A low-Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis extract induces hyperphagia in rats

Behav Pharmacol. 2010 Dec;21(8):769-72. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0b013e328340a062.

Abstract

Appetite stimulation via partial agonism of cannabinoid type 1 receptors by Δtetrahydrocannabinol (ΔTHC) is well documented and can be modulated by non-ΔTHC phytocannabinoids. ΔTHC concentrations sufficient to elicit hyperphagia induce changes to both appetitive (reduced latency to feed) and consummatory (increased meal one size and duration) behaviours. Here, we show that a cannabis extract containing too little ΔTHC to stimulate appetite can induce hyperphagia solely by increasing appetitive behaviours. Twelve, male Lister hooded rats were presatiated before treatment with a low-ΔTHC cannabis extract (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg). Hourly intake and meal pattern data were recorded and analyzed using one-way analyses of variance followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests. The cannabis extract significantly increased food intake during the first hour of testing (at 4.0 mg/kg) and significantly reduced the latency to feed versus vehicle treatments (at doses ≥1.0 mg/kg). Meal size and duration were unaffected. These results show only the increase in appetitive behaviours, which could be attributed to non-ΔTHC phytocannabinoids in the extract rather than ΔTHC. Although further study is required to determine the constituents responsible for these effects, these results support the presence of non-ΔTHC cannabis constituent(s) that exert a stimulatory effect on appetite and likely lack the detrimental psychoactive effects of ΔTHC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / toxicity*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dronabinol / toxicity*
  • Hyperphagia / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Rats

Substances

  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Dronabinol