Comparison of Pharmacological Effects of Tetrahydrocannabinols and Their 11-Hydroxy-Metabolites in Mice

Abstract

Pharmacological effects (catalepsy, hypothermia, pentobarbital-induced sleep prolongation, anticonvulsant and analgesic effects) of Δ8- and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinols, and their 11-hydroxy-metabolites were evaluated and compared in mice. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol exhibited somewhat greater effects than did Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-hydroxy-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, respectively, in all pharmacological indices tested. Greater effects of 11-hydroxy-metabolites than those of tetrahydrocannabinols were also demonstrated. © 1990, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. All rights reserved.