Is CBL a cannabinoid?
Cannabicyclol (CBL) is a compound found in cannabis. Many describe the substance as a phytocannabinoid, although CBL has no activity at cannabinoid receptors. The definition of the molecule as a cannabinoid involves a chemical perspective rather than a pharmacological interpretation.
Definition of CBL as a cannabinoid
From a drug perspective, the receptor that the ingredient targets is critical to definition. However, there is another way to define cannabinoid activity without changing the word “cannabinoid”. Chemically, CBL comes from the breakdown of another cannabinoid – cannabichromene (CBC).
However, both compounds are not naturally produced by cannabis. CBL is a photochemical derived from CBC. And cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) is broken down into CBC.
And CBC and CBG are both CB2 receptor agonists and cannabinoids, depending on their molecular structure and natural origin. Therefore, relatives of CBGa – including inactive compounds like cannabicyclol – are also cannabinoids.
CBL (cannabicyclol.)
Cannabicyclol Chemistry
CBL only occurs when CBC reacts or oxidizes with UV light or heat. Cannabicyclol is free of double bonds in its left ring. In addition, the molecule consists of two conjugated rings – a tetrahydropyran and a benzene ring. This means that cannabicyclol is a bicyclic compound.
Importantly, CBL has only one hydroxyl group, which is at the southern position of the molecule. Hydroxyl groups are crucial components that allow, for example, THC to bind to the orthostatic site of the CB1 receptor.
cannabinoids to a pharmacist
The lack of activity can be addressed by the lack of a suffix. International Non-proprietary Names (INNs) are used to define pharmacological activity in a clinical setting. And the suffix nab already defines cannabinoid receptor activity.
Pharmaceutical companies used the suffix nab, derived from the INN system, for plastics such as nabilone. But the suffix also defines phytocannabinoids in the official language. In summary, cannabicyclol is a cannabinoid but not a known cannabinoid nab like cannabinol.
The literature documents CBL poorly (1) with little information on the effects of the phytocannabinoid. More research is needed to assess the role of this cannabinoid in human health.
Sources
- Morales P, Hurst DP, Reggio PH. Molecular targets of phytocannabinoids: A complex picture. Prog. Chem. Org. Nat. Prod. 2017;103:103-131. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_4
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