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The ring test: a quantitative method for assessing the ‘cataleptic’ effect of cannabis in mice
Author(s) -
PERTWEE R. G.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1972.tb06900.x
Subject(s) - delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol , cannabis , cannabidiol , dronabinol , cannabinol , pharmacology , potency , tetrahydrocannabinol , cannabinoid , effects of cannabis , placebo , chemistry , medicine , in vitro , receptor , biochemistry , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary1 . A bioassay for cannabis, called the ring test, has been developed in which the percentage of the total time spent on a horizontal wire ring during which a mouse remains completely immobile is recorded. 2 . The effect of cannabis on mobility is a dose‐related, graded response. 3 . Threshold doses of cannabis extract are 12·5 mg/kg when injected intravenously, and 100 mg/kg when injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. 4 . The method provides a measure of the ‘cataleptic’ effect of cannabis. Chlorpromazine in doses of 1 mg/kg upwards also produces the effect but barbitone does not. 5 . It is concluded that Δ 1 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 1 ‐THC) is largely responsible for the effect of cannabis extract on mobility; the potency ratio of Δ 1 ‐THC to cannabis extract is between 10 and 20. Δ 1 ‐Tetrahydrocannabidivarol (Δ 1 ‐THD) also affects mobility but is less active than Δ 1 ‐THC. Cannabidiol has no effect when injected intraperitoneally in doses up to 100 mg/kg.