Ethnopharmacology of products derived from Cannabis sativa

In recent decades it has been scientifically studied traditional uses of Cannabis sativa medical purposes. In this case ethnopharmacology as a specialization within ethnobiology it has been carried out by people trained in cultural anthropology, biology and medicine.

Cannabis sativa is an annual plant belonging to the family of cannabaceae small, cultivated since pre-classical antiquity for the production of fibers and seeds, as well as its euphoric effects farmacológinecos type in humans.

Its origin is Central Asian and has been naturalized from cultivation in various regions of our planet so that today may appear as a subespontáneo element in most of the territories that are temperate and tropical.

As is known, Cannabis sativa is a plant male and female flowers on different feet, this is called dioecious, with herbaceous stem reaching exceed three meters high, especially this occurs in male specimens. The leaves are so very characteristic, narrowly lanceolate and serrated margin, are oppositely in the basal region of the stem and alternate in the apical part.

To differentiate the male flowers of female must go to the concept of classical botany: the male flowers are grouped in panicles while the female inflorescence is a compact top and bracts stipulated observed. In addition, segregating women are characterized by a yellow-green resin containing different active principles responsible for their pharmacological properties.

Plant parts of Cannabis sativa. Author: Köhler

As most crops, the Cannabis sativa was highly variable shapes, this has been produced by artificial selection to the production of various elements such as fiber, seed or resin. Although wild or naturalized forms differ intersect smoothly and naturally this is due to the classification of the genus Cannabis is somewhat uncertain until now.

Several authors recognized the morphological basis of three different species, which should be referred to as Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis Janischewky Lamarck.

The first names, was created by a Swedish botanist in 1753, Linnaeus. Thus this name cultivated forms to obtain fiber or seed, the second is applied, due to a French naturalistic, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785, is applied to plants grown only for the use of the resin, while the latter correspond to wild or naturalized plants.

 Portrait of Carolus Linnaeus. Author: Alexander Roslin

Today the majority opinion lies in the consideration of Cannabis as a genre. This unique species, Cannabis sativa L. comprise two subspecies, which would be the subspecies sativa and indica subspecies, each of which should be recognized two varieties to accommodate forms cultivated and spontaneous or naturalized forms: Cannabis sativa subspecies sativa (the producer of fibers or poor seed oil and hemp active ingredients) and Cannabis sativa subspecies indica (resin producer and rich in active ingredients).

The variability in the amount of active ingredients produced by the plant since then is due to genetic factors, ie, by inheritance, but external factors such as weather, light and water, produce major changes in the production of these active ingredients .

In temperate climates, as is in the case of Spain, large amounts of Cannabis sativa for the use of the fibers of the stem by the paper industry and seeds, which provide up to 35% lipid by dry weight are useful in cultured the paint industry.

Cannabis sativa fibers. Author: Soerfm

It has also been selected a variety internationally known under the name of "seedless" grown in the absence of male plant to prevent pollination and thus collect at maturity the unfertilized female plant that increases the production of active ingredients.

Inflorescence female Cannabis sativa. Author: Rotbuche

In general, the products derived from Cannabis sativa are obtained by physical processes that allow crushed or pulverized by the party concerned, in this case, the most important to distinguish hemp from other species element is the trichomes. They are characteristic curved hairs thick wall whose base is widened and contains cystoliths, which are impregnated cellulosic bulges calcium carbonate. Are also very important glandular hairs, they secrete resin containing the characteristic active ingredients of Cannabis sativa. They are formed by a foot and a head secretory cells 8-16.

Cannabis sativa biogenesis

They have been isolated and identified some 360 ​​natural compounds derived from secondary metabolism of Cannabis sativa as essential oils, flavonoids, monosaccharides, fatty acids, polyphenols and nitrogen compounds, although it is possible that none of them act significantly in the pharmacological activity of the products derived from this plant. The active ingredients of the plant, are called cannabinoids, deriving from terpenofenoles. Cannabinoids are chemical structures widely distributed in nature but until today have not been able to isolate cannabinoids from any other plant or animal species other than Cannabis sativa. Cannabinoids are defined as a group of compounds which are formed by 21 atoms and present typical carbon Cannabis sativa. Cannabinoids are on the ground in the form of acid, are very unstable under conditions of light and temperature, plus storage conditions decarboxylated rapidly forming pharmacologically active ingredients.

Products derived from Cannabis sativa

In Pharmacopeia (official books of medicines, specific to each state and collecting medicinal substances most common or current use, as well as official and binding rules of how to combine them and prepare them) in most Western countries, drug was reflected as a constituent formed by the flowering tops and dried plant (excluding leaves and seeds) and that had not removed the resin.

As to buds it has the more common name "marijuana" or "kif" and mixed with snuff. It consists of flowers and leaves that are part of the female inflorescence and have been cutting and drying. The THC content is around 0.3 -2% and consumed by smoking mixed with snuff.

Sting or dust is known as "hash", "cost", "chocolate" and leaves essentially achieved and female flowers and having a bonding resins found in the glandular hairs covering these structures. As usual method is often hard pressed to get some pills. Hashish has between 4 and 11% THC.

The resin is obtained from the glandular hairs, by manual shaking of the plant. The presence of THC exceeds 50%. For the "hash oil" extraction of cannabinoids are contained in the glands is done, means of solvent such as gasoline are used and then the solvent is evaporated with a final product that may contain get 70 % of TCH.

Hashish oil. Author; Vjiced

Therapeutic use throughout the history of different civilizations

The oldest evidence found regarding use of Cannabis sativa by humans, it is a description on a compilation of Chinese medicine dating back to 2737 BC, the Emperor Shen Nung Herbal. In ancient Egypt the Cannabis sativa was described as a medicinal plant, it is present in ancient Egyptian papyri, was even used in suppositories to relieve the pain of hemorrhoids. Use of Cannabis sativa as intoxicating drug spread from China to India, where he was closely linked to religious rites. Hindu priests believed that the Cannabis sativa had a divine origin to regard it as the result of the metamorphosis of the hairs on the back of Vishnu and to designate the plant used names Vijahia which means "life production" and Ananda with a meaning of "source of happiness and success."

 Ancient Egyptian papyrus containing a recipe medicinal Cannabis sativa. Author: PEbers

From the years 700-800 BC, Herodotus realized the use of this plant in religious ceremonies held.

The Greeks and Romans knew the Cannabis sativa plant cultivation mainly as textile purposes. Also in the time of Caesar and Augustus, a drink he prepared and that relates to the treatment of otitis. In the second century AD, Galen cited as after lunch producing small loaves thirst but taken in excess intoxicating effects produced were distributed.

As has been shown, for millennia civilizations they have used the Cannabis sativa and its derivatives for the treatment of a large number of pathological conditions which currently fall under the name of neurological, psychiatric diseases; ie used as a sedative, anticonvulsant, analgesic and antitussive.

Some of the pharmacological effects that should be considered are: antiemetic effects that are useful to alleviate the reactions of antitumor therapy. Lowering effects of intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma, the anticonvulsant effects and antiepileptic drugs that are mainly derived from the presence of cannabinol in products of Cannabis sativa and a number of pharmacological effects that would justify minor uses as anti-asthmatic, analgesic and stimulant appetite as well as for the treatment of insomnia, hypertension and anxiety.

Bibliographic reference:

J, J. Meana and L. Pantoja. (2000). Cannabis-derived drugs or medication ?. Bilbao: University of Deusto.