A common liver herb produces a substance almost identical to THC from cannabis

Weeds are common plant species on the ground that spread their leaves on wood trunks and rocks. Nothing special so far, right? However, according to a recent study published in Science Advances on October 24th, this common hepatic herb produces a substance almost identical to the THC of Cannabis – Perrotetinene.

More specifically, not all liverworts contain Perrotetinene, but only the Radula genus of the liver, which covers about 300 species of this common weed, has the chemical compound similar to THC.

Perrotetinene is a substance chemically similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is commonly found in cannabis plants. However, despite its chemical similarity with THC, perrotetinene is not psychoactive, but it can relieve pain and inflammation much like THC.

Due to its chemical structure similar to that of THC, perrotetinene binds to the cannabinoid receptors of the brain where it alters the transmission of pain signals to the brain and mitigates its effects.

A common liver herb produces a substance almost identical to THC from cannabis

The recent study on Perrotetinene, the active substance in the mouse's common anime, was performed on mice, but researchers believe that the same results would be present in humans. Until now, scientists have simply ignored the hepatic.

"Nobody really notices liverworts because they are so small. Sometimes, important medicinal compounds are found in plants from unexpected sources, "said Douglas Kinghorn of the University of Ohio at Columbus for ScienceNews.

However, according to the researchers, only Radula perrottetii, Radula marginata, and Radula laxiramea subgenus contain high levels of Perrotetinene to produce antalgic and anti-inflammatory effects similar to THC. Radula marginatais also sold online as a "legal prize" in New Zealand and Tasmania.

However, as reported by the researchers, this could be quite wrong since Perrotetinene has no psychoactive effects.

With over seven years of experience in online journalism, Vadim is passionate about everything related to science and the environment. For us, it will cover, among other things, news on the climate, the environment and science.