“Cannabis sativa L. crops have been traditionally exploited as sources of fibers, nutrients, and bioactive phytochemicals of medical interest. In the present study, two terpene-rich organic extracts, namely FOJ and FOS, obtained from Felina 32 hemp inflorescences collected in June and September, respectively, have been studied for their in vitro anticancer properties. Particularly, their cytotoxicity was evaluated in different cancer cell lines, and the possible entourage effect between nonintoxicating phytocannabinoids (cannabidiol and cannabichromene) and caryophyllane sesquiterpenes (β-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide and α-humulene), as identified at GC/MS analysis, was characterized. Modulation of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors was studied as a mechanistic hypothesis. Results highlighted marked cytotoxic effects of FOJ, FOS, and pure compounds in triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells, likely mediated by a CB2 receptor activation. Cannabidiol was the main cytotoxic constituent, although low levels of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes and cannabichromene induced potentiating effects; the presence in the extracts of unknown antagonistic compounds has been highlighted too. These results suggest an interest in Felina 32 hemp inflorescences as a source of bioactive phytocomplexes with anticancer properties and strengthen the importance of considering the possible involvement of minor terpenes, such as caryophyllane sesquiterpenes, in the entourage effect of hemp-based extracts.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34771097/
“The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis, a balance in internal environment (temperature, mood, and immune system) and energy input and output in living, biological systems.
“Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) were isolated from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) and were further encapsulated with cannabidiol (CBD) through sonication method (CBD EVs). CBD EVs displayed an average particle size of 114.1±1.02 nm, zeta potential of -30.26±0.12 mV, entrapment efficiency of 92.3±2.21% and stability for several months at 4 °C. CBD release from the EVs was observed as 50.74±2.44% and 53.99±1.4% at pH 6.8 and pH 7.4, respectively after 48 h. Ourin-vitrostudies demonstrated that CBD either alone or in EVs form significantly sensitized MDA-MB-231 cells to doxorubicin (DOX) (*P<0.05). Flow cytometry and migration studies revealed that CBD EVs either alone or in combination with DOX induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest and decreased migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. CBD EVs and DOX combination significantly reduced tumor burden (***P<0.001) in MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumor model. Western blotting and immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that CBD EVs and DOX combination decreased the expression of proteins involved in inflammation, metastasis and increased the expression of proteins involved in apoptosis. CBD EVs and DOX combination will have profound clinical significance in not only decreasing the side effects but also increasing the therapeutic efficacy of DOX in TNBC.”
“Cannabis sativa
“Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. In the last years, cannabinoids have gained attention in the clinical setting and clinical trials with cannabinoid-based preparations are underway. However, contradictory anti-tumour properties have also been reported. Thus, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms behind their anti-tumour efficacy is crucial to better understand its therapeutic potential.
“Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an imbalance between the ER’s protein-folding load and capacity. It can be induced by various physiological conditions, activating the unfolded protein response to re-establish homeostasis, promoting cell survival. Under severe or chronic stress, apoptosis is induced. Normal cells generally do not experience continuous ER stress induction. The stressful conditions experienced in the tumour microenvironment facilitates chronic ER stress and UPR activation, which plays a pivotal role in tumour survival.
“Background: Breast Cancer (BC), a common death-causing disease and the deadliest cancer next to lung cancer, is characterized by an abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the breast. BC chemotherapy is marked by targeting the activities of some receptors such as Estrogen Receptor alpha (ER-α). At present, one of the most commonly used and approved marketed therapeutic drug for BC is tamoxifen. Despite the short term success of tamoxifen usage, its long time treatment has been associated with significant side effects. Therefore, there is a pressing need for the development of novel anti-estrogens for the prevention and treatment of BC.
“Cannabis has long been used for healing and recreation in several regions of the world. Over 400 bioactive constituents, including more than 100 phytocannabinoids, have been isolated from this plant. The non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) and the psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) are the major and widely studied constituents from this plant.