A plant native to tropical and subtropical regions, Trema micrantha Blume, has recently captured scientific attention for its surprising chemical makeup. Its discovery offers an intriguing subject for researchers exploring how certain plant families produce diverse molecules.
What is Trema micrantha Blume?
Trema micrantha Blume, often called Jamaican nettletree or capulin, is a shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 10 meters. Its egg-shaped leaves are green on top and covered with white, woolly hairs underneath.
The plant produces small, greenish-white flowers that develop into yellow to bright reddish-orange fruits, typically around 4 millimeters in diameter. Trema micrantha Blume is widely distributed across the Western Hemisphere, including Mexico, Central America, tropical South America, and the Caribbean. In Brazil, it grows in various environments such as rainforests, gallery forests, and semi-deciduous forests.
Ecologically, Trema micrantha Blume serves as a pioneer species, often colonizing disturbed areas and aiding habitat restoration. Traditionally, its leaves and bark have been used in folk medicine for wound-healing, anti-rheumatism, and anti-syphilis properties. The bark has also been used to create handmade amate paper in Mexico.
The Plant’s Cannabinoid Secret
Recent scientific investigations have revealed that Trema micrantha Blume produces certain cannabinoids, specifically cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA A). These acidic forms are precursors to the more commonly known neutral cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), respectively. This means that while Trema micrantha Blume contains CBDA, it does not directly produce CBD in the same way that Cannabis sativa does without further processing, such as heat.
The discovery was made using advanced analytical techniques, such as ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), which allowed for precise identification and quantification of these compounds. This research confirmed the presence of cannabinoids in the plant’s leaves, fruits, and inflorescences. While both CBDA and THCA A were detected, the acidic forms were found in higher concentrations.
The concentrations of cannabinoids in Trema micrantha Blume are significantly lower than those found in Cannabis sativa. For instance, CBD levels in Trema micrantha leaves were reported to be up to 100 times lower than in Cannabis sativa leaves. Despite these lower concentrations, the presence of these compounds outside the Cannabis genus is a significant scientific finding.
Why This Discovery Matters
The discovery of cannabinoids, particularly CBDA, in Trema micrantha Blume expands the scientific understanding of cannabinoid biosynthesis across the plant kingdom. This finding suggests that the pathways for producing these compounds may be more widespread than previously thought, potentially existing in other plant families beyond Cannabaceae. Such insights could lead to a deeper comprehension of plant evolution and the diverse chemical strategies plants employ for various biological functions.
This breakthrough also opens new avenues for research into alternative sources of cannabinoids. While Trema micrantha Blume currently produces lower concentrations compared to Cannabis sativa, its ability to generate these compounds without the psychoactive THC component offers distinct advantages. This could circumvent some of the legal and regulatory challenges associated with Cannabis cultivation and research, making it potentially easier to study and utilize these compounds.
Future research could focus on optimizing extraction methods from Trema micrantha Blume to improve cannabinoid yields. It may also explore the potential for developing new therapeutic agents from this plant, especially given the rising global interest in cannabinoid derivatives for medicinal purposes. The availability of a non-cannabis source of CBDA could facilitate broader scientific exploration and potentially lead to new applications in various fields, from pharmaceuticals to industrial uses.