1
|
Banerjee S, Saha D, Sharma R, Jaidee W, Puttarak P, Chaiyakunapruk N, Chaoroensup R. Phytocannabinoids in neuromodulation: From omics to epigenetics. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 330:118201. [PMID: 38677573 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent developments in metabolomics, transcriptomic and epigenetics open up new horizons regarding the pharmacological understanding of phytocannabinoids as neuromodulators in treating anxiety, depression, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and autism. METHODS The present review is an extensive search in public databases, such as Google Scholar, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PubMed, to collect all the literature about the neurobiological roles of cannabis extract, cannabidiol, 9-tetrahydrocannabinol specially focused on metabolomics, transcriptomic, epigenetic, mechanism of action, in different cell lines, induced animal models and clinical trials. We used bioinformatics, network pharmacology and enrichment analysis to understand the effect of phytocannabinoids in neuromodulation. RESULTS Cannabidomics studies show wide variability of metabolites across different strains and varieties, which determine their medicinal and abusive usage, which is very important for its quality control and regulation. CB receptors interact with other compounds besides cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, like cannabinol and Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol. Phytocannabinoids interact with cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptors (GPCR, ion channels, and PPAR) to improve various neurodegenerative diseases. However, its abuse because of THC is also a problem found across different epigenetic and transcriptomic studies. Network enrichment analysis shows CNR1 expression in the brain and its interacting genes involve different pathways such as Rap1 signalling, dopaminergic synapse, and relaxin signalling. CBD protects against diseases like epilepsy, depression, and Parkinson's by modifying DNA and mitochondrial DNA in the hippocampus. Network pharmacology analysis of 8 phytocannabinoids revealed an interaction with 10 (out of 60) targets related to neurodegenerative diseases, with enrichment of ErbB and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways which helps in ameliorating neuro-inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases. The effects of phytocannabinoids vary across sex, disease state, and age which suggests the importance of a personalized medicine approach for better success. CONCLUSIONS Phytocannabinoids present a range of promising neuromodulatory effects. It holds promise if utilized in a strategic way towards personalized neuropsychiatric treatment. However, just like any drug irrational usage may lead to unforeseen negative effects. Exploring neuro-epigenetics and systems pharmacology of major and minor phytocannabinoid combinations can lead to success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Banerjee
- Medicinal Plant Innovation Center of Mae Fah Luang University, Mae Fah Luang University, ChiangRai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Debolina Saha
- School of Bioscience and Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Wuttichai Jaidee
- Medicinal Plant Innovation Center of Mae Fah Luang University, Mae Fah Luang University, ChiangRai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Panupong Puttarak
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand; Phytomedicine and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Excellence Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | | | - Rawiwan Chaoroensup
- Medicinal Plant Innovation Center of Mae Fah Luang University, Mae Fah Luang University, ChiangRai, 57100, Thailand; School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Raeber J, Poetzsch M, Schmidli A, Favrod S, Steuer C. Simultaneous quantification of terpenes and cannabinoids by reversed-phase LC-APCI-MS/MS in Cannabis sativa L. samples combined with a subsequent chemometric analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:4193-4206. [PMID: 38795214 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05349-y] [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: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. has been the most discussed medicinal plant in recent years. In particular, the dynamic shift from a formerly illicit and tightly controlled substance to a plant recognized for both medicinal and recreational purposes has brought C. sativa into the global spotlight. Due to the ongoing international legalization processes, fast and convenient analytical methods for the quality control of C. sativa flowers for medicinal and recreational purposes are of tremendous interest. In this study, we report the development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based method applying atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) to fully quantify 16 terpenes and 7 cannabinoids including their acidic forms by a single chromatographic method. The method presented here is unique and simple, as it eliminates the need for derivatization reactions and includes the unconventional analysis of volatile compounds by liquid chromatography. Samples were prepared by a simple and fast ethanolic extraction. Separation was accomplished within 25 min on a reversed-phase C18 column. Method validation was conducted according to international guidelines regarding selectivity, accuracy, precision, robustness, and linearity. Detection was done in multiple reaction monitoring, which allowed the simultaneous quantification of