Cannabigerol: The Stem Cell of Cannabis

Within the Cannabis plant, a sequence of events begins with a small “cell” whose evolution results in more than 100 molecules with different characteristics and functions.

A stem or pluripotent cell divides and differentiates into many other cells with diverse functions and structures in humans. It also occurs within the cannabis plant at the molecular level.

The difference is that the cannabis stem cell corresponds to a non-psychoactive cannabinoid known as cannabigerol (CBG). We can find it within the plant as cannabigerol acid (CBGA). It is produced from olivetolic acid and a chemical intermediate of the mevalonate metabolism (cholesterol metabolism) through an enzyme-mediated reaction.

CBGA acts as the parent cannabinoid, or precursor, for the acid forms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabichromene (CBC), the three main phytocannabinoids from which other cannabinoids derive.

However, that is not its only function. Recent research reveals that this cannabinoid has medicinal properties with potential use for different diseases, such as the following:

Anti-inflammatory: This cannabinoid has demonstrated effectiveness in animal models with inflammatory conditions in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract in allergic and non-allergic conditions. Its primary use is to treat colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition.

Neuroprotective and Neuromodulator: CBG interactions with different receptors can reduce the severity of neurological diseases such as Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.

Antibacterial: CBG inhibits the reproduction and growth of bacteria such as Streptococcus mutants which corresponds to the primary causal agent of caries and other dental diseases.

Antiviral: Recent research results indicate that CBGA, together with CBDA, inhibits the entry of SARS-COV-2 virus variants into human epithelial cells.

Antiproliferative: Studies in cell cultures have demonstrated its apoptotic, anti-invasive, and cytotoxic capacity in cells of malignant neoplasms such as glioblastoma, which corresponds to the most aggressive brain tumor.

Considering the properties mentioned above, we can say that CBG not only has the critical function of a cannabis stem cell, but it can also be part of cannabis-based treatments for different diseases.

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