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Nunn AVW, Guy GW, Bell JD. Informing the Cannabis Conjecture: From Life's Beginnings to Mitochondria, Membranes and the Electrome-A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13070. [PMID: 37685877 PMCID: PMC10488084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Before the late 1980s, ideas around how the lipophilic phytocannabinoids might be working involved membranes and bioenergetics as these disciplines were "in vogue". However, as interest in genetics and pharmacology grew, interest in mitochondria (and membranes) waned. The discovery of the cognate receptor for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) led to the classification of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the conjecture that phytocannabinoids might be "working" through this system. However, the how and the "why" they might be beneficial, especially for compounds like CBD, remains unclear. Given the centrality of membranes and mitochondria in complex organisms, and their evolutionary heritage from the beginnings of life, revisiting phytocannabinoid action in this light could be enlightening. For example, life can be described as a self-organising and replicating far from equilibrium dissipating system, which is defined by the movement of charge across a membrane. Hence the building evidence, at least in animals, that THC and CBD modulate mitochondrial function could be highly informative. In this paper, we offer a unique perspective to the question, why and how do compounds like CBD potentially work as medicines in so many different conditions? The answer, we suggest, is that they can modulate membrane fluidity in a number of ways and thus dissipation and engender homeostasis, particularly under stress. To understand this, we need to embrace origins of life theories, the role of mitochondria in plants and explanations of disease and ageing from an adaptive thermodynamic perspective, as well as quantum mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair V. W. Nunn
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK; (G.W.G.); (J.D.B.)
- The Guy Foundation, Beaminster DT8 3HY, UK
| | - Geoffrey W. Guy
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK; (G.W.G.); (J.D.B.)
- The Guy Foundation, Beaminster DT8 3HY, UK
| | - Jimmy D. Bell
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK; (G.W.G.); (J.D.B.)
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Heider CG, Itenberg SA, Rao J, Ma H, Wu X. Mechanisms of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Treatment: A Review. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060817. [PMID: 35741337 PMCID: PMC9220307 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Emerging evidence suggests positive outcomes from the use of CBD as a cancer treatment. CBD can relieve cancer pain and ease the side effects of chemotherapy; however, there is less research about the mechanism of CBD’s anticancer effects. In this article, recent studies on the efficacy and mechanisms of CBD’s anticancer effects in cell- and animal-based models and human clinical studies are reviewed. Abstract Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabis) and its bioactive compounds, including cannabinoids and non-cannabinoids, have been extensively studied for their biological effects in recent decades. Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-intoxicating cannabinoid in Cannabis, has emerged as a promising intervention for cancer research. The purpose of this review is to provide insights into the relationship between CBD and cancer based on recent research findings. The anticancer effects of CBD are mainly mediated via its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, resulting in the alleviation of pain and the promotion of immune regulation. Published reviews have focused on the applications of CBD in cancer pain management and the possible toxicological effects of its excessive consumption. In this review, we aim to summarize the mechanisms of action underlying the anticancer activities of CBD against several common cancers. Studies on the efficacy and mechanisms of CBD on cancer prevention and intervention in experimental models (i.e., cell culture- and animal-based assays) and human clinical studies are included in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camren G. Heider
- Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (C.G.H.); (S.A.I.)
| | - Sasha A. Itenberg
- Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (C.G.H.); (S.A.I.)
| | - Jiajia Rao
- Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA;
| | - Hang Ma
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Xian Wu
- Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (C.G.H.); (S.A.I.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (X.W.)
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Olivas-Aguirre M, Torres-López L, Villatoro-Gómez K, Perez-Tapia SM, Pottosin I, Dobrovinskaya O. Cannabidiol on the Path from the Lab to the Cancer Patient: Opportunities and Challenges. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030366. [PMID: 35337163 PMCID: PMC8951434 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotropic component of cannabis, is receiving growing attention as a potential anticancer agent. CBD suppresses the development of cancer in both in vitro (cancer cell culture) and in vivo (xenografts in immunodeficient mice) models. For critical evaluation of the advances of CBD on its path from laboratory research to practical application, in this review, we wish to call the attention of scientists and clinicians to the following issues: (a) the biological effects of CBD in cancer and healthy cells; (b) the anticancer effects of CBD in animal models and clinical case reports; (c) CBD’s interaction with conventional anticancer drugs; (d) CBD’s potential in palliative care for cancer patients; (e) CBD’s tolerability and reported side effects; (f) CBD delivery for anticancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Olivas-Aguirre
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima 28045, Mexico; (M.O.-A.); (L.T.-L.); (K.V.-G.)
| | - Liliana Torres-López
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima 28045, Mexico; (M.O.-A.); (L.T.-L.); (K.V.-G.)
| | - Kathya Villatoro-Gómez
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima 28045, Mexico; (M.O.-A.); (L.T.-L.); (K.V.-G.)
| | - Sonia Mayra Perez-Tapia
- Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapeúticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Igor Pottosin
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima 28045, Mexico; (M.O.-A.); (L.T.-L.); (K.V.-G.)
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (O.D.)
| | - Oxana Dobrovinskaya
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima 28045, Mexico; (M.O.-A.); (L.T.-L.); (K.V.-G.)
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (O.D.)