co-eluting analytes applying two selective mass transitions. In addition, due to reproducible in-source decarboxylation, the acidic forms of cannabinoids were reliably quantified using mass transitions of the neutral forms. The accuracy given as the bias was below 15% for all analytes. Matrix effects for cannabinoids were studied by spiking Humulus lupulus extracts with the analytes at varying concentrations. APCI did not show susceptibility toward ion suppression or enhancement. In addition, the recovery effect after spiking was between 80 and 120% for terpenes. Further, 55 authentic C. sativa extracts were fully quantified, and the obtained results for the terpene profiles were compared to state-of-the-art gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection. Comparable results were achieved, emphasizing the method's applicability for cannabinoids and terpenes. Further, acquired metabolite patterns for C. sativa samples were studied, identifying a relationship between cannabinoid and terpene patterns, as well as the abundance of myrcene in CBD-dominant C. sativa strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justine Raeber
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Poetzsch
- Swiss Drug Testing GmbH, Technoparkstrasse 2, CH-8406, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Anina Schmidli
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sina Favrod
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Steuer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Woźniczka K, Trojan V, Urbanowicz K, Schreiber P, Zadrożna J, Bączek T, Smoleński RT, Roszkowska A. In vivo profiling of phytocannabinoids in Cannabis spp. varieties via SPME-LC-MS analysis. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1306:342621. [PMID: 38692790 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342621] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a minimally invasive, non-exhaustive sample-preparation technique that facilitates the direct isolation of low molecular weight compounds from biological matrices in living systems. This technique is especially useful for the analysis of phytocannabinoids (PCs) in plant material, both for forensic purposes and for monitoring the PC content in growing Cannabis spp. plants. In contrast to traditional extraction techniques, in vivo SPME enables continuous tracking of the changes in the level of PCs during plant growth without the need for plant material collection. In this study, in vivo SPME utilizing biocompatible C18 probes and liquid-chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) is proposed as a novel strategy for the extraction and analysis of the acidic forms of five PCs in growing medicinal cannabis plants. RESULTS The SPME method was optimized by testing various parameters, including the extraction phase (coating), extraction and desorption times, and the extraction temperature. The proposed method was validated with satisfactory analytical performance regarding linearity (10-3000 ng/mL), limits of quantification, and precision (relative standard deviations below 5.5 %). The proposed method was then successfully applied for the isolation of five acidic forms of PCs, which are main components of growing medicinal cannabis plants. As a proof-of-concept, SPME probes were statically inserted into the inflorescences of two varieties of Cannabis spp. plants (i.e., CBD-dominant and Δ9-THC-dominant) cultivated under controlled conditions for 30 min extraction of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabiviarinic acid (CBVA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA). SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY The results confirmed that the developed SPME-LC-Q-TOF-MS method is a precise and efficient tool that enables direct and rapid isolation and analysis of PCs under in vivo conditions. The proposed methodology is highly appealing option for monitoring the metabolic pathways and compositions of multiple PCs in medicinal cannabis at different stages of plant growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Woźniczka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Hallera 107, 80-416, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Václav Trojan
- Cannabis Facility, International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarská 53, 60200, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Natural Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého 1946/1, 61200, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Krzysztof Urbanowicz
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Patrik Schreiber
- Cannabis Facility, International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarská 53, 60200, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Julia Zadrożna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Hallera 107, 80-416, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Tomasz Bączek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Hallera 107, 80-416, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ryszard Tomasz Smoleński
