Biomol Ther.  2015 Nov;23(6):597-603. 10.4062/biomolther.2015.057.

Neurotoxicity of Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-081 and JWH-210

• Cha HJ
• Seong YH
• Song MJ
• Jeong HS
• Shin J
• Yun J
• Han K
• Kim YH
• Kang H
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2380312
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2015.057

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-250 in 'herbal incense' also called 'spice' were first introduced in many countries. Numerous synthetic cannabinoids with similar chemical structures emerged simultaneously and suddenly. Currently there are not sufficient data on their adverse effects including neurotoxicity. There are only anecdotal reports that suggest their toxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the neurotoxicity of two synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-081 and JWH-210) through observation of various behavioral changes and analysis of histopathological changes using experimental mice with various doses (0.1, 1, 5 mg/kg). In functional observation battery (FOB) test, animals treated with 5 mg/kg of JWH-081 or JWH-210 showed traction and tremor. Their locomotor activities and rotarod retention time were significantly (p<0.05) decreased. However, no significant change was observed in learning or memory function. In histopathological analysis, neural cells of the animals treated with the high dose (5 mg/kg) of JWH-081 or JWH-210 showed distorted nuclei and nucleus membranes in the core shell of nucleus accumbens, suggesting neurotoxicity. Our results suggest that JWH-081 and JWH-210 may be neurotoxic substances through changing neuronal cell damages, especially in the core shell part of nucleus accumbens. To confirm our findings, further studies are needed in the future.

Keyword

Synthetic cannabinoid; Neurotoxicity; Functional observation battery; Motor function; Histopathology

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cannabinoids*
Learning
Membranes
Memory
Mice
Motor Activity
Neurons
Nucleus Accumbens
Traction
Tremor
Cannabinoids