Synthetic, non-intoxicating 8,9-dihydrocannabidiol for the mitigation of seizures

Mascal, M., Hafezi, N., Wang, D., Hu, Y., Serra, G., Dallas, M. L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5190-0522 and Spencer, J. P. E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2931-7274 (2019) Synthetic, non-intoxicating 8,9-dihydrocannabidiol for the mitigation of seizures. Scientific Reports, 9 (1). 7778. ISSN 2045-2322 doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44056-y

Abstract/Summary

There can be a fine line between therapeutic intervention and substance abuse, and this point is clearly exemplified in herbal cannabis and its products. Therapies involving cannabis have been the treatment of last resort for some cases of refractory epilepsy, and this has been among the strongest medical justifications for legalization of marijuana. In order to circumvent the narcotic effects of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), many studies have concentrated on its less intoxicating isomer cannabidiol (CBD). However, CBD, like all natural cannabinoids, is a controlled substance in most countries, and its conversion into THC can be easily performed using common chemicals. We describe here the anticonvulsant properties of 8,9-dihydrocannibidiol (H2CBD), a fully synthetic analogue of CBD that is prepared from inexpensive, non-cannabis derived precursors. H2CBD was found to have effectiveness comparable to CBD both for decreasing the number and reducing the severity of pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats. Finally, H2CBD cannot be converted by any reasonable synthetic route into THC, and thus has the potential to act as a safe, noncontroversial drug for seizure mitigation.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/83509
Identification Number/DOI	10.1038/s41598-019-44056-y
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy > Division of Pharmacology
Publisher	Nature Publishing Group
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