Synthetic cannabinoid compounds are marketed as "legal" marijuana substitutes, even though little is known about their behavioral effects in relation to their pharmacokinetic profiles. Therefore, in the present study we assessed the behavioral effects of systemic treatment with the two synthetic cannabinoids JWH-073 and JWH-210 and the phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC on locomotor activity, anxiety-like phenotype (in the open field) and sensorimotor gating (measured as prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response, PPI), in relation to cannabinoid serum levels. Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously (sc.) with JWH-073 (0.1, 0.5, or 5 mg/kg), JWH-210 (0.1, 0.5, or 5 mg/kg), Δ9-THC (1 or 3 mg/kg) or vehicle (oleum helanti) in a volume of 0.5 ml/kg and tested in the open field and PPI. Although JWH-073, JWH-210, Δ9-THC (and its metabolites) were confirmed in serum, effects on sensorimotor gating were absent, and locomotor activity was only partially affected. Δ9-THC (3 mg/kg) elicited an anxiolytic-like effect as suggested by the increased time spent in the center of the open field (p < 0.05). Our results further support the potential anxiolytic-like effect of pharmacological modulation of the endocannabinoid system.

Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czechia

Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czechia 3rd Faculty of Medicine Psychiatric Clinic Charles University Prague Czechia

Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czechia Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences Section of Pharmacology University of Catania Catania Italy

Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czechia Department of Physiology Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czechia

Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czechia Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds University of Chemistry and Technology Prague Prague Czechia

Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General University Hospital Prague Czechia

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