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Hosami F, Ghadimkhah MH, Salimi V, Ghorbanhosseini SS, Tavakoli-Yaraki M. The strengths and limits of cannabinoids and their receptors in cancer: Insights into the role of tumorigenesis-underlying mechanisms and therapeutic aspects. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 144:112279. [PMID: 34624678 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer, as a mysterious and complex disease, has a multi-stage molecular process that uses the cellular molecular machine and multiple signaling pathways to its advantage. Cannabinoids, as terpenophenolic compounds and their derivatives, showed influences on immune system responses, inflammation, and cell growth that have sparked a growing interest in exploring their effects on cancer cell fate, as well. A large body of evidence in experimental models indicating the involvement of cannabinoids and their related receptors in cancer cell growth, development, and fate. In accordance, the present study provided insights regarding the strengths and limits of cannabinoids and their receptors in critical steps of tumorigenesis and its underlying molecular pathways such as; cancer cell proliferation, type of cell death pathway, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis and, immune system response. Based on the results of the present study and due to the contribution of cannabinoids in various cancer cell growth control processes, these compounds cancer can be considered worthwhile in finding new alternatives for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hosami
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Vahid Salimi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Masoumeh Tavakoli-Yaraki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Alsherbiny MA, Bhuyan DJ, Low MN, Chang D, Li CG. Synergistic Interactions of Cannabidiol with Chemotherapeutic Drugs in MCF7 Cells: Mode of Interaction and Proteomics Analysis of Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810103. [PMID: 34576262 PMCID: PMC8469885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid, has recently emerged as a potential cytotoxic agent in addition to its ameliorative activity in chemotherapy-associated side effects. In this work, the potential interactions of CBD with docetaxel (DOC), doxorubicin (DOX), paclitaxel (PTX), vinorelbine (VIN), and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) were explored in MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma cells using different synergy quantification models. The apoptotic profiles of MCF7 cells after the treatments were assessed via flow cytometry. The molecular mechanisms of CBD and the most promising combinations were investigated via label-free quantification proteomics. A strong synergy was observed across all synergy models at different molar ratios of CBD in combination with SN-38 and VIN. Intriguingly, synergy was observed for CBD with all chemotherapeutic drugs at a molar ratio of 636:1 in almost all synergy models. However, discording synergy trends warranted the validation of the selected combinations against different models. Enhanced apoptosis was observed for all synergistic CBD combinations compared to monotherapies or negative controls. A shotgun proteomics study highlighted 121 dysregulated proteins in CBD-treated MCF7 cells compared to the negative controls. We reported the inhibition of topoisomerase II β and α, cullin 1, V-type proton ATPase, and CDK-6 in CBD-treated MCF7 cells for the first time as additional cytotoxic mechanisms of CBD, alongside sabotaged energy production and reduced mitochondrial translation. We observed 91 significantly dysregulated proteins in MCF7 cells treated with the synergistic combination of CBD with SN-38 (CSN-38), compared to the monotherapies. Regulation of telomerase, cell cycle, topoisomerase I, EGFR1, protein metabolism, TP53 regulation of DNA repair, death receptor signalling, and RHO GTPase signalling pathways contributed to the proteome-wide synergistic molecular mechanisms of CSN-38. In conclusion, we identified significant synergistic interactions between CBD and the five important chemotherapeutic drugs and the key molecular pathways of CBD and its synergistic combination with SN-38 in MCF7 cells. Further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the implementation of CBD-based synergistic adjuvant therapies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad A. Alsherbiny
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia; (D.J.B.); (M.N.L.); (D.C.)
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.A.A.); (C.G.L.)
| | - Deep J. Bhuyan
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia; (D.J.B.); (M.N.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Mitchell N. Low
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia; (D.J.B.); (M.N.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Dennis Chang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia; (D.J.B.); (M.N.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Chun Guang Li
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia; (D.J.B.); (M.N.L.); (D.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.A.); (C.G.L.)
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Irrera N, Bitto A, Sant’Antonio E, Lauro R, Musolino C, Allegra A. Pros and Cons of the Cannabinoid System in Cancer: Focus on Hematological Malignancies. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133866. [PMID: 34202812 PMCID: PMC8270322 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a composite cell-signaling system that allows endogenous cannabinoid ligands to control cell functions through the interaction with cannabinoid receptors. Modifications of the ECS might contribute to the pathogenesis of different diseases, including cancers. However, the use of these compounds as antitumor agents remains debatable. Pre-clinical experimental studies have shown that cannabinoids (CBs) might be effective for the treatment of hematological malignancies, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Specifically, CBs may activate programmed cell death mechanisms, thus blocking cancer cell growth, and may modulate both autophagy and angiogenesis. Therefore, CBs may have significant anti-tumor effects in hematologic diseases and may synergistically act with chemotherapeutic agents, possibly also reducing chemoresistance. Moreover, targeting ECS might be considered as a novel approach for the management of graft versus host disease, thus reducing some symptoms such as anorexia, cachexia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and neuropathic pain. The aim of the present review is to collect the state of the art of CBs effects on hematological tumors, thus focusing on the essential topics that might be useful before moving into the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (A.B.); (R.L.)
| | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (A.B.); (R.L.)
| | | | - Rita Lauro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (A.B.); (R.L.)
| | - Caterina Musolino
- Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +390902212364
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