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Review
. 2021 Sep 24;14(10):965.
doi: 10.3390/ph14100965.

Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects of Phytocannabinoids and Recreational Synthetic Cannabinoids: Increasing Risk of Public Health

Vidyasagar Naik Bukke  1 , Moola Archana  1 , Rosanna Villani  1 , Gaetano Serviddio  1 , Tommaso Cassano  1
Affiliations
Review

Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects of Phytocannabinoids and Recreational Synthetic Cannabinoids: Increasing Risk of Public Health

Vidyasagar Naik Bukke et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). .

Abstract

Synthetic Cannabinoids (CBs) are a novel class of psychoactive substances that have rapidly evolved around the world with the addition of diverse structural modifications to existing molecules which produce new structural analogues that can be associated with serious adverse health effects. Synthetic CBs represent the largest class of drugs detected by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) with a total of 207 substances identified from 2008 to October 2020, and 9 compounds being reported for the first time. Synthetic CBs are sprayed on natural harmless herbs with an aim to mimic the euphoric effect of Cannabis. They are sold under different brand names including Black mamba, spice, K2, Bombay Blue, etc. As these synthetic CBs act as full agonists at the CB receptors, they are much more potent than natural Cannabis and have been increasingly associated with acute to chronic intoxications and death. Due to their potential toxicity and abuse, the US government has listed some synthetic CBs under schedule 1 classification. The present review aims to provide a focused overview of the literature concerning the development of synthetic CBs, their abuse, and potential toxicological effects including renal toxicity, respiratory depression, hyperemesis syndrome, cardiovascular effects, and a range of effects on brain function.

Keywords: 4F-MDMB-BICA; Cannabis sativa; Hebrew University (HU); John William Huffman (JWH); K2; MDMB-4en-PINACA; Mojo; bath salts; cloud 9; electronic cigarettes; herbal incense; phytocannabinoids; schedule 1 drugs; spice; synthetic cannabinoids.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare that none of the authors have a conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of study identification, screening, and selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of the endocannabinoids.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Toxicity of synthetic cannabinoids and their adverse effects.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Rimonabant (SR141716A)-Chemical structure of CB1 selective antagonist drug.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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