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The effect of cannabinoids on intestinal motility and their antinociceptive effect in mice
Author(s) -
CHESHER G. B.,
DAHL C. J.,
EVERINGHAM M.,
JACKSON D. M.,
MARCHANTWILLIAMS H.,
STARMER G. A.
Publication year - 1973
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.1476-5381.1973.tb08534.x
Subject(s) - cannabidiol , cannabinol , pharmacology , delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol , nalorphine , morphine , cannabinoid , pethidine , chemistry , delta , analgesic , opioid , cannabis , medicine , (+) naloxone , biochemistry , receptor , psychiatry , engineering , aerospace engineering
Summary1 After oral administration to mice, pethidine, Δ 8 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Δ 9 ‐THC, a cannabis extract and cannabinol had a dose‐dependent antinociceptive effect when measured by the hot‐plate method. Cannabidiol was inactive at 30 mg/kg. Δ 8 ‐THC, Δ 9 ‐THC and pethidine did not differ significantly in potency, but Δ 9 ‐THC was 6·5 times more active than cannabinol. 2 After oral administration, three different cannabis extracts, Δ 8 ‐THC, Δ 9 ‐THC and morphine produced dose‐dependent depressions of the passage of a charcoal meal in mice. Δ 8 ‐THC and Δ 9 ‐THC were equipotent and were about five times less potent than morphine. Cannabidiol was inactive up to 30 mg/kg. The effect of the three cannabis extracts on intestinal motility could be accounted for by their Δ 9 ‐THC content. 3 The antinociceptive effect of pethidine and the effect of morphine on intestinal motility were antagonized by nalorphine whilst the effects of the cannabis extracts and the pure cannabinoids were not. 4 From these results it is concluded that although cannabis and the narcotics share several common pharmacological properties, the mode of action of each is pharmacologically distinct.