Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa's pharmacological properties and health effects: A scoping review of current evidence

The comprehensive review about elements accumulation in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

Cannabis sativa L., commonly known as industrial hemp, is a versatile plant with applications ranging from medicinal to agricultural and industrial uses. Despite its benefits, there is a notable gap in regulatory toxicology, in understanding the extent of element accumulation in hemp, which is critical due to its ability to absorb various elements from the soil, including heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and As), uptakes potential toxic elements (e.g., Sb, Sn, Sr, Bi, Tl), problematic elements (Ni, Cr, Co), and essential elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn). The paper aims to enrich current understandings by offering a comprehensive analysis of elements absorption in industrial hemp. This study emphasizes the potential health risks linked with hemp consumption including regulatory toxicology aspects: limits, Permitted Daily Exposures (PDE), recommendations in different countries and from different agencies/bodies (like the WHO and the EU) based on route of administration, jurisdiction and actual literature review. This review contributes significantly to the knowledge base on hemp safety, serving as a valuable resource for researchers, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders.

Fabrication and characterization of new levan@CBD biocomposite sponges as potential materials in natural, non-toxic wound dressing applications

Wound healing is a complex process; therefore, new dressings are frequently required to facilitate it. In this study, porous bacterial levan-based sponges containing cannabis oil (Lev@CBDs) were prepared and fully characterized. The sponges exhibited a suitable swelling ratio, proper water vapor transmission rate, sufficient thermal stability, desired mechanical properties, and good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The obtained Lev@CBD materials were evaluated in terms of their interaction with proteins, human serum albumin and fibrinogen, of which fibrinogen revealed the highest binding effect. Moreover, the obtained biomaterials exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as being non-hemolytic material as indicated by hemolysis tests. Furthermore, the sponges were non-toxic and compatible with L929 mouse fibroblasts and HDF cells. Most significantly, the levan sponge with the highest content of cannabis oil, in comparison to others, retained its non-hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties after prolonged storage in a climate chamber at a constant temperature and relative humidity. The designed sponges have conclusively proven their beneficial physicochemical properties and, at the preliminary stage, biocompatibility as well, and therefore can be considered a promising material for wound dressings in future in vivo applications.

Cannabis Extraction Technologies: Impact of Research and Value Addition in Latin America

The Cannabis genus of plants has been widely used in different cultures for various purposes. It is separated into three main species: sativa, indica, and ruderalis. In ancient practices, the plant was used as a multipurpose crop and valued for its fiber, food, and medicinal uses. Since methodologies for the extraction, processing, and identification of components have become available, medical, and food applications have been increasing, allowing potential development in the pharmaceutical and healthy functional food industries. Although the growing legalization and adoption of cannabis for the treatment of diseases are key factors pushing the growth of its market, the biggest challenge is to obtain higher-quality products in a time- and cost-effective fashion, making the process of extraction and separation an essential step. Latin American countries exhibit great knowledge of extraction technologies; nevertheless, it is still necessary to verify whether production costs are economically profitable. In addition, there has been an increase in commercial cannabis products that may or may not be allowed, with or without quality fact sheets, which can pose health risks. Hence, legalization is mandatory and urgent for the rest of Latin American countries. In this article, the phytochemical compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds), the current status of legalization, extraction techniques, and research advances in cannabis in Latin America are reviewed.

Micronized Palmitoylethanolamide, Hempseed Oil, and Maritime Pine Bark Dry Extract (Pelvipea®) for Pelvic Pain: An In Vitro Study for Urothelial Inflammation Treatment

