“Purpose: Cystic echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Albendazole (ABZ) is the drug of choice, although its efficacy is variable. The present research aimed to assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of a full-spectrum extract of Cannabis sativa inflorescences against E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.).
Methods: Protoscoleces and cysts were incubated in vitro with the C. sativa extract, achieving final CBD concentrations of 1, 5, 10, and 50 µg/ml. Viability was evaluated periodically. Structural and ultrastructural alterations were also recorded. For the clinical efficacy study, female CF-1 mice were infected. Six months later, mice were divided into groups (n = 10): (a) water control; (b) ABZ; (c) C. sativa extract, and (d) ABZ + C. sativa extract. Treatments were administered every 24 h for 30 days. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated according to the weight of the cysts collected and the ultrastructural alterations observed.
Results: The C. sativa extract caused a significant decrease in the viability of protoscoleces and cysts in vitro. The greatest effect was observed with 50 µg/ml, which generated the reduction in protoscoleces viability to 0% between 6 and 24 h post-incubation (pi) and the collapse of 92 ± 13% of the cysts after 24 h pi. All the in vivo treatments reduced the weight of the cysts and caused ultrastructural alterations, especially the combination of ABZ + C. sativa extract.
Conclusion: We demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of a full-spectrum extract of C. sativa inflorescences against E. granulosus s.s.”
“Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) refers to a specific species within the Echinococcus granulosus complex, a group of tapeworms that cause cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans and other animals. This species, also known as the “sheep strain,” is the most prevalent cause of human CE globally.”
“Cystic echinococcosis in cattle and sheep caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto genotypes G1 and G3 in the USA”
“Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disorder caused by oxidative stress and dysregulation of lipid metabolism. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), particularly the type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptor, plays a crucial role in NAFLD progression. Cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), along with terpenes, such as beta-myrcene and d-limonene, have shown potential therapeutic effects on liver health, particularly in reducing oxidative stress and modulating lipid metabolism.
This study aimed to analyse the effects of five cannabis oils (COs), each with different CBD:THC ratios and terpenes content, on hypertension, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and CB1 receptor expression in an experimental model of NAFLD induced by a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) in Wistar rats for 3 weeks.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were fed either a: (1) reference diet (RD; standard commercial laboratory diet) or a: (2) sucrose-rich diet (SRD) for 3 weeks. 3 to 7 SRD + CO as following: (3) SRD + THC; (4) SRD + CBD; (5) SRD + CBD:THC 1:1; (6) SRD + CBD:THC 2:1; and (7) SRD + CBD:THC 3:1. The COs were administered orally at a dose of 1.5 mg total cannabinoids/kg body weight daily. The cannabinoid and terpenes content of all COs used in the study was determined. The terpenes found in COs were beta-myrcene, d-limonene, terpinolene, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, (-)-guaiol, (-)-alpha-bisabolol. During the experimental period, body weight, food intake and blood pressure were measured. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels were evaluated. Liver tissue histology, NAFLD activity score (NAS), triglyceride and cholesterol content, lipogenic enzyme activities, enzyme related to mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and antioxidant enzyme activities were also evaluated. The CB1 receptor expression was also determined.
Results: The results showed that SRD-fed rats developed hypertension, dyslipidemia, liver damage, hepatic steatosis, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. This was accompanied by upregulation of liver CB1 receptor expression. CBD-rich CO, CBD:THC 1:1 ratio CO; CBD:THC 2:1 ratio CO and CBD:THC 3:1 ratio CO showed antihypertensive properties. THC-rich CO, CBD:THC 1:1 ratio CO; CBD:THC 2:1 ratio CO showed the greatest beneficial effects against hepatic steatosis and liver damage. All COs exhibited antioxidant effects in liver tissue. This was associated with normal liver CB1 receptor expression.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that COs, particularly THC-rich CO, CBD:THC ratio 1:1 CO, CBD:THC ratio 2:1 CO and terpenes, can effectively reduce dyslipidemia, liver damage and hepatic steatosis in SRD-induced NAFLD. COs with a higher proportion of CBD in their composition showed antihypertensive properties. All the COs exhibited antioxidant properties. These findings suggest that COs, especially those with CBD:THC ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 and terpenes, may represent a promising therapeutic approach for managing NAFLD and preventing its progression to more severe liver disease.”
“This study demonstrated that COs, particularly THC-rich formulations, and those with CBD:THC ratios of 1:1 and 2:1, effectively reduced dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and liver damage in SRD-induced NAFLD. All COs exhibited significant antioxidant properties, which contributed to the attenuation of oxidative stress. Notably, oils containing CBD also displayed antihypertensive effects, likely due to their vasodilatory properties. The modulation of CB1 receptor is closely linked to the improvement in hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress. These results underscore the synergistic role of cannabinoids and terpenes in targeting key mechanisms involved in NAFLD pathophysiology.”
