Cannabigerol: a bibliometric overview and review of research on an important phytocannabinoid

Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the major phytocannabinoids present in Cannabis sativa L. but is presumed to be an artefact or degradation product of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the principal precursor of several cannabinoids. The growing interest in CBG has been attributed to its non-psychotropic properties, low cannabinoid receptor potency and relative abundance in some commercial Cannabis varieties. A broad pharmacological profile has been described, where CBG is reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective and appetite-enhancing properties, among others. Previous reviews on CBG have been limited to either the pharmacological potential of the molecule, with little detail on the chemistry, or to advances in the analytical tools used to explore CBG content in a wide range of biological samples. The current review seeks to highlight the chemistry, biosynthesis, pharmacology and safety aspects of the molecule. Additionally, we provide new insights into, and critical evaluation of, the pharmacological interactions of CBG via different receptor sites based on in silico predictions, using retrieved 3D structures of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). For the first time, a bibliometric overview of the literature was performed, and with the aid of scientometric tools it was possible to present a visual overview of the research trends over the years, assess research performance of countries, and delineate the research output trajectory, hotspots and voids. In-depth analysis of the published literature revealed that clinical trials establishing the efficacy, safety and side-effects of CBG therapy in specific disease conditions are limited, as well as industry-friendly quality control procedures for CBG-enriched cannabis extracts.