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Roszkowska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Hallera 107, 80-416, Gdańsk, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Myoli A, Choene M, Kappo AP, Madala NE, van der Hooft JJJ, Tugizimana F. Charting the Cannabis plant chemical space with computational metabolomics. Metabolomics 2024; 20:62. [PMID: 38796627 PMCID: PMC11127828 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The chemical classification of Cannabis is typically confined to the cannabinoid content, whilst Cannabis encompasses diverse chemical classes that vary in abundance among all its varieties. Hence, neglecting other chemical classes within Cannabis strains results in a restricted and biased comprehension of elements that may contribute to chemical intricacy and the resultant medicinal qualities of the plant. OBJECTIVES Thus, herein, we report a computational metabolomics study to elucidate the Cannabis metabolic map beyond the cannabinoids. METHODS Mass spectrometry-based computational tools were used to mine and evaluate the methanolic leaf and flower extracts of two Cannabis cultivars: Amnesia haze (AMNH) and Royal dutch cheese (RDC). RESULTS The results revealed the presence of different chemical compound classes including cannabinoids, but extending it to flavonoids and phospholipids at varying distributions across the cultivar plant tissues, where the phenylpropnoid superclass was more abundant in the leaves than in the flowers. Therefore, the two cultivars were differentiated based on the overall chemical content of their plant tissues where AMNH was observed to be more dominant in the flavonoid content while RDC was more dominant in the lipid-like molecules. Additionally, in silico molecular docking studies in combination with biological assay studies indicated the potentially differing anti-cancer properties of the two cultivars resulting from the elucidated chemical profiles. CONCLUSION These findings highlight distinctive chemical profiles beyond cannabinoids in Cannabis strains. This novel mapping of the metabolomic landscape of Cannabis provides actionable insights into plant biochemistry and justifies selecting certain varieties for medicinal use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akhona Myoli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | - Mpho Choene
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | - Abidemi Paul Kappo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | | | - Justin J J van der Hooft
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa.
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, 6708 PB, the Netherlands.
| | - Fidele Tugizimana
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa.
- International Research and Development Division, Omnia Group, Ltd., Bryanston, Johannesburg, 2021, South Africa.
- National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Boujenoui F, Nkambeu B, Salem JB, Castano Uruena JD, Beaudry F. Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol Antinociceptive Activity is Mediated by Distinct Receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:935-948. [PMID: 38141130 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis has gained popularity in recent years as a substitute treatment for pain following the risks of typical treatments uncovered by the opioid crisis. The active ingredients frequently associated with pain-relieving effects are the phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), but their effectiveness and mechanisms of action are still under research. In this study, we used Caenorhabditis elegans, an ideal model organism for the study of nociception that expresses mammal ortholog cannabinoid (NPR-19 and NPR-32) and vanilloid (OSM-9 and OCR-2) receptors. Here, we evaluated the antinociceptive activity of THC and CBD, identifying receptor targets and several metabolic pathways activated following exposure to these molecules. The thermal avoidance index was used to phenotype each tested C. elegans experimental group. The data revealed for the first time that THC and CBD decreases the nocifensive response of C. elegans to noxious heat (32-35 °C). The effect was reversed 6 h post- CBD exposure but not for THC. Further investigations using specific mutants revealed CBD and THC are targeting different systems, namely the vanilloid and cannabinoid systems, respectively. Proteomic analysis revealed differences following Reactome pathways and gene ontology biological process database enrichment analyses between CBD or THC-treated nematodes and provided insights into potential targets for future drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Boujenoui
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Bruno Nkambeu
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jennifer Ben Salem
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jesus David Castano Uruena
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lahaise M, Boujenoui F, Beaudry F. Cannflavins isolated from Cannabis sativa impede Caenorhabditis elegans response to noxious heat. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:535-548. [PMID: 37480489 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02621-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannflavins, flavonoids abundantly present in Cannabis sativa, possess a distinct chemical structure comprising a vanillyl group. Notably, the capsaicin structure also contains a vanillyl group, which is considered essential for interacting with the vanilloid receptor. The vanilloid receptor plays a crucial role in the perception of pain, heat, and inflammation and mediates the analgesic effects of capsaicin. Therefore, we postulated that prolonged exposure to cannflavin A (Can A) and cannflavin B (Can B) would provoke vanilloid receptor desensitization and hinder nocifensive responses to noxious thermal stimuli. C. elegans wild-type (N2) and mutants were exposed to Can A and Can B solutions for 60 min and then aliquoted on Petri dishes divided into quadrants for thermal stimulation. We then determined the thermal avoidance index for each C. elegans experimental group. Proteomics was performed to identify proteins and pathways associated with Can A or B treatment. Prolonged exposure to Can A and Can B hindered heat avoidance (32-35 °C) in C. elegans. No antinociceptive effect was observed 6 h post Can A or B exposure. Proteomics and Reactome pathway enrichment analyses identified hierarchical differences between Can A- and B-treated nematodes. However, both treatments were related to eukaryotic translation initiation (R-CEL-72613) and metabolic processes strongly associated with pain development. Our study aids in characterizing the pharmacological activity of cannflavins isolated from Cannabis sativa and outlines a possible application as pain therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Lahaise