Urothelial inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic pelvic pain due to its origin in the bladder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a patent-pending formulation (Pelvipea^®) composed of micronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), hempseed oil, and maritime pine bark dry extract in reducing urothelial inflammation, as well as the effect of each ingredient individually, in order to define the synergistic effect of the three ingredients. An in vitro bladder urothelium model composed of the T24 cell line was exposed to a conditioned media obtained by treating macrophage-differentiated THP-1 cells with different concentrations of the functional ingredients and a mixture of them in the presence of the pro-inflammatory stimulus of Escherichia coli. Cells exposed only to the inflammatory stimulus in the absence of pre-treatment were considered as a positive control for inflammation. The impact of each functional ingredient and their mixture on inflammation was evaluated by the determination of transcription factor NF-kB and of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, comparing the mixture and the single ingredients for every condition tested. All results were reported as fold change (mean ± standard deviation), the ratio between the values obtained from the respective treatments for inflammation control. The three functional ingredients did not induce negative effects on THP-1 cell vitality. The levels of NF-kB were reduced following treatment with hempseed oil, maritime pine bark dry extract, and the mixture at all tested concentrations, and with micronized PEA from 25 to 200 μg/mL. Treatment with the mixture resulted in the lowest expression levels of interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 compared to the single functional ingredients at a concentration of 230 μg/mL, with values of 0.08 (±0.00), 0.01 (±0.00), and 0.32 (±0.01), respectively. The mixture of micronized PEA, hempseed oil, and maritime pine bark dry extract (Pelvipea^®) at 230 μg/mL showed the best efficacy in urothelial IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 reduction compared with the singular components. This formulation may represent a promising therapeutic option to relieve painful symptoms originating in the bladder. However, in vivo studies are needed to confirm these results.

Cannabis Bioactive Compound-Based Formulations: New Perspectives for the Management of Orofacial Pain

The management of orofacial pain to alleviate the quality of life of affected patients is becoming increasingly challenging for scientific research and healthcare professionals. From this perspective, in addition to conventional therapies, new alternatives are being sought, increasingly looking at the use of both natural and synthetic products. Cannabis sativa L. represents an interesting source of bioactive compounds, including non-psychoactive cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, many of which are effective in improving pain intensity. Here, we aim to analyze the possible mechanisms of action of the bioactive natural and synthetic hemp-derived compounds responsible for the modulatory effects on pain-related pathways. The ability of these compounds to act on multiple mechanisms through a synergistic effect, reducing both the release of inflammatory mediators and regulating the response of the endocannabinoid system, makes them interesting agents for alternative formulations to be used in orofacial pain.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa) Chemical Composition and the Application of Hempseeds in Food Formulations

Owing to its nutritional and medicinal value, hemp has been cultivated to provide since ancient times. This review aims to map the scientific literature concerning the main functional components and the chemical composition of hemp plant. It is generally acknowledged that each organ of the hemp plant embodies a valuable source, and among them the most pivotal part is the edible fruits hempseeds. Hempseeds are rich in easily digestible proteins, fats, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and insoluble fiber, which are of high nutritional value. Furthermore, the beneficial effects have increased researchers' interests in hempseeds-containing foods. Developed as an indispensable ingredient, hempseed is also a significant supplement in various products, such as bakery food, drinks, snacks and culinary products. Overall, this review intends to promote the further in-depth investigation of approved hemp plants and expand the range of hempseeds adoption in the functional foods field.

Chitosan-based films with cannabis oil as a base material for wound dressing application

This study focuses on obtaining and characterizing novel chitosan-based biomaterials containing cannabis oil to potentially promote wound healing. The primary active substance in cannabis oil is the non-psychoactive cannabidiol, which has many beneficial properties. In this study, three chitosan-based films containing different concentrations of cannabis oil were prepared. As the amount of oil increased, the obtained biomaterials became rougher as tested by atomic force microscopy. Such rough surfaces promote protein adsorption, confirmed by experiments assessing the interaction between human albumin with the obtained materials. Increased oil concentration also improved the films' mechanical parameters, swelling capacity, and hydrophilic properties, which were checked by the wetting angle measurement. On the other hand, higher oil content resulted in decreased water vapour permeability, which is essential in wound dressing. Furthermore, the prepared films were subjected to an acute toxicity test using a Microtox. Significantly, the film's increased cannabis oil content enhanced the antimicrobial effect against A. fischeri for films in direct contact with bacteria. More importantly, cell culture studies revealed that the obtained materials are biocompatible and, therefore, they might be potential candidates for application in wound dressing materials.

