Cannabis sativa: A look at protozoa, helminths, insect vectors, and pests

Cannabinoids as cytotoxic agents and potential modulators of the human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis, a globally prevalent sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, affects approximately 278 million people each year. It presents a challenge due to resistance to the current treatment, Metronidazole (MTZ), which is also associated with side effects. Cannabis sativa, with more than 100 phytocannabinoids and numerous studies for therapeutic applications, including parasitic infections, has undergone a significant shift in acceptance worldwide, highlighted by legalizations and substantial revenue projections. In this context, the present study delves into the effects of cannabinoids, specifically WIN 55,212-2 (WIN), Cannabivarin (CBV) showcasing their anti-parasitic actions that influence the growth and morphology of T. vaginalis. The analysis extends to encompass the pharmacokinetic properties of these cannabinoids. Among the analyzed cannabinoids, CBV stands out for adhering to Lipinski's rules, indicating its potential suitability for oral drug delivery. They also demonstrated inhibitory effects on the growth of T. vaginalis trophozoites and a reduction in the parasite's adhesion to host cells. Several morphological alterations were observed, such as membrane projections, blebbing, autophagosomes and damaged hydrogenosomes. These results highlight the need for further research to explore the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and understand their mechanisms of action in T. vaginalis.

Cannabis sativa (Linnaeus, 1753): The use of its extract against Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826) ticks

To minimize the damage caused by synthetic acaricides to non-target organisms, the use of bioactives compounds extracted from plants has been considered. In this study, semi-engorged females of Rhipicephalus linnaei ticks were exposed to Cannabis sativa flower extract (submersion for 5 minutes in different concentrations diluted in ethanol 30 %) evaluated alterations in the integument and salivary glands. The results demonstrated that lower concentrations of the extract caused damage to both the integument and salivary glands, affecting the cuticular epithelial cells responsible for synthesizing all layers of the cuticle. The concentration of 2.5 mg/mL caused more extensive damage than 5.0 mg/mL, and 40 mg/mL completely disrupted the epithelium. Exposure of the salivary glands showed that at 2.5 ug/mL dose the glandular acini was disrupted, leaving only a heterogeneous mass with some nuclei of acinar cells, leading to acinar rupture. These findings indicate that the extract from Cannabis sativa flowers irreversibly alters the morphology and consequently, interferes with the functionality of different vital organs.

Anthelmintic Effect of Cannabidiol against Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto

Cystic echinococcosis is a global parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Cystic echinococcosis affects more than 1 million people worldwide, causing important economic costs in terms of management and livestock associated losses. Albendazole is the main drug used in treating human cystic echinococcosis. In spite of this, its low aqueous solubility, poor absorption, and consequently erratic bioavailability are the cause of its chemotherapeutic failures. Based on the described problem, new treatment alternatives urgently need to be developed. The aim of the present research was to study the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD), the second most abundant component of the Cannabis sativa plant, was demonstrated against E. granulosus sensu stricto. CBD (50 µg/mL) caused a decrease in protoscoleces viability of 80 % after 24 h of treatment which was consistent with the observed tegumental alterations. Detachment of the germinal layer was observed in 50 ± 10% of cysts treated with 50 µg/mL of CBD during 24 h. In the clinical efficacy study, all treatments reduced the weight of cysts recovered from mice compared with the control group. However, this reduction was only significant with ABZ suspension and the CBD + ABZ combination. As we could observe by the SEM study, the co-administration of CBD with ABZ suspension caused greater ultrastructural alteration of the germinal layer in comparison with that provoked with the monotherapy. Further in vivo research will be conducted by changing the dose and frequency of CBD and CBD + ABZ treatments and new available CBD delivery systems will also be assayed to improve bioavailability in vivo.

Impact of Chitosan-Based Foliar Application on the Phytochemical Content and the Antioxidant Activity in Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Inflorescences

In the present study, the phytochemical content and the antioxidant activity in the inflorescences of the monoecious hemp cultivar Codimono grown in southern Italy were assessed, and their elicitation was induced by foliar spray application of 50 mg/L and 250 mg/L of chitosan (CHT) at three different molecular weights (low, CHT L; medium, CHT M; high CHT H). The analysis of the phytochemical profile confirmed that cannabinoids were the most abundant class (54.2%), followed by flavonoids (40.3%), tocopherols (2.2%), phenolic acids (1.9%), and carotenoids (1.4%). Cannabinoids were represented almost exclusively by cannabidiol, whereas cannabigerol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol were detected at very low levels (the latter was below the legal limit of 0.3%). The most abundant flavonoids were orientin and vitexin, whereas tocopherols were mainly represented by α-tocopherol. The antioxidant activity was found to be positively correlated with flavonoids and tocopherols. Statistical analysis revealed that the CHT treatments significantly affected the phytochemical content and the antioxidant activity of hemp inflorescences. Notably, a significant increase in the total phenolic content (from +36% to +69%), the α-tocopherol (from +45% to +75%) and β+γ-tocopherol (from +35% to +82%) contents, and the ABTS radical scavenging activity (from +12% to +28%) was induced by all the CHT treatments. In addition, treatments with CHT 50 solutions induced an increase in the total flavonoid content (from +12% to +27%), as well as in the vitexin (from +17% to +20%) and orientin (from +20% to +30%) contents. Treatment with CHT 50 L almost always resulted in the greatest increases. Overall, our findings indicated that CHT could be used as a low-cost and environmentally safe elicitor to improve the health benefits and the economic value of hemp inflorescences, thus promoting their employment in the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic supply chains.