Page 78 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

The most commonly described cannabinoids are:
1. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆ 9-THC, the psychoactive component of Cannabis).
2. Cannabidiol (CBD, that antagonizes the psychtropic effect of (∆ 9-THC in addition to its
analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects ).
3. Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabidiolic acid, Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene,
and small quantity of V.O. (Cannibene).
3- Flavonoids (canniflavone-1, canniflavone-2), cannabisativine alkaloid, and others.

Note:the concentration of THC varies in different parts of the plant, being higher in the
bracts, flowers and small leaves and lower in the stems, seeds and roots

Cannabis produces the best hemp (for fiber production) when grown in a temperate climate, whilst the
more active samples of Indian hemp are usually associated with warmer climates. Plant growth and
development, and often the nature and quantity of secondary metabolites, are affected by temperature,
rainfall, aspect, length of day (including the quality of light) and altitude. Such effects have been studied
by growing the plant in different climatic areas and observing variations (the seeds of cannabis, grown
in England were rich in CBD and devoid of THC, while seeds cultivated in Sudan started to produce
THC in the first generation and in the second generation contained up to 3.3% THC with a further
decrease (down to 0% in some plants) of CBD).

Cannabis evaluation:

The general view that cannabis preparations can be evaluated on their Δ9-THC content neglects other
active components, and in attempts to classify cannabis on the basis of its narcotic/fiber content a
number of systems, some very complex, have been devised. A relatively simple relationship
introduced by Waller is based on the combined Δ9-THC and cannabinol (CBN) in relation to
cannabidiol (CBD).
The phenotype is expressed as:

A sample with a value greater than 1 = a drug type of cannabis; a sample with a value less than 1
= a fiber type.

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