Marihuana-like activity of new synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1975 Sep-Oct;3(5):849-53. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(75)90116-1.

Abstract

11-Methy-delta8-, 9-nor-delta8, and 9-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), newly synthesized cannabinoids which are not 11-hydroxyated in vivo, were tested for cannabinoid activity. Delta8-, delta9-THC and each synthetic analog produced static ataxia in unanesthetized dogs, hypotension and bradycardia in anesthetized dogs, and decreased spontaneous activity in mice. All synthetic analogs tested produced a greater degree of tolerance to the behavioral effect in dogs than did delta8-THC. 11-Methyl-delta8-THC was more effective than delta8-THC in decreasing spontaneous activity in mice, but was less active in producing the behavioral and cardiovascular effects in dogs. 9-nor-delta9-THC was less active than delta9-TCH, but 9-nor-delta8-THC was as active as delta8-THC in all observations. These results suggest that the 11-hydroxy metabolites of delta8- and delta 9-THC are not solely responsible for the biological activity of tetrahydrocannabinol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics
  • Animals
  • Ataxia / chemically induced
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cannabis / pharmacology*
  • Dogs
  • Dronabinol / analogs & derivatives
  • Dronabinol / metabolism
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Hexobarbital / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Quinones / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Reaction Time / drug effects
  • Sleep / drug effects

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Quinones
  • Dronabinol
  • Hexobarbital