Study: the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of terpenes

Among the recognized medical effects of cannabis are the cannabinoids are used primarily for their anti-inflammatory effects. However, they are not the only components of the cannabis plant that have this effect. Terpenes, which have been studied somewhat less extensively, are the molecules responsible for the flavor and aroma of cannabis.

According to a new study published in TThe Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, these compounds are also believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect, though one that differs from that of cannabinoids. Israeli researchers had previously conducted a study on the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive (pain-sensitivity) properties of cannabidiol (CBD). They used the same methodology to compare the effects of terpenes to those of CBD.

Terpenes: The Overlooked Subject of Research

While research on the components of cannabis is becoming increasingly extensive, we still know very little about terpenes. «While studies have focused on THC and the anti-inflammatory effects of other major components of cannabis, such as CBD, the effects of the aromatic compounds—terpenes—have been largely overlooked.» Some studies suggest that these compounds have pharmacological effects, though little is yet known about their mechanism of action.

Some terpenes are unique to cannabis, but others are also found elsewhere in the plant kingdom. At least 230 different terpenoids have been identified in the cannabis plant, but a single plant typically contains only about 50 of them. The terpenes in cannabis are determined by the plant’s genetics, with the terpene profile corresponding to a specific genotype. From a physiological standpoint, terpenes protect the plant from predators and attract pollinating insects. From a pharmacological standpoint, they are believed to have the ability to influence the properties of other cannabinoids. This is partly what is known as the entourage effect.

Method and Results

For the purposes of the study, terpenoid-rich samples derived from three hemp varieties with different terpene profiles were prepared. The varieties in question are Tisza, Felina, and Ferimon, all of which are grown in Europe. After extracting the terpenoids, the researchers studied their effects on cells (in vitro) and on mice (in vivo).

The mice were injected with a specific enzyme that causes inflammation, including swelling in the paw. They were then administered terpenes to observe whether the inflammation decreased. The study concluded that the terpenes had moderate anti-inflammatory properties, regardless of the dosage. The Felina profile proved to be less effective than the other two varieties in reducing swelling, and only the Tisza profile was found to have antinociceptive properties. However, these properties are significantly less potent than those of CBD.

The difference in potency between CBD and terpenes appears to be due to a different mechanism of action. While CBD significantly reduces TNF-α (antibody) production in vitro—suggesting it has a long-term anti-inflammatory effect—terpenes have no effect on this production. «This suggests that terpenoids exert their anti-inflammatory effect through a mechanism different from that used by cannabinoids,» the researchers explain.

In conclusion, the researchers were able to demonstrate that terpenes have anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects and that these effects vary depending on the terpene profile. This is an important finding for medical cannabis research aimed at determining the optimal ratios for the formulation of medications. Finally, terpenes do not have an immunosuppressive effect, suggesting that they are not effective in the long term: «We suggest that terpenes can be used to reduce acute inflammation, whereas cannabinoids inhibit the symptoms of chronic inflammation.».