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Faculté Des Arts Et Des Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Fatma Boujenoui
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang J, Lin C, Jin S, Wang H, Wang Y, Du X, Hutchinson MR, Zhao H, Fang L, Wang X. The pharmacology and therapeutic role of cannabidiol in diabetes. EXPLORATION (BEIJING, CHINA) 2023; 3:20230047. [PMID: 37933286 PMCID: PMC10582612 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20230047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, has garnered substantial interest in drug development due to its broad pharmacological activity and multi-target effects. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that can damage multiple organs in the body, leading to the development of complications such as abnormal kidney function, vision loss, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. CBD has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in treating diabetes mellitus and its complications owing to its various pharmacological effects. This work summarizes the role of CBD in diabetes and its impact on complications such as cardiovascular dysfunction, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Strategies for discovering molecular targets for CBD in the treatment of diabetes and its complications are also proposed. Moreover, ways to optimize the structure of CBD based on known targets to generate new CBD analogues are explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- Department of GeriatricsThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunPeople's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsPeking UniversityBeijingPeople's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesChangchunPeople's Republic of China
| | - Cong Lin
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesChangchunPeople's Republic of China
| | - Sha Jin
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesChangchunPeople's Republic of China
- School of Applied Chemistry and EngineeringUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Hongshuang Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesChangchunPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yibo Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesChangchunPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiubo Du
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and EcologyCollege of Life Sciences and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenPeople's Republic of China
| | - Mark R. Hutchinson
- Discipline of PhysiologyAdelaide Medical SchoolUniversity of AdelaideThe Commonwealth of AustraliaAdelaideAustralia
- ARC Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonicsUniversity of AdelaideThe Commonwealth of AustraliaAdelaideAustralia
| | - Huiying Zhao
- Department of GeriatricsThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunPeople's Republic of China
| | - Le Fang
- Department of NeurologyThe China‐Japan Union Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsPeking UniversityBeijingPeople's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesChangchunPeople's Republic of China
- School of Applied Chemistry and EngineeringUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiPeople's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesBeijingPeople's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Aguzzi C, Perinelli DR, Cespi M, Zeppa L, Mazzara E, Maggi F, Petrelli R, Bonacucina G, Nabissi M. Encapsulation of Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) Essential Oils into Nanoemulsions for Potential Therapeutic Applications: Assessment of Cytotoxicological Profiles. Molecules 2023; 28:6479. [PMID: 37764255 PMCID: PMC10537312 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186479] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), due to its bioactive compounds (terpenes and cannabinoids), has gained increasing interest in different fields, including for medical purposes. The evaluation of the safety profile of hemp essential oil (EO) and its encapsulated form (nanoemulsion, NE) is a relevant aspect for potential therapeutic applications. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicological effect of hemp EOs and NEs from cultivars Carmagnola CS and Uso 31 on three cell lines selected as models for topical and inhalant administration, by evaluating the cytotoxicity and the cytokine expression profiles. Results show that EOs and their NEs have comparable cytotoxicity, if considering the quantity of EO present in the NE. Moreover, cells treated with EOs and NEs showed, in most of the cases, lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines compared to Etoposide used as a positive control, and the basal level of inflammatory cytokines was not altered, suggesting a safety profile of hemp EOs and their NEs to support their use for medical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Aguzzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.A.); (L.Z.)
