Scientists Find First Evidence of Rare Compounds in Cannabis Leaves

Scientists in South Africa say they have found the first evidence of a rare class of phenolics, called ‘flavoalkaloids’, in leaves from the cannabis plant.

Phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, are well-known and sought after in the pharmaceutical industry because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Researchers from Stellenbosch University have identified 79 phenolic compounds in three strains of cannabis grown commercially in South Africa, of which 25 were reported in the plant for the first time. Sixteen of these compounds were tentatively identified as ‘flavoalkaloids’, and were mainly found in the leaves of only one of the strains. The findings are published in the Journal of Chromatography A, First author, Dr Magriet Muller, an analytical chemist in the LC-MS laboratory of the Central Analytical Facility (CAF) at Stellenbosch University, says the analysis of plant phenolics is challenging due to their low concentration and extreme structural diversity. “Most plants contain highly complex mixtures of phenolic compounds, and while flavonoids occur widely in the plant kingdom, the flavoalkaloids are very rare in nature,” she explains. “We know that Cannabis is extremely complex – it contains more than 750 metabolites – but we did not expect such high variation in phenolic profiles between only three strains, nor to detect so many compounds for the first time in the species. Especially the first evidence of flavoalkaloids in Cannabis was very exciting.” For her postgraduate studies in SU’s Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Muller developed powerful analytical methods combining comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry for the detailed characterisation of phenolic compounds. “We were looking for a new application for the methods that I developed, after successfully testing them on rooibos tea, grapes and wine. I then decided to apply the methods to Cannabis because I knew it was a complex sample, and that Cannabis phenolics have not been well characterised,” she explains. Professor André de Villiers, Muller’s study leader and main author on the paper, who leads the analytical chemistry research group in SU’s Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, commented: “The excellent performance of two-dimensional liquid chromatography allowed separation of the flavoalkaloids from the much more abundant flavonoids, which is why we were able to detect these rare compounds for the first time in Cannabis”. Prof De Villiers says it is obvious there is still much to gain from studying Cannabis, as the bulk of research in this field to date has been focused on the pharmacological properties of the mood-effecting cannabinoids. He added: “Our analysis again highlights the medicinal potential of Cannabis plant material, currently regarded as waste. Cannabis exhibits a rich and unique non-cannabinoid phenolic profile, which could be relevant from a biomedical research perspective.”

New analysis has found that NHS access to medical cannabis could boost the UK’s economy by £13.3 billion over the next decade by returning thousands back to work.

Widening NHS access to medical cannabis could add £4.5 billion to the economy over five years, and £13.3 billion over a decade, according to an economic analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The research, commissioned by Curaleaf Clinic, also suggests NHS access could help thousands of people with long-term health conditions return to work, while reducing hospital admissions for those eligible by 28% a year. Since its legalisation in 2018, private prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines have already contributed around £283 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) by helping people get well and back to work. Roughly 2.8 million people in the UK are currently locked out of employment due to long-term illness2. Polling3 conducted alongside the Cebr study, found 62% of those who have been out of work and prescribed medication believe they have exhausted all traditional treatment options. Those behind the research say the findings reveal a missed opportunity to improve lives, relieve pressure on the NHS, and support the government’s five-year plan to get more people working. “Our analysis shows that appropriately prescribed medical cannabis can help people with chronic conditions return to work,” commented Pushpin Singh, Managing Economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research. “Expanding NHS access would benefit patients while delivering significant productivity gains and cost savings to the UK economy.” READ MORE: Economic analysis finds medical cannabis could save NHS £4 billion each year

Out of work and out of options

Many people who have experienced unemployment due to long-term illness are frustrated with traditional medications. In total, 55% who have been prescribed medication report they provide little relief and 48% say they negatively affect their quality of life. Being excluded from the workforce also takes a heavy emotional toll. Over half report a loss of self-esteem (56%) and declining confidence (52%), while 46% feel helpless. Mental health is also affected, with 47% saying unemployment has harmed their wellbeing and 39% experiencing feelings of embarrassment. Fatma Mehmet, a patient at Curaleaf Clinic, says medical cannabis has helped her regain her independence. “Living with chronic pain took a huge toll on my physical and mental health. As someone independent and career-driven, not being able to get out of bed and go to work made me feel as if my identity was being stripped away,” she says. “When I felt like I was at rock bottom and out of options, I discovered medical cannabis. I now have the ability to work, lead a team, and regain my independence. Expanding medical cannabis via the NHS would mean greater choice for more people, which can only be a good thing.”

A roadmap towards improving access 

However, there is interest in medical cannabis as an alternative therapy with nearly half (44%) who have not previously been prescribed it saying they would consider trying it if it were more widely available on the NHS. Nearly two-thirds of UK adults (64%) believe people with chronic ill-health should have more treatment options to get back to work, while 71% of those directly affected say medical cannabis should be made more widely available if it can help. But 40% of those who have struggled with employment due to a diagnosed long-term health condition are still unaware that medical cannabis is a legally available treatment in the UK, and 33% describe the current system as confusing, inaccessible or unclear. “As a doctor, I see daily how chronic illness doesn’t just affect someone’s health – it removes them from the workforce, creates economic hardship, and leads to a cascade of social and psychological problems that can worsen the cycle of ill health,” says Dr Simon Erridge, Director of Research at Curaleaf Clinic. “This analysis shows that medical cannabis isn’t just a health issue – it’s an economic one too. Our goal is to give people affected by poor health more choice and control in their treatment, helping them build independence and, where appropriate, re-enter the workplace. This report highlights a way forward. “We urgently need a roadmap towards improving access to medical cannabis via the NHS for suitable patients,  with the required investment in essential research to deliver this.”

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