A cannabigerol-rich Cannabis sativa extract, devoid of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, elicits hyperphagia in rats

Brierley, D. I., Samuels, J., Duncan, M., Whalley, B. J. and Williams, C. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4452-671X (2017) A cannabigerol-rich Cannabis sativa extract, devoid of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, elicits hyperphagia in rats. Behavioural Pharmacology, 28 (4). pp. 280-284. ISSN 0955-8810 doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000285

Abstract/Summary

Objective: Non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids (pCBs) from Cannabis sativa may represent novel therapeutic options for cachexia due to their pleiotropic pharmacological activities, including appetite stimulation. We have recently shown that purified cannabigerol (CBG) is a novel appetite stimulant in rats. As standardised extracts from Cannabis chemotypes dominant in one pCB (botanical drug substances (BDS)) often show greater efficacy and/or potency than purified pCBs, we investigated the effects of a CBG-rich BDS, devoid of psychoactive ∆9-THC, on feeding behaviour. Methods: Following a 2 hour pre-feed satiation procedure, 16 male Lister-hooded rats were administered CBG-BDS (at 30-240 mg/kg) or vehicle. Food intake, meal pattern microstructure and locomotor activity were recorded over 2 hours. Results: Total food intake was increased by 120 and 240mg/kg CBG-BDS vs vehicle (1.53g and 1.36g, respectively, vs 0.56g; p<0.05 and p<0.01). Latency to feeding onset was dose-dependently decreased by all doses (p<0.05-0.01), and 120 and 240mg/kg doses increased both the number of meals consumed (p<0.01) and cumulative size of the first 2 meals (p<0.05 and p<.0.01). No significant effect was observed on ambulatory activity or rearing behaviour. Conclusions: CBG-BDS is a novel appetite stimulant, which may have greater potency than purified CBG, despite the absence of ∆9-THC in the extract.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/68891
Identification Number/DOI	10.1097/FBP.0000000000000285
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Neuroscience Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy > Division of Pharmacology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Nutrition and Health
Uncontrolled Keywords	Appetite; Cannabigerol; Cannabis; Feeding; Hyperphagia; Phytocannabinoid
Publisher	Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item