“These findings suggest that COs, especially those with balanced CBD: THC ratios (1:1 and 2:1) and with meaningful terpenes content, represent a promising therapeutic approach for managing NAFLD and preventing its progression to more severe liver diseases.”
“The endocannabinoid system (eCBS) plays a crucial role in pain modulation through its components, including endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), and metabolic enzymes.
Recent research highlights the interaction between the eCBS and non-opioid analgesics, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and pyrazolones. These agents may enhance endogenous endocannabinoid levels or influence eCBS signaling pathways, providing a multifaceted approach to pain relief.
This review examines the pharmacological mechanisms underlying these interactions, focusing on the potential of non-opioid eCBS interactions, detailing synergistic effects that could improve analgesic efficacy while minimizing side effects. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic implications of co-administering non-opioid analgesics with eCBS modulators to create more effective pain management strategies.
The combined modulation of non-opioid pathways and the eCBS represents a promising treatment for acute and chronic pain, warranting further clinical investigation and translational research in this evolving field.”
“Emerging Therapeutic Strategies: The integration of non-opioid medications with eCBS modulators represents a novel approach in pain management strategies, aiming to minimize opioid use while maximizing therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles during chronic pain management.”
“Background: Medical cannabis consumption is rising, but limited evidence informs the safety and efficacy of cannabis use in cancer patients. A national survey of oncology trainees found that most fellows felt insufficiently informed to make clinical recommendations about cannabis.
Aim: In this secondary analysis, we aimed to measure how frequently trainees recommend in favor of cannabis and determine factors influencing this clinical practice.
Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study for fellows enrolled in oncology training programs across the United States, an online survey assessing trainee practices regarding medical cannabis was sent to 155 oncology fellowship program directors from January – March 2021; who were asked to distribute it to their fellows. The primary outcome was the frequency with which oncology fellows recommended cannabis in the prior year.
Results: Nationally, 40 programs from 25 states participated, with 189 of 462 trainees across these programs responding (40.9% response rate). 22% (95% CI: 16.3-29.0%) of participants reported recommending medical cannabis to > 5 patients in the past year. 24% (95% CI: 18.4-30.5%) of participants had prior training in medical cannabis. Regarding participant characteristics, only prior training in medical cannabis was significantly associated with recommending cannabis to > 5 patients (RR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4-4.2).
Conclusions: With increasing cannabis use among patients with cancer and given that a substantial number of oncology fellows recommend its use, it is crucial that fellowship training incorporate evidence-based curricula regarding medical cannabis use to guide informed decision-making between patients and their fellow providers.”
“1 in 5 oncology fellows participating in our study recommended it to > 5 patients in the past year. Prior training in medical cannabis was the sole factor associated with higher rates of discussing and recommending its use to patients. Personalized, patient-centered care for cancer patients—and all patients—is mandatorily founded on understanding and articulating the best available evidence regarding treatment options.
Accordingly, as medical cannabis gains more widespread legal status and is increasingly considered and used by our patients, it will be of critical importance that contemporary fellowship training programs incorporate rigorous, up-to-date curricula on this subject so as to prepare their trainees to engage in well-informed discussions and shared decision-making with those for whom they care.”
“Innovative topical drug delivery systems, such as film forming systems, aim, among other objectives, to offer new application possibilities, enhance patient compliance, and provide prolonged therapeutic effects.
This study presents the development and comprehensive characterization of a novel chitosan-based film-forming system incorporating cannabidiol for antimicrobial topical treatment.
While chitosan and cannabidiol have been separately explored for their pharmaceutical properties, their combination within an in situ film-forming matrix remains largely unreported. Chitosan was chosen for its film-forming, mucoadhesive, and inherent antimicrobial properties. Ethanol-water ratios enabling optimal solubilization of chitosan were determined, and a suitable cannabidiol solubilizer was identified to ensure its homogeneous incorporation into the polymer matrix. The resulting films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, rheological analysis, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
In vitro studies demonstrated sustained cannabidiol release, favorable mechanical properties, and excellent antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi.
These results highlight the developed film-forming system as a novel and promising platform for the localized treatment of bacterial and fungal skin infections.”
“Wound healing in old mice is characterized by disturbed tissue homeostasis, manifested by delayed immune cell infiltration and reduced growth factor secretion, leading to a delayed onset and prolonged duration of the inflammatory phase.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important regulator of tissue homeostasis and cell migration and is also considered to be subject to aging processes, which may contribute to observable aging phenomena. Therefore, stimulating the aged ECS could represent a therapeutic option to support tissue regeneration in aging.