| | - Diego Romano Perinelli
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.R.P.); (M.C.); (E.M.); (F.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Marco Cespi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.R.P.); (M.C.); (E.M.); (F.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Laura Zeppa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.A.); (L.Z.)
| | - Eugenia Mazzara
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.R.P.); (M.C.); (E.M.); (F.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Filippo Maggi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.R.P.); (M.C.); (E.M.); (F.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Riccardo Petrelli
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.R.P.); (M.C.); (E.M.); (F.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Giulia Bonacucina
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.R.P.); (M.C.); (E.M.); (F.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Massimo Nabissi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.A.); (L.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Maccarrone M, Di Marzo V, Gertsch J, Grether U, Howlett AC, Hua T, Makriyannis A, Piomelli D, Ueda N, van der Stelt M. Goods and Bads of the Endocannabinoid System as a Therapeutic Target: Lessons Learned after 30 Years. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:885-958. [PMID: 37164640 PMCID: PMC10441647 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The cannabis derivative marijuana is the most widely used recreational drug in the Western world and is consumed by an estimated 83 million individuals (∼3% of the world population). In recent years, there has been a marked transformation in society regarding the risk perception of cannabis, driven by its legalization and medical use in many states in the United States and worldwide. Compelling research evidence and the Food and Drug Administration cannabis-derived cannabidiol approval for severe childhood epilepsy have confirmed the large therapeutic potential of cannabidiol itself, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids). Of note, our body has a complex endocannabinoid system (ECS)-made of receptors, metabolic enzymes, and transporters-that is also regulated by phytocannabinoids. The first endocannabinoid to be discovered 30 years ago was anandamide (N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine); since then, distinct elements of the ECS have been the target of drug design programs aimed at curing (or at least slowing down) a number of human diseases, both in the central nervous system and at the periphery. Here a critical review of our knowledge of the goods and bads of the ECS as a therapeutic target is presented to define the benefits of ECS-active phytocannabinoids and ECS-oriented synthetic drugs for human health. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The endocannabinoid system plays important roles virtually everywhere in our body and is either involved in mediating key processes of central and peripheral diseases or represents a therapeutic target for treatment. Therefore, understanding the structure, function, and pharmacology of the components of this complex system, and in particular of key receptors (like cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2) and metabolic enzymes (like fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase), will advance our understanding of endocannabinoid signaling and activity at molecular, cellular, and system levels, providing new opportunities to treat patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Uwe Grether
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Allyn C Howlett
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Tian Hua
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Christensen C, Rose M, Cornett C, Allesø M. Decoding the Postulated Entourage Effect of Medicinal Cannabis: What It Is and What It Isn't. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2323. [PMID: 37626819 PMCID: PMC10452568 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The 'entourage effect' term was originally coined in a pre-clinical study observing endogenous bio-inactive metabolites potentiating the activity of a bioactive endocannabinoid. As a hypothetical afterthought, this was proposed to hold general relevance to the usage of products based on Cannabis sativa L. The term was later juxtaposed to polypharmacy pertaining to full-spectrum medicinal Cannabis products exerting an overall higher effect than the single compounds. Since the emergence of the term, a discussion of its pharmacological foundation and relevance has been ongoing. Advocates suggest that the 'entourage effect' is the reason many patients experience an overall better effect from full-spectrum products. Critics state that the term is unfounded and used primarily for marketing purposes in the Cannabis industry. This scoping review aims to segregate the primary research claiming as well as disputing the existence of the 'entourage effect' from a pharmacological perspective. The literature on this topic is in its infancy. Existing pre-clinical and clinical studies are in general based on simplistic methodologies and show contradictory findings, with the clinical data mostly relying on anecdotal and real-world evidence. We propose that the 'entourage effect' is explained by traditional pharmacological terms pertaining to other plant-based medicinal products and polypharmacy in general (e.g., synergistic interactions and bioenhancement).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Christensen
- Tetra Pharm Technologies ApS, Rugmarken 10, DK-3650 Ølstykke, Denmark; (M.R.); (M.A.)
