Cannabis sativa: Phytochemistry-An updated Review
1 Department of Applied Botany, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri-574199, Mangalore, Karnataka State, India.
2 Department of Botany, Bangurnagar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Dandeli-581325, Karnataka State, India.
3 Mahasatee Arts, Commerce and Science College, Ulga. Karwar (Uttar Kannada). Karnataka State, India.
4 Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri- 574199, Mangalore (DK), Karnataka State, India.
Review
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2026, 11(01), 020-027.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2026.11.1.0012
Publication history:
Received on 2 December 2025; revised on 15 January 2026; accepted on 20 January 2026
Abstract:
This review paper highlights latest updates on the phytochemistry of Cannabis sativa. Cannabis sativa has been used for thousands of years in therapeutic, recreational, and cultural contexts. Cannabis sativa contains a peculiar class of phytochemicals known as phytocannabinoids, present almost exclusively in its inflorescences. Phytocannabinoids represent the most important and promising specialized/secondary metabolites from Cannabis sativa L. Furthermore, ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the corresponding acid tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are the main components of this class. The recently discovered cannabinoid ∆9 -Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (∆ 9 -THCP) was initially known as synthetic derivative, but has been successfully isolated from Cannabis sativa, resulting in a product 30 times more active than ∆9 -THC, the main psychotropic compound of Medical Cannabis sativa (marijuana). Another newly discovered cannabinoid has been called cannabitriol and can be considered a new CBD derivative. Further cannabinoids have recently been characterized, such as cannabiwinol CBDD, anhydrocannabimovone, isolated for the first time as a natural product, and three new hydroxylated CBD analogues: 1,2-dihydroxycannabidiol, 3,4-dehydro-1,2- dihydroxycannabidiol, and hexocannabitriol, obtained from the crystallization of CBD.
Keywords:
Cannabis Sativa; Cannabitriol; Cannabiwinol (CBDD); Cannabidiol (CBD); Cannabinol (CBN); Hemp; Phytocannabinoids
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