Cosmeceuticals: A Newly Expanding Industry in South Africa

Africa is counted amongst the cosmetic market contributors; however, South Africa’s remarkable plant diversity is still largely untapped in terms of its potential for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Thus, we aim to provide a critical assessment of the advancements made in South African cosmeceuticals with emphasis towards online local companies/brands that are manufactured by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). For the current study, we limited our search of herbal cosmeceutical products to SMMEs with online websites, or products traded in other online cosmetic directories such as ‘Faithful to Nature’ and ‘African Botanicals’ using a simple Google search. We recorded more than 50 South African SMME companies/brands involved in the trade of cosmeceuticals. Skin and hair care were the major product categories widely traded in these online platforms. Furthermore, few patents were recorded from South African researchers and institutions thereof, which is quite alarming considering the extensive research that has been undertaken to study these commercially valuable plants. Based on the increasing number of new products and the wide pool of economically important plants coupled to their associated rich indigenous knowledge systems, the cosmeceutical sector can contribute to the economy, job creation, entrepreneurship skills, socio-economic development and intellectual property generation.

Screening of phytochemicals, toxicities, and activities of three Dillenia species

Introduction: Plants containing β-sitosterol and oleamide are important for various diseases. So, Dillenia indica, D. obovata, and D. pentagyna were investigated for phytochemicals, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity levels on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Hela cells. The protective effect of D. pentagyna extract on a HepG2 cell line was also investigated. Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for phytochemical analysis. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium reduction (MTT) and comet assays were performed for toxicity testing and protective effects against DNA oxidative damage. Results: The major components were oleamide and β-sitosterol at 38.464-58.247% and 5.585- 6.887% with concentration and quantity of β-sitosterol at 0.2-0.37 mg/mL and 0.42-0.964 mg/g leaf. The D. indica, D. obovata, and D. pentagyna toxicities on PBMCs showed IC50 values at >430, >430, and 350 µg/mL respectively, with no significant DNA damage (P > 0.05) compared to the negative control group. All plant extracts showed toxic activity on Hela cell with IC50 values at <0.43 µg/mL and induced significant DNA damage (P < 0.05) compared to the negative control group. Conversely, the activity of the D. pentagyna extract indicated low cytotoxic activity against HepG2 (IC50>430 μg/mL), no significant (P > 0.05) DNA damage induction, significantly (P < 0.05) decreased DNA damage level, and tremendous antioxidant effect. Additionally, a combined mixture of all plants in an equal proportion revealed no IC50 value and insignificant DNA damage. Conclusion: All the studied species contained oleamide and β-sitosterol, with toxicity on Hela cells without toxicity on PBMC. The D. pentagyna species showed high antioxidant effects and no toxicity on HepG2.

Quality Requirements for Medicinal Cannabis and Respective Products in the European Union - Status Quo

Medicinal cannabis and respective products have been available in EU member states as single-patient prescriptions without regular marketing authorizations for a couple of years. The Netherlands was the first member state to realize this; in the meantime other member states have followed. Today, aside from the Netherlands, Germany is the most important market for such products. The regulatory framework for the approval of medicinal cannabis and its distribution to patients in the EU member states is, however, not harmonized at all, and there are distinct national regulations. Regarding the quality of such products, the general requirements for herbal medicinal products as defined in the European Pharmacopoeia, national pharmacopoeias, and the EMA guidance documents in place beside GMP requirements in the EU are applicable. However, for a couple of aspects, every EU member state follows its own interpretation of these requirements. To facilitate free distribution of such products between EU member states in future and to harmonize requirements for quality and GMP, an EU-wide approach is needed. As a first step, this should be realized by implementing monographs for cannabis medicinal products in the European Pharmacopoeia.