| | - Martin Rose
- Tetra Pharm Technologies ApS, Rugmarken 10, DK-3650 Ølstykke, Denmark; (M.R.); (M.A.)
| | - Claus Cornett
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Morten Allesø
- Tetra Pharm Technologies ApS, Rugmarken 10, DK-3650 Ølstykke, Denmark; (M.R.); (M.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wyrobnik I, Steinberg M, Gelfand A, Rosenblum R, Eid Mutlak Y, Sulimani L, Procaccia S, Ofran Y, Novak-Kotzer H, Meiri D. Decreased melanoma CSF-1 secretion by Cannabigerol treatment reprograms regulatory myeloid cells and reduces tumor progression. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2219164. [PMID: 37325437 PMCID: PMC10262794 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2219164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
During solid tumor progression, the tumor microenvironment (TME) evolves into a highly immunosuppressive milieu. Key players in the immunosuppressive environment are regulatory myeloid cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which are recruited and activated via tumor-secreted cytokines such as colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1). Therefore, the depletion of tumor-secreted cytokines is a leading anticancer strategy. Here, we found that CSF-1 secretion by melanoma cells is decreased following treatment with Cannabis extracts. Cannabigerol (CBG) was identified as the bioactive cannabinoid responsible for the effects. Conditioned media from cells treated with pure CBG or the high-CBG extract reduced the expansion and macrophage transition of the monocytic-MDSC subpopulation. Treated MO-MDSCs also expressed lower levels of iNOS, leading to restored CD8+ T-cell activation. Tumor-bearing mice treated with CBG presented reduced tumor progression, lower TAM frequencies and reduced TAM/M1 ratio. A combination of CBG and αPD-L1 was more effective in reducing tumor progression, enhancing survival and increasing the infiltration of activated cytotoxic T-cells than each treatment separately. We show a novel mechanism for CBG in modulating the TME and enhancing immune checkpoint blockade therapy, underlining its promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of a variety of tumors with elevated CSF-1 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Wyrobnik
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Miryam Steinberg
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Anat Gelfand
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ronen Rosenblum
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yara Eid Mutlak
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Liron Sulimani
- The Kleifeld Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- Cannasoul Analytics, Caesarea, Israel
| | - Shiri Procaccia
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yishai Ofran
- Department of Hematology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hila Novak-Kotzer
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - David Meiri
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Berman P, de Haro LA, Jozwiak A, Panda S, Pinkas Z, Dong Y, Cveticanin J, Barbole R, Livne R, Scherf T, Shimoni E, Levin-Zaidman S, Dezorella N, Petrovich-Kopitman E, Meir S, Rogachev I, Sonawane PD, Aharoni A. Parallel evolution of cannabinoid biosynthesis. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:817-831. [PMID: 37127748 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of the endocannabinoid system is projected to have therapeutic potential in almost all human diseases. Accordingly, the high demand for novel cannabinoids stimulates the discovery of untapped sources and efficient manufacturing technologies. Here we explored Helichrysum umbraculigerum, an Asteraceae species unrelated to Cannabis sativa that produces Cannabis-type cannabinoids (for example, 4.3% cannabigerolic acid). In contrast to Cannabis, cannabinoids in H. umbraculigerum accumulate in leaves' glandular trichomes rather than in flowers. The integration of de novo whole-genome sequencing data with unambiguous chemical structure annotation, enzymatic assays and pathway reconstitution in Nicotiana benthamiana and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has uncovered the molecular and chemical features of this plant. Apart from core biosynthetic enzymes, we reveal tailoring ones producing previously unknown cannabinoid metabolites. Orthology analyses demonstrate that cannabinoid synthesis evolved in parallel in H. umbraculigerum and Cannabis. Our discovery provides a currently unexploited source of cannabinoids and tools for engineering in heterologous hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Berman
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Luis Alejandro de Haro
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adam Jozwiak
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sayantan Panda
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Zoe Pinkas
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Younghui Dong
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jelena Cveticanin
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ranjit Barbole
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Rotem Livne
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Scherf
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eyal Shimoni
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Smadar Levin-Zaidman
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nili Dezorella
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Sagit Meir
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ilana Rogachev
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Prashant D Sonawane
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
- Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
| | - Asaph Aharoni
