/kg). In functional observation battery (FOB) test, animals treated with 5 mg/kg of JWH-081 or JWH-210 showed traction and tremor. Their locomotor activities and rotarod retention time were significantly (p<0.05) decreased. However, no significant change was observed in learning or memory function. In histopathological analysis, neural cells of the animals treated with the high dose (5 mg/kg) of JWH-081 or JWH-210 showed distorted nuclei and nucleus membranes in the core shell of nucleus accumbens, suggesting neurotoxicity. Our results suggest that JWH-081 and JWH-210 may be neurotoxic substances through changing neuronal cell damages, especially in the core shell part of nucleus accumbens. To confirm our findings, further studies are needed in the future.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.1365-1375
• /
• 2005

The antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate (MSC) and three major cannabinoids, i.e., $\bigtriangleup^{9}$-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), were evaluated using in vitro bioassays, viz., the human breast cancer cell proliferation assay, the recombinant human estrogen receptor (ER) competitive binding assay, and the reporter gene assay. The inhibitory effects on estrogen were also examined using the ethoxyresorufin-O­deethylase (EROD) assay, the aromatase assay, and the 17$\beta$-estradiol ($E_{2}$) metabolism assay. The results showed that MSC induced the antiestrogenic effect via the ER-mediated pathway, while THC, CBD, and CBN did not have any antiestrogenic activity. This suggests that the combined effects of the marijuana smoke components are responsible for the antiestrogenicity of marijuana use. In addition, MSC induced the CYP1A activity and the $E_{2}$ metabolism, but inhibited the aromatase activity, suggesting that the antiestrogenic activity of MSC is also related to the indirect ER-dependent pathway, as a result of the depletion of the in situ $E_{2}$ level available to bind to the ER. In conclusion, pyrogenic products including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the non-polar fraction, which is the most biologically active fraction among the seven fractions of MSC, might be responsible for the antiestrogenic effect.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.13-30
• /
• 1998

Geraniol (1), olivetol (2), cannabinoids (3 and 4) and 5-fluorou.a.il (5). were tested for their growth inhibitory effects against SK-MEL-3 cell lines using two different 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and sulforhodamine B protein (SRB) assay. These compounds showed inhibitory activity in vitro in the micromolar range against SK-MEL-3 cell lines. In general, the antitumor activity of these compounds (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) was in a dose-dependent over the micromolar concentration range $1\;to\;100{\mu}M$. The comparison of $IC_{50}$ values of these compounds in tumor cell lines shows that their susceptibility to these compounds decrease in the following order : OLVTL > CBG > CBD > 5-FU > CRNL in MTT assay, CBG > OLVTL > CBD > GRNL > 5-FU in SRB assay. Cannabinoids (3 and 4) and 5-fluorouracil (5) were tested for their cytotoxic effects on NIH 373 fibroblasts using two different MTT assay and SRB assay. These compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic activities in vitro in the micromolar range against NIH 373 fibroblasts. In general, the cytotoxic activities of these compounds (3, 4 and 5) were in a dose-dependent over the micromolar concentration range $1\;to\;100{\mu}M$. The comparison of $CD_{50}$ values of these compounds on NIH 373 fibroblasts shows that their susceptibility to these compounds decrease on the following order ; CBD > 5-FU > CBG in MTT assay and SRB assay. Cannabigerol (3) was shown the least cytotoxic activity on NIH 373 fibroblasts. Cannabigerol (3) exhibited the most growth-inhibitory activity against SK-MEL-3 cell lines.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.187-190
• /
• 2006

In order to produce hemp with low cannabinoids and appropriate fiber yield, seeds of the IH3 (non drug type germplasm) and local variety (drug type cultivar) were mixed to 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 on base of seed weight ratio and cultivated for seed production. In the seed yield trial, the weight of 1000 grains were around 21 g, which was increased in proportion to the ratio of IH3 seeds but seed yield were 100 kg/10a, which were not significantly different by the seeds-mixing ratio. In fiber yield trials with seeds from seed yield trial, fiber yield ranged $193{\sim}198kg/10a$ which was not significantly different by the seeds mixing ratio but the content of THC(${\Delta}$-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) was lowered in proportion to the ratio of IH3 seeds. Variation of THC and CBD (Cannabidiol) level in the 150 plant cultivated with various seed mixing ratio reflected that the percentage of drug and intermediate type were decreased but non drug type were increased in proportion to the ratio of IH3 seeds.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.682-688
• /
• 2020

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a dioecious plant, although monoecious plants are bred in some cultivars for fiber or seed production. Recently, hemp has received attention for medicinal use with some cannabinoids, including cannabidiol. Self-fertilization for breeding inbred lines is difficult because of dioeciousness and anemophily in hemp. This experiment was conducted to develop a self-fertilization method by forming female flowers and seeds from male plants of dioecious hemp. To induce the formation of female flowers on male plants, 500 mg L^-1 of ethephon was sprayed on plants at soon, seven and fourteen days after primordia formation. The plant ratio of female flowers formation and the number of harvested seeds were increased by ethephon treatment. Female flowers of male plants have 5 stigmas in contrast to the dual stigma of female 1plants. Male plant seeds were lighter and smaller than those from female plants. Although the germination rate was lower than that of normal seeds from female plants, the seeds from male plants germinated to grow seedlings. Thus, we suggest that hemp plants should be treated with ethephon at soon after primordia formation to induce the formation of more female flowers on the male plants.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.223-228
• /
• 2006

