Tag Archives: THC

Modulation of breast cancer cell viability by a cannabinoid receptor 2 agonist, JWH-015, is calcium dependent

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“Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 34–50 worldwide, and is the most commonly diagnosed metastasizing tumor in women of all ages. Despite advances in understanding breast cancer as a disease, there remains a critical need for novel disease-modifying therapeutics.

Nonspecific cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2)-selective, as well as cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1)-selective compounds have yielded similar antitumor results in several tumor models. The lack of neuronal expression of CB2 receptors precludes CB2 selective compounds from inducing the psychotropic effects that typically accompany CB1 activation.

 Our group and others have shown that CB2 agonists displaying selectivity for the CB2 receptor can decrease tumor cell viability and significantly attenuate cancer-induced bone pain without displaying psychoactive or addictive properties.

…antitumor effects of cannabinoids have been demonstrated in a variety of tumor models…

The antiproliferative effects of a CB2 agonist along with our previous work demonstrating significant efficacy in inhibiting bone cancer pain and slowing bone loss in a murine model of advanced breast cancer strongly suggest that CB2 agonists should be investigated in humans as adjunct therapy for advanced stages of breast cancer.

 Cannabinoid compounds, both nonspecific as well as agonists selective for either cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) or cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), have been shown to modulate the tumor microenvironment by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells in several model systems.
The results of this work characterize the actions of a CB2-selective agonist on breast cancer cells in a syngeneic murine model representing how a clinical presentation of cancer progression and metastasis may be significantly modulated by a G-protein-coupled receptor.
Several groups have shown that both nonselective cannabinoid and CB2-specific compounds decrease breast cancer viability in vitro and in vivo: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and CB2-selective agonist, JWH-133, have been demonstrated to exert considerable antitumoral effects…”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4847606/

Interactions between cannabinoid receptor agonists and mu opioid receptor agonists in rhesus monkeys discriminating fentanyl.

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“Cannabinoid receptor agonists such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) enhance some (antinociceptive) but not other (positive reinforcing) effects of mu opioid receptor agonists, suggesting that cannabinoids might be combined with opioids to treat pain without increasing, and possibly decreasing, abuse.

These data indicate that the discriminative stimulus effects of nalbuphine are more sensitive to attenuation by cannabinoids than those of fentanyl. That the discriminative stimulus effects of some opioids are more susceptible to modification by drugs from other classes has implications for developing maximally effective therapeutic drug mixtures with reduced abuse liability.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27184925

Characterization and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of industrial hemp varieties (Cannabis sativa L.).

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“The present study focused on inhibitory activity of freshly extracted essential oils from three legal (THC<0.2% w/v) hemp varieties (Carmagnola, Fibranova and Futura) on microbial growth.

The effect of different sowing times on oil composition and biological activity was also evaluated. Essential oils were distilled and then characterized through the gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thereafter, the oils were compared to standard reagents on a broad range inhibition of microbial growth via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. Microbial strains were divided into three groups: i) Gram (+) bacteria, which regard to food-borne pathogens or gastrointestinal bacteria, ii) Gram (-) bacteria and iii) yeasts, both being involved in plant interactions.

The results showed that essential oils of industrial hemp can significantly inhibit the microbial growth, to an extent depending on variety and sowing time.

It can be concluded that essential oils of industrial hemp, especially those of Futura, may have interesting applications to control spoilage and food-borne pathogens and phytopathogens microorganisms.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19969046

Efficacy and safety of cannabinoid oromucosal spray for multiple sclerosis spasticity.

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“The approval of 9-δ-tetrahydocannabinol and cannabidiol (THC:CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex) for the management of treatment-resistant multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity opened a new opportunity for many patients.

The aim of our study was to describe Sativex effectiveness and adverse events profile in a large population of Italian patients with MS in the daily practice setting.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sativex can be a useful and safe option for patients with MS with moderate to severe spasticity resistant to common antispastic drugs.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27160523

A double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled, pilot trial with Sativex in Huntington’s disease.

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“Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease for which there is no curative treatment available. Given that the endocannabinoid system is involved in the pathogenesis of HD mouse models, stimulation of specific targets within this signaling system has been investigated as a promising therapeutic agent in HD.

We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot clinical trial with Sativex®, a botanical extract with an equimolecular combination of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Both Sativex® and placebo were dispensed as an oral spray, to be administered up to 12 sprays/day for 12 weeks.

The primary objective was safety, assessed by the absence of more severe adverse events (SAE) and no greater deterioration of motor, cognitive, behavioral and functional scales during the phase of active treatment. Secondary objectives were clinical improvement of Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale scores.

Twenty-six patients were randomized and 24 completed the trial. After ruling-out period and sequence effects, safety and tolerability were confirmed. No differences on motor (p = 0.286), cognitive (p = 0.824), behavioral (p = 1.0) and functional (p = 0.581) scores were detected during treatment with Sativex® as compared to placebo. No significant molecular effects were detected on the biomarker analysis.

Sativex® is safe and well tolerated in patients with HD, with no SAE or clinical worsening.

No significant symptomatic effects were detected at the prescribed dosage and for a 12-week period. Also, no significant molecular changes were observed on the biomarkers.

Future study designs should consider higher doses, longer treatment periods and/or alternative cannabinoid combinations. Clincaltrals.gov identifier: NCT01502046.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27159993

Cannabinoid receptor genes.