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kuhathasan N, Ballester PL, Minuzzi L, MacKillop J, Frey BN. Predictors of perceived symptom change with acute cannabis use for mental health conditions in a naturalistic sample: A machine learning approach. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 122:152377. [PMID: 36787672 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite limited clinical evidence of its efficacy, cannabis use has been commonly reported for the management of various mental health concerns in naturalistic field studies. The aim of the current study was to use machine learning methods to investigate predictors of perceived symptom change across various mental health symptoms with acute cannabis use in a large naturalistic sample. METHODS Data from 68,819 unique observations of cannabis use from 1307 individuals using cannabis to manage mental health symptoms were analyzed. Data were extracted from Strainprint®, a mobile app that allows users to monitor their cannabis use for therapeutic purposes. Machine learning models were employed to predict self-perceived symptom change after cannabis use, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) value plots were used to assess feature importance of individual predictors in the model. Interaction effects of symptom severity pre-scores of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and gender were also examined. RESULTS The factors that were most strongly associated with perceived symptom change following acute cannabis use were pre-symptom severity, age, gender, and the ratio of CBD to THC. Further examination on the impact of baseline severity for the most commonly reported symptoms revealed distinct responses, with cannabis being reported to more likely benefit individuals with lower pre-symptom severity for depression, and higher pre-symptom severity for insomnia. Responses to cannabis use also differed between genders. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study highlight the importance of several factors in predicting perceived symptom change with acute cannabis use for mental health symptom management. Mental health profiles and baseline symptom severity may play a large role in perceived responses to cannabis. Distinct response patterns were also noted across commonly reported mental health symptoms, emphasizing the need for placebo-controlled cannabis trials for specific user profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nirushi Kuhathasan
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Pedro L Ballester
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Luciano Minuzzi
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - James MacKillop
- Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University/St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Benicio N Frey
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fernández S, Castro R, López-Radcenco A, Rodriguez P, Carrera I, García-Carnelli C, Moyna G. Beyond cannabinoids: Application of NMR-based metabolomics for the assessment of Cannabis sativa L. crop health. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1025932. [PMID: 37035042 PMCID: PMC10075229 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1025932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
While Cannabis sativa L. varieties have been traditionally characterized by their major cannabinoid profile, it is now well established that other plant metabolites can also have physiological effects, including minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Given the multiple applications of cannabis in the medical field, it is therefore critical to characterize it according to its chemical composition (i.e., its metabolome) and not only its botanical traits. With this in mind, the cannabinoid and metabolomic profiles from inflorescences of two C. sativa varieties with either high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) or high cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) contents harvested at different times were studied. According to results from HPLC and NMR-based untargeted metabolomic analyses of organic and aqueous plant material extracts, we show that in addition to expected variations according to cannabinoid profiles, it is possible to distinguish between harvests of the same variety. In particular, it was possible to correlate variations in the metabolome with presence of powdery mildew, leading to the identification of molecular markers associated with this fungal infection in C. sativa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Fernández
- Laboratorio de Farmacognosia y Productos Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossina Castro
- Laboratorio de Farmacognosia y Productos Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés López-Radcenco
- Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Orgánica, Departamento de Química del Litoral, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú, Uruguay
| | - Paula Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Biocatálisis y Biotransformaciones, Departamento de Química Orgánica and Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Inés Carrera
- Laboratorio de Experimentación Animal – Área Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos García-Carnelli
- Laboratorio de Farmacognosia y Productos Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Guillermo Moyna
- Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Orgánica, Departamento de Química del Litoral, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kitdumrongthum S, Trachootham D. An Individuality of Response to Cannabinoids: Challenges in Safety and Efficacy of Cannabis Products. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062791. [PMID: 36985763 PMCID: PMC10058560 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062791] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Since legalization, cannabis/marijuana has been gaining considerable attention as a functional ingredient in food. ∆-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids are key bioactive compounds with health benefits. The oral consumption of cannabis transports much less hazardous chemicals than smoking. Nevertheless, the response to cannabis is biphasically dose-dependent (hormesis; a low-dose stimulation and a high-dose inhibition) with wide individuality in responses. Thus, the exact same dose and preparation of cannabis may be beneficial for some but toxic to others. The purpose of this review is to highlight the concept of individual variations in response to cannabinoids, which leads to the challenge of establishing standard safe doses of cannabis products for the general population. The mechanisms of actions, acute and chronic toxicities, and factors affecting responses to cannabis products are updated. Based on the literature review, we found that the response to cannabis products depends on exposure factors (delivery route, duration, frequency, and interactions with food and drugs), individual factors (age, sex), and susceptibility factors (genetic polymorphisms of cannabinoid receptor gene, N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing enzymes, THC-metabolizing enzymes, and epigenetic regulations). Owing to the individuality of responses, the safest way to use cannabis-containing food products is to start low, go slow, and stay low.
