Researchers at Italy’s University of Salento have discovered two new cannabinoids – THCP and CBDP – and THCP could be more potent than THC, according to an outline of the study by the Growth Op. In tests on mice, researchers found that THCP showed “an affinity for CB1 receptor more than thirty-fold higher compared to the one reported for THC.”
“THCP is endowed of an even higher binding affinity for CB1 receptor and a greater cannabimimetic activity than THC itself.” – “A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol,” Nature Research, 2019
The other compound – CBDP – reportedly doesn’t bind well to CB1 or CB2 receptors which doesn’t make the cannabinoid a priority for further research; however, the researchers said that THCP “should be included in the list of the main phytocannabinoids to be determined for a correct evaluation of the pharmacological effect of the cannabis extracts administered to patients.”
According to the study, new research will continue to test how THCP cannabinoid acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-epileptic activity – the health benefits most associated with CBD.
The research brings the total number of discovered cannabinoids in the cannabis plant to 150, though the researchers note that “most of them have neither been isolated nor characterized.” The two new cannabinoids “were isolated and fully characterized” by researchers “and their absolute configuration was confirmed by a stereoselective synthesis.”
The researchers suggest that “other varieties of cannabis may contain even higher percentages” of THCP.
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