Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) have successfully designed a cannabis plant with increased amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other medically significant compounds in collaboration with Mariana Bioscience Ltd. in Israel.
The researchers were able to elevate the amounts of THC, the principal psychoactive component in cannabis, by about 17 percent and CBG (cannabigerol), often known as "the mother of all cannabinoids," by nearly 25 percent. Mariana Bioscience Ltd., a global pioneer in the genetic cannabis research area, partnered with and funded the researchers in Professor Alexander (Sasha) Vainstein's laboratory at the HU Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Vainstein's group also increased the terpene ratio by 20-30%. Terpenes enhance the euphoric feeling of marijuana.
The goal of the study was to intervene in the metabolic pathways of the cannabis plant in order to promote or reduce active drug synthesis. They achieved this for the first time by modifying a neutralized plant-based virus so that it could not harm the plant and then expressing the genes that control the synthesis of active chemicals.
According to Vainstein, it was close to impossible to customize the strains to generate certain cannabis compounds or change the ratio between them before this research took place. Vainstein also claimed that the results from this study will not just be beneficial to the cannabis industry (as it will enhance the output of active substances) but will also help medical researchers to create and produce new strains for medicinal marijuana users.
More thorough trials with the modified plant are presently ongoing, with results expected in the coming months for cannabis business leaders and medical research. In addition to the more than 200 active compounds that have already been found, there is a lot of research going on right now to find new chemicals and medicinal therapies that can be extracted from the cannabis plant.
What are some of the most important compounds in the Cannabis Sativa plant?
The Cannabis Sativa plant contains more than 120 different compounds, many of which have medicinal properties. The most well-known of these is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the plant's psychoactive effects. It's what gives folks a "high" feeling. Our bodies have two types of cannabinoid receptors. THC attaches to receptors in the brain that regulate pain, mood, and other emotions. THC is just one of a class of compounds known as cannabinoids, many of which have potential therapeutic applications.
For example, cannabidiol (CBD) is known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while cannabinol (CBN) has shown promise as an antibacterial agent. CBN is formed when THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid, is broken down. It's somewhat psychoactive, but it doesn't get you high as THC does.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is yet another compound present in the Cannabis sativa plant. Like some of the other compounds in this plant, it has no effect on thinking. It has the potential to decrease cholesterol, protect the brain and nerves, and minimize swelling by influencing specific molecules in the body. CBG is being studied for abnormal cholesterol or blood fat levels, Huntington's disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and hunger stimulation. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give cannabis its characteristic smell. They also affect the way that THC binds to receptors in the brain, which contributes to the plant’s psychoactive effects. Similarly, flavonoids are responsible for the plant’s vibrant colors and can also modulate THC’s effects.
Research into the medical potential of Cannabis Sativa is ongoing, and it is likely that even more therapeutic uses for this fascinating plant will be discovered in the years to come.
About Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel's main academic and research institution is the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It generates a third of Israel's civilian research and is rated 12th in the world in biotechnology patent filings and commercial development, with 24,000 students from 80 countries. The Hebrew University's faculty and graduates have received eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. Please visit the Hebrew University website for further details.