Collapse
|
16
|
Endocannabinoid System: Chemical Characteristics and Biological Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16020148. [PMID: 37017445 PMCID: PMC9966761 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (eCB) has been studied to identify the molecular structures present in Cannabis sativa. eCB consists of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands, and the associated enzymatic apparatus responsible for maintaining energy homeostasis and cognitive processes. Several physiological effects of cannabinoids are exerted through interactions with various receptors, such as CB1 and CB2 receptors, vanilloid receptors, and the recently discovered G-protein-coupled receptors (GPR55, GPR3, GPR6, GPR12, and GPR19). Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidoylglycerol (2-AG), two small lipids derived from arachidonic acid, showed high-affinity binding to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. eCB plays a critical role in chronic pain and mood disorders and has been extensively studied because of its wide therapeutic potential and because it is a promising target for the development of new drugs. Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids have shown varied affinities for eCB and are relevant to the treatment of several neurological diseases. This review provides a description of eCB components and discusses how phytocannabinoids and other exogenous compounds may regulate the eCB balance. Furthermore, we show the hypo- or hyperfunctionality of eCB in the body and how eCB is related to chronic pain and mood disorders, even with integrative and complementary health practices (ICHP) harmonizing the eCB.
Collapse
|
17
|
Blal K, Besser E, Procaccia S, Schwob O, Lerenthal Y, Abu Tair J, Meiri D, Benny O. The Effect of Cannabis Plant Extracts on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the Quest for Cannabis-Based Personalized Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020497. [PMID: 36672446 PMCID: PMC9856564 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis sativa plants have a wide diversity in their metabolite composition among their different chemovars, facilitating diverse anti-tumoral effects on cancer cells. This research examined the anti-tumoral effects of 24 cannabis extracts representative of three primary types of chemovars on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The chemical composition of the extracts was determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). The most potent anti-tumoral extracts were type III decarboxylated extracts, with high levels of Cannabidiol (CBD). We identified extract 296 (CAN296) as the most potent in inducing HNSCC cell death via proapoptotic and anti-proliferative effects. Using chemical fractionation of CAN296, we identified the CBD fraction as the primary inducer of the anti-tumoral activity. We succeeded in defining the combination of CBD with cannabichromene (CBC) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in minute concentrations in the extract, yielding a synergic impact that mimics the extract's full effect. The cytotoxic effect could be maximized by combining CBD with either CBC or THC in a ratio of 2:1. This research suggests using decarboxylated CBD-type extracts enriched with CBC for future preclinical trials aimed at HNSCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kifah Blal
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112002, Israel
| | - Elazar Besser
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Shiri Procaccia
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Ouri Schwob
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112002, Israel
| | | | - Jawad Abu Tair
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - David Meiri
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (O.B.); Tel.: +972-52-5330031 (D.M.); +972-52-8461462 (O.B.)
| | - Ofra Benny
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112002, Israel
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (O.B.); Tel.: +972-52-5330031 (D.M.); +972-52-8461462 (O.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Aviram J, Procaccia S, Vysotski Y, Meiri D. Reply to Montmeat et al. Pain 2022; 163:e1220-e1221. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|