Cannabitwinol, a Dimeric Phytocannabinoid from Hemp, Cannabis sativa L., Is a Selective Thermo-TRP Modulator

J Nat Prod. 2020 Sep 25;83(9):2727-2736. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00668. Epub 2020 Sep 3.

Abstract

Cannabitwinol (CBDD, 3), the second member of a new class of dimeric phytocannabinoids in which two units are connected by a methylene bridge, was isolated from a hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) industrial extract. The structural characterization of cannabitwinol, complicated by broadening of 1H NMR signals and lack of expected 2D NMR correlations at room temperature, was fully carried out in methanol-d4 at -30 °C. All the attempts to prepare CBDD by reaction of CBD with formaldehyde or its iminium analogue (Eschenmoser salt) failed, suggesting that this sterically congested dimer is the result of enzymatic reactions on the corresponding monomeric acids. Analysis of the cannabitwinol profile of transient receptor potential (TRP) modulation evidenced the impact of dimerization, revealing a selectivity for channels activated by a decrease of temperature (TRPM8 and TRPA1) and the lack of significant affinity for those activated by an increase of temperature (e.g., TRPV1). The putative binding modes of cannabitwinol with TRPA1 and TRPM8 were investigated in detail by a molecular docking study using the homology models of both channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cannabinoids / biosynthesis
  • Cannabinoids / chemistry*
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
  • Cannabis / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • TRPA1 Cation Channel / drug effects
  • TRPM Cation Channels / drug effects
  • TRPV Cation Channels / drug effects
  • Temperature
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels / drug effects

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • TRPA1 Cation Channel
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPM8 protein, mouse
  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • TRPV1 protein, mouse
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels
  • Trpa1 protein, mouse