A peer-reviewed scientific study entitled “Effects of Rare Phytocannabinoids on the Endocannabinoid System of Human Keratinocytes” has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The study, in collaboration with Dr. Mauro Maccarrone, Professor and Chair of Biochemistry at the Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Italy, highlights the biological activity of tetrahydrocannabivarin (“THCV”), cannabichromene (“CBC”) and other rare cannabinoids and their potential role in addressing various skin conditions.

In the peer-reviewed study, researchers analyzed the effects of rare cannabinoids THCV, CBC, cannabigerol (“CBG”) and cannabigerolic acid (“CBGA”) on the major endocannabinoid system elements in skin cells. Using a widely recognized in vitro model of human keratinocytes, researchers studied how these cannabinoids interacted with several receptors including cannabinoid receptors and other endocannabinoid system components. In summary, each cannabinoid had distinct biological activity via the endocannabinoid system. In particular, THCV was shown to perform as a cannabinoid receptor 1 (“CB1”) antagonist and have a high affinity for the human transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (“TRPV1”), which is involved in skin sensation, as did CBC albeit to a lesser extent. The results from the study support additional research of these rare cannabinoids for their potential effect on skin conditions.

The journal article can be accessed here: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/10/5430