Pollastro F, Caprioglio D, Del Prete D, et al. Cannabichromene. Natural Product Communications. 2018;13(9):1934578X1801300. doi:10.1177/1934578×1801300922
What Is Cannabichromene (CBC)?
Cannabichromene (CBC, 1a) is one out of over 100 phytocannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant; it also occurs in unrelated plants, such as the Rhododendron species and fungi. CBC has a diverse chemistry, and a rich pharmacological potential that is not very well-known compared to the other phytocannabinoids—such as cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)— found in the cannabis plant. CBC was first isolated from the Cannabis sativa L. plant in 1966, two years before THC was initially isolated. CBC is considered one of the “big four” cannabinoids found in cannabis, along with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabigerol (CBG).
CBC’s concentration is much lower (i.e., 0.2% to 0.3%) than the other big four phytocannabinoids found in cannabis; its physical properties were originally thought to be an active crystalline compound, but CBC is a gum or an oil.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of CBC
CBC has been found to improve colitis, and lower inflammation-induced intestinal hypermobility in rodents; but neither TRPA1, an ion channel located on the plasma membrane of many human and animal cells, nor cannabinoid receptors were involved in this activity.
CBC showed very strong anti-inflammatory effects in animals with paw edema, producing a more potent anti-inflammatory effect than oral phenylbutazone, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Study and Findings
In a study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of phytocannabinoids used in the treatment of acne, CBC along with other cannabinoids such as CBDV and THCV, were selected as the best treatment options to normalize excess sebaceous oil production—produced by pro-acne agents—alleviate inflammation, and lower proliferation. Although preliminary studies show that CBC has potential to effectively treat various types of inflammatory disorders, there is an overall limited amount of information available on the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of CBC.
Link to article: https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578×1801300922
English 
Japanese 
Spanish