Tetrahydrocannabivarin
Encyclopedia
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, THV), also known as tetrahydrocannabivarol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid
found naturally in Cannabis sativa
. It is an analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). THCV can be used as a marker compound to differentiate between the consumption of hemp products and synthetic THC (e.g., Marinol).
, Nigeria
, Afghanistan
, India
, Pakistan
and Nepal
with THCV as high as 53.69% of total cannabinoids. They usually have moderate to high levels of both THC
and Cannabidiol
(CBD) and hence have a complex cannabinoid chemistry representing some of the world's most exotic cannabis varieties.
THCV can be found in a wide range of materials. Inbred lines in the GW programme have been derived from South African cannabis landraces, Chinese hemp seeds, and THC strains. Plants from the latter group are considered convenient to work with because they have very reasonable production characteristics. Cannabigerovarin (CBGV) can be formed instead of Cannabigerol (CBG)
when divarinolic acid is added the THCV instead of the more commonly added olivetolic acid.
It has been shown to be a CB1 receptor antagonist
, i.e. blocks the effects of THC
. In 2007 GW Pharmaceuticals announced that THCV is safe in humans in a clinical trial
and it will continue to develop THCV as a potential cannabinoid treatment for type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders, similar to the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant
.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that include the phytocannabinoids , and chemical compounds that mimic the actions of phytocannabinoids or have a similar structure...
found naturally in Cannabis sativa
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
. It is an analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Tetrahydrocannabinol , also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol , Δ1-THC , or dronabinol, is the main chemical psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. It was first isolated in 1964. In pure form, it is a glassy solid when cold, and becomes viscous and sticky if warmed...
(THC). THCV can be used as a marker compound to differentiate between the consumption of hemp products and synthetic THC (e.g., Marinol).
Description
THCV is found in largest quantities in Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa strains. Some varieties that produce propyl cannabinoids in significant amounts, over five percent of total cannabinoids, have been found in plants from South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
with THCV as high as 53.69% of total cannabinoids. They usually have moderate to high levels of both THC
THC
THC commonly refers to tetrahydrocannabinol, the main active chemical compound in Cannabis.THC may also refer to:* Tan Holdings Corporation...
and Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid found in Cannabis. It is a major constituent of the plant, representing up to 40% in its extracts.It has displayed sedative effects in animal tests...
(CBD) and hence have a complex cannabinoid chemistry representing some of the world's most exotic cannabis varieties.
THCV can be found in a wide range of materials. Inbred lines in the GW programme have been derived from South African cannabis landraces, Chinese hemp seeds, and THC strains. Plants from the latter group are considered convenient to work with because they have very reasonable production characteristics. Cannabigerovarin (CBGV) can be formed instead of Cannabigerol (CBG)
Cannabigerol
Cannabigerol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the Cannabis genus of plants. Cannabigerol is found in higher concentrations in hemp rather than in varieties of Cannabis with high THC content ....
when divarinolic acid is added the THCV instead of the more commonly added olivetolic acid.
It has been shown to be a CB1 receptor antagonist
Receptor antagonist
A receptor antagonist is a type of receptor ligand or drug that does not provoke a biological response itself upon binding to a receptor, but blocks or dampens agonist-mediated responses...
, i.e. blocks the effects of THC
THC
THC commonly refers to tetrahydrocannabinol, the main active chemical compound in Cannabis.THC may also refer to:* Tan Holdings Corporation...
. In 2007 GW Pharmaceuticals announced that THCV is safe in humans in a clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
and it will continue to develop THCV as a potential cannabinoid treatment for type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders, similar to the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant
Rimonabant
Rimonabant is an anorectic antiobesity drug that has been withdrawn from the market. It is an inverse agonist for the cannabinoid receptor CB1...
.
See also
- CannabinoidsCannabinoidsCannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that include the phytocannabinoids , and chemical compounds that mimic the actions of phytocannabinoids or have a similar structure...
- CannabisCannabisCannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
- Medical marijuana
- RimonabantRimonabantRimonabant is an anorectic antiobesity drug that has been withdrawn from the market. It is an inverse agonist for the cannabinoid receptor CB1...
(synthetic CB1 antagonist)
External links
- Erowid Compounds found in Cannabis sativa
- www.tetrahydrocannabivarin.com Article on THCV