The cannabis plant is incredibly complex, with hundreds of active compounds. Most people are familiar with THC and CBD. Minor cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, and THC-V are starting to make waves. But researchers in South Korea have identified a previously unknown cannabinoid in a rather surprising way.
A paper published in the journal Pharmaceuticals outlined the discovery. Researchers had been trying to determine which parts of the plants could have anti-tumor capabilities, particularly neuroblastomas. They did not set out to find new cannabinoids—but that’s what happened.
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The compound, called cannabielsoxa, was isolated from cannabis plants using chromatography. While researchers did not identify cannabielsoxa as particularly toxic to neuroblastomas, other isolated cannabinoids did show promise. This included CBD, CBDA, CBDA-ME, CBG, and delta-8 THC.
Two other compounds, hydroxypheophorbide b ethyl ester and ligulariaphytin A, were also found in cannabis for the first time. These derivatives of chlorophyll also revealed anti-tumor capabilities.
“The results of this study…suggest that these compounds have the potential to be developed into anti-neuroblastoma products,” the study authors wrote.
The discovery of cannabielsoxa could lead scientists to dive deeper into its role in cannabis—and its potential benefits. The overall results of the Korean study were also exciting in the continued fight against cancer since several cannabis compounds could have promise in destroying tumors.
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Cannabielsoxa among several new pot discoveries
Cannabielsoxa is just one of many new cannabis compounds revealing themselves in recent years. Some are found within the natural plant, while others are being developed by scientists looking to harness the powers of cannabis without any potential side effects.
For example, a team of researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Stanford University developed a cannabinoid meant to ease pain without psychoactive effects. The molecule, dubbed VIP36, interacts with the same receptors as THC and CBD but doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier. The scientists found VIP36 was an effective analgesic in mice, and didn’t seem to be mood-altering or addictive.
The cannabis plant may be thousands of years old, but there are still plenty of things to learn. As R&D into weed continues to accelerate, more will likely be revealed about the dynamic compounds within—and how they may help mankind.
