What is Delta-9-THC-BSA?
Delta-9-THC-BSA is a drug-protein conjugate synthesized by binding the animal protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) to cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). The cannabinoid was first isolated in 1964 and has subsequently been identified as the primary active component of the cannabis plant. Isolating and identifying the distinct compounds within cannabis has proven instrumental in shaping the debate surrounding the decriminalization of cannabis in the US. The ability to distinguish between the likes of delta-9-THC and cannabidiol (CBD) has also catalyzed new interest in the potential medical applications of the drug.
Thirty-one states in the U.S. have now relaxed restrictions on medical cannabis, while Canada recently made the historic decision to decriminalize even recreational use of the drug. Yet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains the position that cannabis has not yet been quantitatively identified as a safe and effective drug for any condition. The closest the FDA has come to acknowledging the medical potential was their approval of a CBD-based drug designed for the treatment of a rare epileptic condition.
The FDA commissioner claimed:
“This approval serves as a reminder that advancing sound development programs that properly evaluate active ingredients contained in marijuana can lead to important medical therapies.”
Importance of Delta-9-BSA
Current indications suggest that CBD is responsible for the observed therapeutic effects of the drug while THC is responsible for its psychoactive mechanisms of action. In fact, CBD is believed to mediate the psychoactive effects of delta-9-THC which underlines the unique pharmacokinetic dichotomy of natural cannabinoids. High THC strain cannabis with low levels of CBD has been linked to increased risk of psychosis among regular users, and more severe cannabis use disorders.
Delta-9-BSA can subsequently be used as the primary reagent in drug screening assays to detect and quantify THC in biological samples. This is an essential process for rapid drug detection systems and more robust immunochromatographic detection methods. Laboratory testing with delta-9-BSA can also be used to determine physiological drug dependency by measuring the concentration of THC in biological samples. Large doses of the cannabinoid may indicate sustained abuse of the drug which can help medical professionals predict the severity of controlled withdrawal.
If you would like to learn more about delta-9-BSA, read our previous blog post Outlining THC-BSA.
Delta-9-THC-BSA from Pyxis Labs
Pyxis Labs supplies tailored immunological reagents for immunochromatographic analysis of biological samples. We synthesize and supply delta-9THC-BSA with outstanding purity and good levels of repeatability for successful, concurrent batches. Other drug conjugations that we supply include:
- Alcohol such as, ethyl glucuronide-BSA (EtG-BSA);
- Amphetamines such as, Amphetamine-BSA, Methamphetamine-BSA, methcathinone-BSA, MDMA-BSA, MDPV-BSA, Mephedrone-BSA and Methylphenidate-BSA (Ritalin-BSA);
- Benzodiazepines, such as Oxazepam-BSA and Clonazepam-BSA;
- Cannabinoids such us, delta-8-THC-BSA; and synthetic cannabinoids such as, JWH-018-BSA, ABpinaca-BSA, UR144-BSA;
- Cocaine, such as BZEG-BSA;
- Hallucinogens/Anesthetics such as, PCP-BSA;
- Nicotinic such as, Cotinine-BSA.
- Opioids such as, Buprenorphine-BSA, Fentanyl-BSA, Methadone-BSA, Morphine-BSA, Oxycodone-BSA, Propoxyphene-BSA and others such as Chloramphenicol-BSA, Gabapentin-BSA and N-acetyl glucosamine-BSA (NAG-BSA).
If you would like any more information about our delta-9-THC-BSA conjugates, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the team.
[Source: FDA]
