Lessons Learned from the Complexity of Cannabis Profiling

Shmuel Mandel, Cannasoul Analytics, Caesarea, Israel

The cannabis plant is known for its unique terpenophenolic compounds termed phytocannabinoids. More than 140 phytocannabinoids are found in the plant in addition to a milieu of terpenoids, flavonoids and other compounds. Moreover, hundreds of Cannabis cultivars and hybrids exist worldwide, each with a unique and distinct chemical profile. To comprehend the medicinal and pharmacological effects of the whole plant, we developed methods to identify and comprehensively profile the compounds of the plant and to match the best combination to a specific disease or indication. Like cannabis, other medicinal plants and fungi synthesize many chemically complex substances by means of secondary metabolite pathways. Using the lessons learned from cannabis profiling and screening, we can now profile and learn a variety of compounds from other plants or fungi. One example is the tryptamine-producing fungi, better known as “magic mushrooms” due to the psychedelic tryptamine derivative psilocybin. These fungi produce many other tryptamine class compounds that have yet to be characterized but are believed to possess high therapeutic potential. We were able to characterize more than 40 tryptamines from these mushrooms until now and are starting to unveil their effects in a variety of disease models.