When you think of cannabis treatment, the first compounds that come to mind are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). With both research and development excelling for both, researchers have discovered other less-known compounds that have significant health benefits.
Medicinal cannabis drug development company Bod Australia Ltd (ASX: BOD) has successfully completed a proof of concept study into the use and efficiency of a brand new cannabinoid called CBG (cannabigerol).
Like THC and CBD, CBG is extracted from the cannabis plant but is found in much smaller quantities – with every plant containing only 1% of CBG, as opposed to 20 to 30% for THC and CBD. This makes consumer products derived from this cannabinoid rarer and often more expensive.
CBG works by binding to two types of cannabinoid receptors – CB1 and CB2 – where it is thought to strengthen the function of anandamide. This neurotransmitter enhances pleasure and motivation, regulating both appetite and sleep, and alleviating pain. Unlike THC, CBG is a non-intoxicating compound and won’t get users ‘high’. Through the studies, the extract has been shown to be most beneficial in the treatment of:
- Anxiety
- Fibromyalgia – a condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness within the body.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – a condition that causes inflammation and ulcers along the lining of intestines.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – a disorder that causes internal cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhoea.
Bod’s proof of concept study was completed over three months to assess safety and efficiency in patients suffering from the conditions listed above. The data from the trials highlighted that 74% of participants reported noticeable improvements within two to four weeks of daily use.
“The completion of this initiative has highlighted that MediCabilis™ CBG 50 is both safe and effective for use across a range of new symptoms that our product has not been previously prescribed for,” said Bod CEO, Jo Patterson.
The study has formed the groundwork to launch a new medical cannabis product that will sell under the brand name ‘MediCabilis™ CBG 50’, with a launch date of June 2022; this will also mark the first time a company distributes a pharmaceutical-grade CBG product in Australia and the United Kingdom.
The Company has several existing collaborations with leading research partners to advance the use of CBD. Recently, Bod secured its Clinical Trial Authorisation from the UK’s Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to commence clinical trials in association with UK’s leading independent scientific drug body Drug Science UK. The clinical trials will support the effectiveness of Bod’s CBD product ‘MediCabilis™5%’ effectiveness in treating the impact of long-COVID, with patient recruitment already underway.
“The Company continues to make very pleasing progress on its R&D initiatives. We are very confident that outcomes from our clinical trial pipeline trials will create meaningful opportunities in drug and product development for our own brands and potential licensing agreements with large pharmaceutical companies and other enterprises.”