Psychopharmacological activity of the active constituents of hashish and some related cannabinoids.

Abstract

1. The psychopharmacological activity of Δ1-tetrahydrocannabinol, (I); Δ1(6)-tetrahydrocannabinol (4′ hexyl), (II); Δ1(6)-tetrahydrocannabinol, (III); 1-ethoxyhexahydrocannabinol, (IV); 8-ethoxy-iso-hexahydrocannabinol, (V); Δ1(6)-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid Me ester, Isomer I, (VI); Δ1(6)-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid Me ester, Isomer II, (VII); cannabigerol, (VIII); Δ1(6)-tetrahydrocannabinol (3′ hexyl), (IX); cannabichromene, (X); has been examined in a variety of animal species. 2. Compounds (I) and (III) caused severe motor disturbances and a stuporous state in dogs and ptosis, “tameness” and peculiar postural changes in monkeys. In the latter animal, compound (II) elicited similar effects. 3. Compounds (I) and (III) after intraperitoneal but not subcutaneous administration, suppressed the gerbil digging activity; reduced the rat conditioned avoidance response and induced a cataleptoid reaction in mice, rats and gerbils. In addition, compound (I) reduced the performance of mice on the rotating-rod. Both compounds, administered subcutaneously, induced a measurable ataxic gait in rats. 4. Amphetamine reversed the behavioural changes elicited by compounds (I) and (III) in monkeys, as well as the cataleptoid reaction in rats. 5. None of the other compounds provoked observable changes in any of the species studied. 6. It is suggested that Rhesus monkeys might serve as a suitable model for assessing the psychopharmacological activity of active cannabinoids.