Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40240703›Full record

ArticleForensic toxicology2025

Acute and subacute cardiovascular effects of synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 in rat.

Onural Ozhan, Necip Ermis, Osman Celbis, Emine Samdanci, Semih Petekkaya, Mucahit Oruc, Ozcan Soylu, Pelin Koparir, Ahmet Acet, Hakan Parlakpinar

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Forensic toxicology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Onural OzhanDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, 44280, Malatya, Türkiye. onural.ozhan@inonu.edu.tr.ORCID 0000-0001-9018-7849
Necip ErmisDepartment of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye.
Osman CelbisDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye.
Emine SamdanciDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye.
Semih PetekkayaDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Türkiye.
Mucahit OrucDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye.
Ozcan SoyluDepartment of Chemistry, Forensic Medicine Institute, Malatya, Türkiye.
Pelin KoparirDepartment of Chemistry, Forensic Medicine Institute, Malatya, Türkiye.
Ahmet AcetDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, 44280, Malatya, Türkiye.
Hakan ParlakpinarDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, 44280, Malatya, Türkiye.

Funding

Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu 215S752
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study investigates the cardiovascular effects of the synthetic cannabinoid naphthalene-1-yl-(1-pentylindole-3-yl)methanone (JWH-018) in rats. The research aims to evaluate the pharmacologic, cardiologic, biochemical, and histopathological effects of acute and subacute administration at low and high doses. The primary research question is how JWH-018 impacts heart function, blood pressure, ECG patterns, and cardiac tissue integrity.

methodsWistar albino rats were divided into five groups: control, acute low-dose (ALD, 0.5 mg/kg), acute high-dose (AHD, 5 mg/kg), subacute low-dose (SALD, 0.5 mg/kg for 14 days), and subacute high-dose (SAHD, 5 mg/kg for 14 days). Cardiovascular effects were assessed using echocardiography, hemodynamic and ECG analysis, histopathology, biochemical markers, and LC-MS/MS quantification of JWH-018 and its metabolites in heart tissue.

resultsAcute high-dose JWH-018 caused bradycardia and hypotension, while subacute high-dose increased heart rate but continued to lower blood pressure. JWH-018 induced cardiac arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and ischemic ECG changes, with prolonged QT intervals in subacute high-dose rats. Histopathological findings revealed myocardial infarction-like features, including contraction bands and ischemic damage, particularly in subacute groups. Elevated pro-BNP and triglycerides indicated cardiac stress and metabolic effects. JWH-018 and its metabolites were detected in heart tissue, primarily in high-dose groups.

conclusionsJWH-018 has significant cardiovascular risks, causing heart rate dysregulation, hypotension, arrhythmias, and ischemic damage. These effects depend on dose and duration. The study highlights the potential dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, emphasizing that they should not be considered safe alternatives to natural cannabis.

Indexed as

CannabinoidsHeartIndolesNaphthalenesAnimalsBlood PressureEchocardiographyElectrocardiographyHeart RateMaleMyocardiumRatsRats, Wistar1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indoleCannabinoidsIndolesNaphthalenesHeartJWH-018RatSynthetic cannabinoids

Identifiers

PMID40240703
PMCPMC12241184

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.