Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabutol (tetrahydrocannabinol-C4, THC-C4, Δ9-THCB, (C4)-Δ9-THC, butyl-THC) is a phytocannabinoid found in cannabis that is a homologue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component of Cannabis.[1] Structurally, they are only different by the pentylside chain being replaced by a butyl side chain. THCB was studied by Roger Adams as early as 1942 [2]
Pharmacology
Δ9-THCB, showed an affinity for the human CB1 (Ki = 15 nM) and CB2 receptors (Ki = 51 nM) comparable to that of Δ9-THC.[1] The formalin test in vivo was performed on Δ9-THCB in order to reveal possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.[1] The tetrad test in mice showed a partial agonistic activity of Δ9-THCB toward the CB1 receptor.[1] THCB has rarely been isolated from cannabis samples,[1][3] but appears to be less commonly present than THC or THCV. It is metabolized in a similar manner to THC.[4]
Similarly to THC, it has 7 double bond isomers and 30 stereoisomers.[6] The Δ8 isomer is known as a synthetic cannabinoid under the code name JWH-130,[7] and the ring-opened analogue cannibidibutol (CBDB) is also known.[8] THC-Butyl can be synthesized from 4-butylresorcinol.[citation needed]
Legality
THCB is not scheduled internationally under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, but may be controlled under analogue law in some individual jurisdictions as a homologue of THC.
^ abcdeLinciano P, Citti C, Luongo L, Belardo C, Maione S, Vandelli MA, et al. (January 2020). "Isolation of a High-Affinity Cannabinoid for the Human CB1 Receptor from a Medicinal Cannabis sativa Variety: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabutol, the Butyl Homologue of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol". Journal of Natural Products. 83 (1): 88–98. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00876. PMID31891265. S2CID209519659.
^Harvey DJ (April 1976). "Characterization of the butyl homologues of delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol and cannabidiol in samples of cannabis by combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry". The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 28 (4): 280–285. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1976.tb04153.x. PMID6715. S2CID32734030.
^Brown NK, Harvey DJ (April 1988). "In vivo metabolism of the n-butyl-homologues of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol by the mouse". Xenobiotica; the Fate of Foreign Compounds in Biological Systems. 18 (4): 417–427. doi:10.3109/00498258809041678. PMID2840781.