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“Cannabinoids are the constituents of the marijuana plant (cannabis sativa) of which the major active ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC). Rapid progress has been achieved in marijuana research in the last five years than in the thousands of years that marijuana has been used in human history.

For many decades therefore, research on the molecular and neurobiological bases of the physiological and neurobehavioral effects of marijuana was hampered by the lack of specific research tools and technology. The situation has started to change with the availability of molecular probes and other recombinant molecules that have led to major advances.

Recent advances include the cloning of the cDNA sequences encoding the rat, human and the mouse peripheral and CNS cannabinoid receptors. In addition a putative ligand, anandamide, thought to represent the endogenous cannabis-like substance that binds the cannabinoid receptors, has been isolated from the brain.

This achievement has opened a whole new neurochemical system particularly as the physiological and pharmacological properties of anandamide indicate a possible neuromodulatory or neurotransmitter role.

The recent demonstration of a potent and selective antagonist for CBl receptors may become an important and powerful investigative tool. Future progress on the neurobiology of cannabinoid research may include data on the use of antisense strategies and gene targeting approach to further understand the mechanism(s) of action of cannabinoids which has been slow to emerge.

We conclude that these are exciting times for cannabis research which has given us anandamide–a substance of inner bliss.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8804112

[Study on the extraction process for cannabinoids in hemp seed oil by orthogonal design].

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“OBJECTIVE: To select the optimum extracting procedure for cannabinoids from hemp seed oil.

METHODS: The optimum extracting procedure was selected with the content of cannabinol and delta9-tetrehydrocannabinol from hemp seed oil by orthogonal test design. We have examined three factors that may influence the extraction rate: the time of extraction, the times of extraction and the amount of methanol.

RESULTS: The optimum extraction condition was adding 5 ml, two times amount of methanol into hemp seed oil for 15 min.

CONCLUSION: The above extraction process gave the most rational, stable, feasible and satisfactory results. The method is convenient.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16131037

Study: Cannabinoids Limit Neuroblastoma Cell Proliferation

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Study: Cannabinoids Limit Neuroblastoma Cell Proliferation

“The administration of the cannabinoids THC and CBD limit cancer activity in neuroblastoma cells in culture and in animals, according to preclinical data published in the journal Current Oncology.

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive form of childhood cancer that often goes inadequately addressed by conventional treatment.

Investigators reported that both types of cannabinoids reduced neuroblastoma cell viability, but that CBD demonstrated superior anti-cancer ability. The study is the first to document the anti-cancer properties of CBD in this particular cancerous cell line.

They concluded, “Our findings about the activity of CBD in nbl (neuroblastoma) support and extend previous findings about the anti-tumor activities of CBD in other tumors and suggest that cannabis extracts enriched in CBD and not in THC could be suitable for the development of novel non-psychotropic therapeutic strategies in nbl.”  http://enewspf.com/2016/04/21/study-cannabinoids-limit-neuroblastoma-cell-proliferation/

“In vitro and in vivo efficacy of non-psychoactive cannabidiol in neuroblastoma”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791143/?report=reader

New review sheds light on cannabinoids anticancer mechanisms

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cannabinoids, cancer

“The palliative effects of cannabinoids on cancer-related symptoms are well established.

In fact, many drugs comprised of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or its synthetic analogues are currently approved in Canada for use in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, pain relief, and appetite stimulation.

While this may provide adequate treatment to the symptoms endured by cancer patients, what if cannabis can all together treat and cure cancer?

Latest discoveries on cannabinoids and their anticancer properties focus on their molecular mechanisms of action and have been discussed in a recently published review article in Current Oncology, a peer-reviewed journal (Velasco, Sanchez, & Guzman, 2016).

It is important to begin by understanding that our body possesses an endogenous cannabinoid system.”

https://news.liftcannabis.ca/2016/04/21/new-review-sheds-light-cannabinoids-anticancer-mechanisms/

“Anticancer mechanisms of cannabinoids”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791144/

A Multiple-Dose, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group QT/QTc Study to Evaluate the Electrophysiologic Effects of THC/CBD Spray.

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“Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray has proved efficacious in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.

A thorough QT/QTc study was performed to investigate the effects of THC/CBD spray on electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters in compliance with regulatory requirements, evaluating the effect of a recommended daily dose (8 sprays/day) and supratherapeutic doses (24 or 36 sprays/day) of THC/CBD spray on the QT/QTc interval in 258 healthy volunteers.

The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of THC/CBD spray were also evaluated. Therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses of THC/CBD spray had no effect on cardiac repolarization with primary and secondary endpoints of QTcI and QTcF/QTcB, respectively, showing similar results. There was no indication of any effect on heart rate, atrioventricular conduction, or cardiac depolarization and no new clinically relevant morphological changes were observed.

Overall, 19 subjects (25.0%) in the supratherapeutic (24/36 daily sprays of THC/CBD spray) dose group and one (1.6%) in the moxifloxacin group withdrew early due to intolerable AEs. Four psychiatric serious adverse events (AEs) in the highest dose group resulted in a reduction in the surpatherapeutic dose to 24 sprays/day.

In conclusion, THC/CBD spray does not significantly affect ECG parameters. Additionally, THC/CBD spray is well tolerated at therapeutic doses with an AE profile similar to previous clinical studies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27121791