Identification of p-Coumaric Acid and Ethyl p-Coumarate as the Main Phenolic Components of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Roots

Cannabis Roots: Therapeutic, Biotechnological and Environmental Aspects

Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018, the number of licenses for this crop has increased significantly, resulting in an increase in waste generated. Nevertheless, cannabis roots were once used for their therapeutic properties, indicating that they could be valued today rather than dismissed. This review will focus on both traditional therapeutic aspects and potential use of roots in modern medicine while detailing the main studies on active phytomolecules found in cannabis roots. The environmental impact of cannabis cultivation and current knowledge of the root-associated microbiome are also presented as well as their potential applications in biotechnology and phytoremediation. Thus, several high added-value applications of cannabis roots resulting from scientific advances in recent years can be considered to remove them from discarded residues.

Chemical Analysis of the Antihyperglycemic, and Pancreatic α-Amylase, Lipase, and Intestinal α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of Cannabis sativa L. Seed Extracts

Cannabis is considered (Cannabis sativa L.) a sacred herb in many countries and is vastly employed in traditional medicine to remedy numerous diseases, such as diabetes. This research investigates the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts from Cannabis sativa L. seeds. Furthermore, the impact of these extracts on pancreatic α-amylase and lipase, and intestinal α-glucosidase enzymes is evaluated, as well as their antihyperglycemic effect. Analysis of the chemical composition of the aqueous extract was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD). In contrast, the ethanol, hexanic, dichloromethane, and aqueous extract compositions have been established. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of ethanolic, dichloromethane, and aqueous extracts on pancreatic α-amylase and lipase, and intestinal α-glucosidase activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results of HPLC analysis indicate that the most abundant phenolic compound in the aqueous cannabis seed extract is 3-hydroxycinnamic acid, followed by 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and rutin acid. Moreover, administration of ethanolic and aqueous extracts at a dose of 150 mg/Kg significantly suppressed postprandial hyperglycemia compared to the control group; the ethanolic, dichloromethane, and aqueous extracts significantly inhibit pancreatic α-amylase and lipase, and intestinal α-glucosidase in vitro. The pancreatic α-amylase test exhibited an inhibition with IC50 values of 16.36 ± 1.24 µg/mL, 19.33 ± 1.40 µg/mL, 23.53 ± 1.70 µg/mL, and 17.06 ± 9.91 µg/mL for EAq, EDm, EET, and EHx, respectively. EET has the highest inhibitory capacity for intestinal α-glucosidase activity, with an IC50 of 32.23 ± 3.26 µg/mL. The extracts inhibit porcine pancreatic lipase activity, demonstrating their potential as lipase inhibitors. Specifically, at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, the highest inhibition rate (77%) was observed for EDm. To confirm these results, the inhibitory effect of these extracts on enzymes was tested in vivo. The oral intake of aqueous extract markedly reduced starch- and sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in healthy rats. Administration of the ethanolic extract at a specific dose of 150 mg/kg significantly reduced postprandial glycemia compared with the control group. It is, therefore, undeniable that cannabis extracts represent a promising option as a potentially effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.

GC/MS analysis of the hydrodistilled essential oils and volatiles from the aerial parts of Cannabis sativa L

Cannabis sativa L. has been recognised as a narcotic drug in different parts of the world. The current report deals with the screening of the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs) and volatiles obtained from the aerial ports of Cannabis sativa L. (APCS) using classical hydrodistillation (HD), solid phase microextraction (SPME) along with a new technique namely innovative cigarette ignition (Incigig); all in combination with GC/MS. The characterised profiles had considerable differences from quantitative and qualitative points of view, with a high prevalence of non-terpene hydrocarbons for the EO and oxygenated monoterpenes for both volatiles using SPME and Incigig approaches.

Protective Effects of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Root Extracts against Insulin-Deficient Diabetes Mellitus In Mice

The pharmacological potential of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) has been widely studied. However, the majority of studies have focused on cannabidiol, isolated from the inflorescence and leaf of the plant. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-diabetic potential of hemp root water (HWE) and ethanol extracts (HEE) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced insulin-deficient diabetic mice. The administration of HWE and HEE ameliorated hyperglycemia and improved glucose homeostasis and islet function in STZ-treated mice (p < 0.05). HWE and HEE suppressed β-cell apoptosis and cytokine-induced inflammatory signaling in the pancreas (p < 0.05). Moreover, HWE and HEE normalized insulin-signaling defects in skeletal muscles and apoptotic response in the liver and kidney induced by STZ (p < 0.05). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of HWE and HEE showed possible active compounds which might be responsible for the observed anti-diabetic potential. These findings indicate the possible mechanisms by which hemp root extracts protect mice against insulin-deficient diabetes, and support the need for further studies geared towards the application of hemp root as a novel bioactive material.

Recent Research on Cannabis sativa L.: Phytochemistry, New Matrices, Cultivation Techniques, and Recent Updates on Its Brain-Related Effects (2018-2023)

Cannabis sativa L. is a plant that humankind has been using for millennia. The basis of its widespread utilization is its adaptability to so many different climatic conditions, with easy cultivability in numerous diverse environments. Because of its variegate phytochemistry, C. sativa has been used in many sectors, although the discovery of the presence in the plant of several psychotropic substances (e.g., Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) caused a drastic reduction of its cultivation and use together with its official ban from pharmacopeias. Fortunately, the discovery of Cannabis varieties with low content of THC as well as the biotechnological development of new clones rich in many phytochemical components endorsed with peculiar and many important bioactivities has demanded the reassessment of these species, the study and use of which are currently experiencing new and important developments. In this review we focus our attention on the phytochemistry, new matrices, suitable agronomic techniques, and new biological activities developed in the five last years.