Harvesting pharmaceutical-grade hemp in Switzerland
Keystone
A psychoactive THC-like substance from liverwort, which is consumed as a legal high, also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects which might be superior to those of THC from hemp, say scientists in Bern and Zurich.
Certain liverworts, a type of moss, from Japan, New Zealand and Costa Rica contain a substance called perrottetinene that is very similar to the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from cannabis. The liverworts therefore sometimes circulate as legal intoxicants.
A research team led by Jürg Gertsch at the University of Bern and Erick Carreira at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich has now compared perrottetinene and THC biochemically and pharmacologically.
In the journal Science AdvancesExternal link, the researchers report that perrottetinene may be superior to the cannabis drug THC for therapeutic purposes. In low doses, THC is used in various chronic conditions to relieve pain, inflammation, muscle cramps and nausea. However, THC is highly psychoactive in higher doses, so it is considered an illegal drug and is therefore tightly regulated.
Advantages over cannabis
Perrottetinene could prove to be a better alternative for medicine, the scientists believe. Using animal models, they were able to demonstrate that perrottetinene reaches the brain very easily and that, once there, it specifically activates cannabinoid receptors.
“This natural substance has a weaker psychoactive effect and, at the same time, is capable of inhibiting inflammatory processes in the brain,” Carreira said.
In particular, in contrast to THC, perrottetinene inhibits the prostaglandins in the brain which are factors causing inflammation.
However, the researchers emphasise that further studies are needed to better understand the effects and potential side-effects of perrottetinene.
More
More
Cannabis: the comeback of a banned medicine
This content was published on
A multimedia investigation of the potential and limits of one of the most controversial plants of all time.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Swiss investigate four people linked to Russian oligarch
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is investigating four individuals linked to Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov.
Swiss government scrambles to deal with egg shortage
This content was published on
From September 1, more eggs intended for consumption may be imported into Switzerland. In allowing this, the government wants to secure the supply of eggs for consumers.
This content was published on
Agricultural research sees new development opportunities for Swiss sparkling wines in the face of declining wine consumption. In a survey, half of consumers expressed a willingness to pay more for local products than for foreign ones.
Locarno spotlights filmmakers from South America and Caribbean
This content was published on
The Open Doors section of the Locarno Film Festival has named the winners for 2024. The spotlight is on the South American and Caribbean regions.
Storm paralyses trains to popular Swiss tourist resort
This content was published on
The railway line between Zweilütschinen and Grindelwald in central Switzerland is expected to remain closed until Friday following heavy rains.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Cannabis products sold in Lidl Switzerland
This content was published on
Hemp containing active ingredient cannabidiol (CBD) can now be bought in Swiss branches of German discount supermarket chain Lidl.
This content was published on
Former interior minister Ruth Dreifuss, nicknamed “dealer of the nation” for introducing ground-breaking drug policies, is one of the figureheads of the country’s legalisation campaign. One of her suggestions is to set up cannabis clubs, a concept her native Geneva is spearheading in Switzerland. Larger cities like Geneva, Bern, Basel and Zurich have created an…
This content was published on
The move, which brings Switzerland in line with other European countries that tolerate dope smoking in small amounts, comes four years after voters rejected a plan to decriminalise cannabis. Following several rounds of discussions in both parliamentary chambers, the House of Representatives agreed to align with the Senate on Thursday, paving the way for the…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.