Hydrogenation of cannabis oil

Abstract

The present invention relates to the extraction and hydrogenation of essential oil of a cannabis plant. The invention includes hydrogenated cannabis compounds and compositions, as well as methods of preparation and therapeutic uses for regressing tumors in a cancer patient. The extract can include 9-tetrahydrocannabinoic acid and 9-cannabidiolic acid, and the hydrogenated cannabis oil can include hydrogenated 9-tetrahydrocannabinoic acid, hydrogenated 9-cannabidioc acid and, mixtures and blends thereof.

1 . A method of hydrogenating cannabis oil, comprising:
 obtaining a cannabis plant having essential oil, comprising at least one of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and Δ-9-cannabidiolic acid;   extracting the essential oil from the cannabis plant to form an essential oil extract; and   hydrogenating the essential oil extract to form hydrogenated cannabis oil, comprising at least one of hydrogenated Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and Δ-9-cannabidiolic acid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extracting and hydrogenating steps, comprising extracting the essential oil from the cannabis plant employing an extraction solvent, separating an essential oil extract, comprising at least one of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and Δ-9-cannabidiolic acid, and hydrogenating the essential oil extract in absence of the extraction solvent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil comprises terpenoids, flavonoids, sterols and, mixtures and blends thereof 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extracting step comprises contacting the essential oil with an extraction solvent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the extraction solvent comprises butane. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogenating step comprises contacting the essential oil extract with at least one of a catalyst and a solvent. 
     
     
         7 . A method for regressing tumors in a cancer patient, comprising:
 preparing a hydrogenated cannabis oil composition, comprising:   obtaining a cannabis plant having essential oil, comprising at least one of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and Δ-9-cannabidiolic acid;   extracting the essential oil from the cannabis plant to form an essential oil extract; and   hydrogenating the essential oil extract to form hydrogenated cannabis oil, comprising at least one of hydrogenated Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and Δ-9-cannabidiolic acid; and   administering a therapeutically effective amount of the hydrogenated cannabis oil composition to the cancer patient.   
     
     
         8 . A hydrogenated cannabis oil composition, comprising a hydrogenated acid selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, hydrogenated Δ-9-cannabidiolic acid and, mixtures and blends thereof 
     
     
         9 . A composition, comprising one or more hexahydrocannabinoids selected from the group consisting of formulas 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a and 4b: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated terpenes, hydrogenated terpenoids, hydrogenated flavonoids, hydrogenated cannabinoids, and hydrogenated sterols. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preparing a hydrogenated cannabis oil, comprising:
 extracting cannabis oil from a cannabis plant to provide an extract comprising one or more Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinoic acids and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinols selected from the group consisting of formulas 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and
 hydrogenating the extract to produce a hydrogenated cannabis oil comprising one or more hexahydrocannabinoids selected from the group consisting of formulas 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d: