Effect of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation.

In vivo ip administration of saline-Tween 80 suspensions of pure Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabino (Δ⁹-THC) under both acute (10 and 50 mg/kg) and chronic (10 mg/kg/day for 21 days) conditions, to adult male albino rats inhibited liver microsomal lipid peroxidation. In vitroΔ⁹-THC (0.5–8 μg/mg protein) also markedly lowered NADPH- and ascorbate-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation. Δ⁹-THC was also effective in lowering CCl₄-induced lipid peroxidation in vitro. These results suggest that Δ⁹-THC exerts a stabilizing effect on hepatic microsomal membrane.