Cannabigerol, a minor phytocannabinoid, prevents behavioral changes induced by psychotomimetic drugs

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a phytocannabinoid present in the plant Cannabis sativa that, similar to cannabidiol (CBD), does not cause psychotomimetic effects. It has shown potential therapeutic effects for relieving pain, inflammation, and anxiety, and it possesses antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. To date, few studies have investigated the potential of CBG in animal models of schizophrenia. Previous studies have demonstrated the antipsychotic-like profile of CBD in clinical and preclinical studies, with a lower induction of side effects when compared to conventional therapy. Although the pharmacological properties of CBG partially resemble those of CBD, some important differences could result in distinct clinical potential. In the present work, we investigated whether CBG could also show an antipsychotic-like profile in animal models of schizophrenia. Male Swiss mice received intraperitoneal injections of CBG followed by d-amphetamine (AMPH) or MK-801 and were exposed to different behavioral assays, including the open field, novel object recognition (NOR), social interaction, and prepulse inhibition (PPI) tests. CBG attenuated the disruptive effects of AMPH in the PPI and open field tests. In addition, pre-treatment with this compound also attenuated the impairments in the social interaction test, NOR, and PPI induced by MK-801. These results suggest that CBG therapeutic profile in behavioral assays. Notably, these benefits were observed at reduced concentrations, indicating that this compound represents a promising candidate for future translational and clinical investigations.