Tetrahydrocannabivarin

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ImageFile=Thcv.svg
ImageSize=250px
IUPACName=6,6,9-trimethyl-3-propyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydrobenzo [c] chromen-1-ol
OtherNames=Tetrahydrocannabivarol
Section1= Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=28172-17-0
ChemSpiderID = 31500
PubChem=34180
SMILES=CCCC1=CC2=C(C3C=C(CCC3C(O2)(C)C)C)C(=C1)O
Section2= Chembox Properties
Formula=C₁₉H₂₆O₂
MolarMass=286.41
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Tetrahydrocannabivarin, also known as tetrahydrocannabivarol, THCV, or THV, is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in the hemp plant "Cannabis sativa". It is an analog of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with the sidechain shortened by two CH₂ groups. THCV can be used as a marker compound to differentiate between the consumption of hemp products and synthetic THC (Dronabinol, Marinol).

Natural occurrence

THCV is found in largest quantities in "Cannabis sativa" subsp. "indica" strains. Some varieties that produce propyl cannabinoids in significant amounts, over five percent of total cannabinoids, have been found in plants from South Africa, Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nepal with THCV as high as 53.69% of total cannabinoids. [ Turner, C.E., Hadley, K.W., and Fetterman, P. 1973. Constituents of Cannabis Sativa L., VI: Propyl Homologues in Samples of Known Geographical Origin. J. Pharm. Sci. 62(10):1739-1741] They usually have moderate to high levels of both THC and Cannabidiol (CBD) and hence have a complex cannabinoid chemistry representing some of the world's most exotic cannabis varieties. [Deluxe Marijuana Grower's Guide, by Mel Frank [revised edition 1997] pg.37]

Pharmaceutical properties

It has been shown to be a CB1 antagonist, "i.e." blocks the effects of THC. [cite journal |author=Pertwee RG, Thomas A, Stevenson LA, "et al" |title=The psychoactive plant cannabinoid, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is antagonized by Delta8- and Delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin in mice in vivo |journal=Br. J. Pharmacol. |volume=150 |issue=5 |pages=586–94 |year=2007 |pmid=17245367 |doi=10.1038/sj.bjp.0707124] In 2007 GW Pharmaceuticals announced that THCV is safe in humans in a clinical trial and it will continue to develop THCV as a potential cannabinoid treatment for type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders, similar to the CB1-antagonist rimonabant. [Press Release by GW Pharmaceuticals [http://www.gwpharm.com/news_press_releases.asp?id=/gwp/pressreleases/currentpress/2008-01-22a/] ]

See also

* Cannabinoids
* Cannabis
* Medical marijuana
* Rimonabant (synthetic CB1 antagonist)

Notes

External links

* [http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_info2.shtml Erowid] Compounds found in "Cannabis sativa"
* [http://www.tetrahydrocannabivarin.com www.tetrahydrocannabivarin.com] Article on THCV