Female old mice received a low-dose of medical THC daily for 3 weeks, before four excisional full skin wounds were created. At day 1, 3 and 7 post-surgery, the wound closure rate was analyzed and wound samples were examined immunohistochemically for the numbers of granulocytes, M1-macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and regenerative growth factors were determined by ELISA.
Administration of THC improved the wound healing rate of old mice between day 1 and 7, which was associated with an altered timing and quantity of infiltrating immune cells and decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines in wound tissue on days 1 and 3 post-injury.
THC treatment significantly increased MSC infiltration but had no effect on the growth factor release.
The present study confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of THC in vivo.
The THC-treatment improved wound healing in old mice by coordinating the temporal sequence of immune cell infiltration and cytokine release. Thus, restoration of ECS signaling could be an effective strategy to support age-related skin regeneration.”
“Introduction: Among diverse chemical profile of Cannabis sativa L., over 100 phytocannabinoids have been identified. The major cannabinoids ΔΔ -9-THC and CBD are well-studied, with approved palliative and therapeutic applications such as appetite stimulation, antiemetic therapy, pain management and epilepsy treatment. However, ΔΔ -9-THC’s psychotropic effects limit its broader use. Minor cannabinoids exhibit therapeutic promise for a variety of conditions, potentially offering therapeutic potential without the adverse effects of ΔΔ -9-THC.
Methods: We explored 14 cannabinoids with an inverse molecular docking approach, docking each cannabinoid into >50000>50000 human protein structures from the ProBiS-Dock database. We validated our inverse molecular docking protocol using retrospective metrics (ROC AUC, BEDROC, RIE, enrichment factors, total gain). We apply the novel inverse molecular docking fingerprint method to better analyze the binding patterns of different cannabinoids and extend the methodology to include hierarchical clustering of fingerprints.
Results: Our analysis of the inverse molecular docking results identified high scoring targets with potential as novel protein targets for minor cannabinoids, the majority associated with cancer, while others have connections with neurological disorders and inflammation. We highlighted GTPase KRas and hematopoietic cell kinase (HCK) as very promising potential targets due to favorable docking scores with almost all investigated cannabinoids. We also find multiple matrix metalloproteinases among the top targets, suggesting possible novel therapeutic opportunities in rheumatic diseases. An analysis of inverse molecular docking fingerprints shows similar binding patterns for cannabinoids with similar structures, minor structural differences still suffice to change the affinity to specific targets. Hierarchical clustering of inverse molecular docking fingerprints revealed two main clusters in protein binding pattern similarity, the first encompassing THC-class and similar cannabinoids, as well as CBL-class cannabinoids, while the second contained CBD, CBC, and CBG-class cannabinoids. Notably, CBL-class cannabinoids exhibited binding patterns more similar to THC-class cannabinoids than their CBC-class precursors, possibly offering potential therapeutic benefits akin to THC with fewer psychotropic effects.
Discussion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids and identifies their potential novel protein targets. Moreover, we demonstrate the utility of inverse molecular docking fingerprinting with clustering to identify compounds with similar binding patterns as well as identify pharmacophore-related compounds in a structurally agnostic manner, paving the way for future drug discovery and development.”
“We firmly believe that this study provides a springboard paving the way for experimental validations in vitro and in vivo, hopefully leading to novel therapies with cannabinoids.”
“Shrimp aquaculture plays a crucial role in global food production but is increasingly threatened by viral and microsporidian pathogens such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) and Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV). Conventional reliance on antibiotics to combat these infections has raised serious concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance, environmental contamination and food safety. Additionally, environmental stressors such as salinity shifts and poor water quality exacerbate disease outbreaks, leading to severe production losses across Asia and Latin America.
To explore eco-friendly therapeutic alternatives, this study assessed the antiviral potential of cannabidiol (CBD), a bioactive compound extracted from Cannabis sativa seed oil, identified through GC-MS analysis.
Using molecular docking techniques, we evaluated CBD’s interactions with key viral proteins: VP28 of WSSV, the tubulin β-chain of EHP and the capsid protein of IHHNV. The docking results revealed strong binding affinities of -6.61 kcal/mol (EHP), -6.72 kcal/mol (IHHNV) and -5.38 kcal/mol (WSSV), indicating stable and potentially inhibitory interactions. Structural models were retrieved from RCSB PDB and SwissModel, while ligand preparation and docking were performed using AutoDock 4.2.