Several plant-derived cannabinoids and endogenous ligands for cannabinoid receptors such as 2-arachidonyl-glycerol have been known to inhibit interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression. In the present study, we utilized arachidonylethanolamide (AEA), a putative endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors, to determine whether AEA modulated the expression of IL-2. AEA inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin (Io)-induced IL-2 protein secretion and mRNA expression in EL-4 mouse T-cells as determined by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. To further characterize the inhibitory mechanism of AEA at the transcriptional level, we performed promoter study for IL-2 gene in PMA/Io-stimulated EL-4 cells. AEA decreased the transcriptional activity of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT) as well as the IL-2 promoter activity. These results suggest that AEA suppresses IL-2 expression and that the inhibition is mediated, at least in part, through the down-regulation of NF-AT.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.353-356
• /
• 1998

Geraniol (1), olivetol (2), cannabinoids (3 and 4) and 5-fluorouracil (5) were tested for their growth inhibitory effects against human oral epitheloid carcinoma cell lines (KB) and NIH 3T3 fibrobalsts using two different 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and sulforhodamine B protein (SRB) assay. Cannabigerol (3) exhibited the highest growth-inhibitory activity against the cancer cell lines.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.363-369
• /
• 2014

Synthetic cannabinoids (CBs) such as the JWH series have caused social problems concerning their abuse liability. Because the JWH series produces euphoric and hallucinogenic effects, they have been distributed illegally under street names such as "Spice" and "Smoke". Many countries including Korea have started to schedule some of the JWH series compounds as controlled substances, but there are a number of JWH series chemicals that remain uncontrolled by law. In this study, three synthetic CBs with different binding affinities to the $CB_1$ receptor (JWH-073, 081, and 210) and ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol (${\Delta}^9$-THC) were evaluated for their potential for psychological dependence. The conditioned place preference test (unbiased method) and self-administration test (fixed ratio of 1) using rodents were conducted. $K_i$ values of the three synthetic cannabinoids were calculated as supplementary data using a receptor binding assay and overexpressed $CB_1$ protein membranes to compare dependence potential with $CB_1$ receptor binding affinity. All mice administered JWH-073, 081, or 210 showed significantly increased time spent at unpreferred space in a dose-dependence manner in the conditioned place preference test. In contrast, all tested substances except ${\Delta}^9$-THC showed aversion phenomenon at high doses in the conditioned place preference test. The order of affinity to the $CB_1$ receptor in the receptor binding assay was JWH-210 > JWH-081 >> JWH-073, which was in agreement with the results from the conditioned place preference test. However, no change in self-administration was observed. These findings suggest the possibility to predict dependence potential of synthetic CBs through a receptor binding assay at the screening level.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.266-271
• /
• 2017

Synthetic cannabinoids are one of most abused new psychoactive substances. The recreational use of abused drug has aroused serious concerns about the consequences of these drugs on infection. However, the effects of synthetic cannabinoid on resistance to tetanus toxin are not fully understood yet. In the present study, we aimed to determine if the administration of synthetic cannabinoids increase the susceptibility to tetanus toxin-induced motor behavioral deficit and functional changes in cerebellar neurons in mice. Furthermore, we measured T lymphocytes marker levels, such as CD8 and CD4 which against tetanus toxin. JWH-210 administration decreased expression levels of T cell activators including cluster of differentiation (CD) $3{\varepsilon}$, $CD3{\gamma}$, CD74p31, and CD74p41. In addition, we demonstrated that JWH-210 induced motor impairment and decrement of vesicle-associated membrane proteins 2 levels in the cerebellum of mice treated with tetanus toxin. Furthermore, cerebellar glutamatergic neuronal homeostasis was hampered by JWH-210 administration, as evidenced by increased glutamate concentration levels in the cerebellum. These results suggest that JWH-210 may increase the vulnerability to tetanus toxin via the regulation of immune function.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.7
• /
• pp.677-685
• /
• 2021

Cannabis sativa L. belongs to the Cannabaceae family and is an annual herbaceous flowing plant. The plants can be classified into narcotic marijuana and nonnarcotic hemp. Different parts of C. sativa L. have been used as food, medicine, cosmetics, fiber and textile. However, the use of leaf, flower, and seed of C. sativa L was forbidden in Korea in January 1977 as a result of the Cannabis Control Act due to the narcotic properties. The plant's mature stems have limited uses for the production of fiber and sheets. Recently, various cannabinoids, terpenes and essential fatty acids were identified from C. sativa L., and their safety and useful bio-activities, such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammation, antithrombosis, antiepileptic, and antimicrobial activities, and the relief of pain, have been highlighted. Furthermore, the process of reduction of tetrahydrocannabinol, a representative narcotic compound, and the isolation of cannabidiol, a nonnarcotic active compound in C. sativa L., have been determined. These findings resulted in the legalization of C. sativa L. in Korea for medical use in December 2018 and the exclusion of C. sativa L. from the narcotic list of the UN Commission on Narcotics Drugs (UNCND) in December 2020. Therefore, developments of various high-value added products have commenced worldwide. Additionally, in 2021, the Korean government deregulated special zones based on hemp. In this study, the current status and the prospect of the hemp industry, as well as essential techniques for developing new hemp products, are provided for the activation of the Korea Green-Rush.