A study published in Pharmaceuticals examined cannabis compounds and discovered a new cannabinoid called cannabielsoxa. The cannabis plant contains over 560 potentially bioactive compounds, including over 125 compounds categorized as cannabinoids. Cannabis also contains over 34 flavonoids, 2 alkaloids, 42 phelonics, and roughly 120 terpenes (depending on the cannabis strain).
A team of South Korea-based government and university researchers evaluated 11 cannabis compounds for antitumor effects in neuroblastoma cells and found seven compounds demonstrated significant inhibitory activity. The researchers used chromatographic techniques to isolate a new cannabinoid and six known compounds. They also observed a new chlorin-type compound and three additional chlorine-type compounds. The research team identified 132-hydroxypheophorbide b ethyl ester and ligulariaphytin A as “chlorin-type compounds.” They then observed their molecular structures and used a metabolic testing method to assess their toxicity to neuroblastoma cells.
The findings could be used to inform the cannabinoid product development for the treatment of neuroblastoma. These newly discovered compounds as well as the five other known cannabinoids that include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiolic acid methyl ester (CBDA-ME), delta-8 THC and cannabichromene (CBG) could potentially offer antitumor effects against neuroblastomas. These cannabinoids demonstrated also demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antipsychotic, antifungal, anticancer, antidepressant, antiarrhythmic effects, analgesic, antibiotic, anticonvulsant, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antineoplastic activity, and antiemetic properties. The study's antitumor analysis showed that cannabinoid compounds had stronger inhibitory effects on neuroblastoma cells than chlorin-type compounds. The research team noted that the new cannabinoid cannabielsoxa was not potentially toxic to neuroblastoma cells.
The findings emphasize the need for additional future research studies that explore the effects of cannabinoids on the endocannabinoid system. This system regulates a range of brain functions such as mood, memory, and stress. In particular, future research focusing on cannabielsoxa will provide a critical understanding of this cannabinoid's role in influencing the endocannabinoid system.
Sources: Marijuana Moment, Pharmaceuticals