CBD also demonstrated favourable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, with predictions indicating no mutagenicity, hepatotoxicity or cardiotoxicity, and acceptable drug-likeness characteristics.
Compared to other plant-derived compounds previously tested in shrimp disease models, CBD exhibited superior binding stability, more interaction residues and better bioavailability scores.
These findings highlight CBD as a promising dual-function agent, capable of both modulating shrimp immunity and directly inhibiting key viral pathogens.
These findings highlight cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising dual-action compound, with the potential to both enhance shrimp immune responses and exert direct antiviral effects against key pathogens. This study lays a robust groundwork for future in vivo validations, formulation strategies and regulatory frameworks, ultimately supporting the development of sustainable, precision-based aquaculture health management.”
“Introduction: Effectiveness and tolerability of plant-derived highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated epilepsy in clinical practice in Germany were evaluated.
Methods: This multicenter, retrospective, chart review study analyzed patients with LGS, DS, or TSC-associated epilepsy receiving ≥ 1 dose of adjunctive CBD (Epidyolex® 100 mg/mL oral solution). Treatment characteristics, seizure outcomes, physician-rated Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), treatment retention rates, and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed ≤ 12 months.
Results: Among 202 patients identified (159 LGS; 34 DS; 9 TSC), median (interquartile range; range) age was 18.0 (7.9-32.0; 0.3-72.0) years, and median (range) number of prior and concomitant antiseizure medications was 6 (1-24) and 3 (1-7), respectively. Median target CBD dose was 11.1 mg/kg/day (17.6, 15.2, and 9.9 mg/kg/day in the < 6, 6-17, and ≥ 18 years subgroups, respectively). Responder rates (≥ 50% seizure reduction) for total seizures at 3 (n = 194) and 12 (n = 168) months were 43.3% (37.0-50.0% across ages) and 44.0% (37.0-52.5% across ages), respectively, and for generalized tonic-clonic seizures 54.3% (n = 94) (50.0-66.7% across ages) and 47.7% (n = 88) (37.8-66.7% across ages), respectively. Median (range) number of seizure days per month significantly decreased from 30 (0.3-30) to 18 (0-30) in the 3 months before the last 3 months of CBD treatment (p < 0.001). Any improvement in CGI-C was observed in 62% of patients. Of those with available data at 3 and 12 months, 89.6% and 67.1% remained on CBD, respectively. Retention was similar across age groups. AEs reported in ≥ 5% of patients were sedation and diarrhea.
Conclusions: In patients with LGS, DS, or TSC-associated epilepsy, adjunctive CBD was associated with a reduction in seizure frequency across age groups. CBD demonstrated tolerability consistent with its known profile, and 67% of patients remained on treatment at 12 months.”
“Introduction: On May 21, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a proposed rule to reschedule marijuana from schedule I to III under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), followed by a 60-day open comment period. The purpose of this study was to analyze the public attitudes regarding the proposed rule and identify trends based on time of comment submission and recurring arguments throughout the comments.
Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study. Comments from the proposal were stratified according to the submission date as early (May 21 to June 11), mid- (June 12 to July 2), and late (July 3-22) respondents. Investigators were assigned an equal number of comments to code as in favor of, against, or no clear position on rescheduling. Comments were further coded based on type of comment (form letters, personal anecdotes), rationale for comment (racism, decriminalization, safety, and economic factors), and whether descheduling was favored. Chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical data. A random sample of comments was selected to assure a 5% margin of error.
Results: More than 42,000 comments were submitted. Of these, 380 comments were selected and coded, with 42% (n = 158) in support of rescheduling, 55% (n = 211) against rescheduling, and 2.9% (n = 11) with no clear position. Of all comments coded, 71% wanted to go further and were in support of descheduling. The early responses consisted of a majority in favor of rescheduling, while the mid- and late responses consisted of more comments against rescheduling (X2 [2, N = 369] = 35.8, p < 0.00001). Of the comments against rescheduling, a large majority supported descheduling (X2 [2, N = 265] = 32.0, p < 0.0001). As for comment structure, 69% (n = 263) of all comments coded were form letters, while 8.4% (n = 32) were personal anecdotes.
Conclusion: The number of comments in support of rescheduling decreased with time, only dominating the early respondent wave. Despite a larger number of negative attitudes toward the DEA’s proposed rule of rescheduling marijuana from schedule I to III, a majority of comments supported taking a step further to deschedule marijuana all together.”
“The study’s findings suggest that future cannabis policy discussions may need to address not just rescheduling, but potentially more far-reaching reforms to align with evolving public sentiment. As the conversation around marijuana regulation continues, policymakers will need to carefully balance public health and safety concerns with growing calls for increased access and reduced criminalization.”
