Examining the anxiolytic potential of Cannabis terpenes: The differential effects of alpha-pinene enantiomers on zebrafish anxiety-like behaviour and locomotion

Abstract

Research into the effects of terpenes has been on the rise as a result of the recent Cannabis legalization in Canada. Cannabis terpenes have been shown to possess a wide range of medicinal properties and may be promising therapeutics for a variety of pathological conditions. This study investigated the acute effects of α-pinene on zebrafish locomotion and anxiety-like behaviour using the open field exploration test. α-pinene was administered in 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.1% doses. As α-pinene is a racemic compound, we also tested its (+) and (−) enantiomers to observe any differential effects. α-pinene demonstrated differential dose-dependent effects on anxiety-like and motor variables. Specifically, (+)-α-pinene and (−)-α-pinene had significant effects on anxiety measures at different doses in the open field test (time spent in the thigmotaxis and center zone), as well as locomotor variables (swimming velocity and immobility). (+ /−)-α-pinene showed only a small effect on the open field test on immobility at the 0.1% dose. This study demonstrates that α-pinene can have a sedative or anxiolytic effect in zebrafish and may have different medicinal properties when isolated into its (+) or (−) enantiomers.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Trevor Hamilton