Graphene quantum dots based on cannabis seeds for efficient wound healing in a mouse incisional wound model: Link with stress and neurobehavioral effect

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“Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are promising biomaterials with potential applicability in several areas due to their many useful and unique features. Among different applications, GQDs are photodynamic therapy agents that generate single oxygen and improve antimicrobial activity. In the present study, and for the first time, GQD were isolated from the Cannabis sativa L. seeds to generate C-GQD as a new biomaterial for antibacterial and wound healing applications. Detailed characterization was performed using FTIR, UV-vis, Raman spectra, photoluminescence, TEM examination, HRTEM, ζ-potential, and XRD. Our results revealed in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of C-GQDs against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) with reduced minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 236µg/mL for both strains. In addition, the C-GQDs confirmed the in vitro analysis and exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the level of neutrophils in blood and skin tissue. C-GQDs act by accelerating re-epithelization and granulation tissue formation. In addition, C-GQDs restored neurobehavioral alteration induced by incisional wounds by reducing oxidative stress, decreasing cortisol levels, increasing anxiolytic-like effect, and increasing vertical locomotor activity. The wound-healing effects of C-GQDs support its role as a potential therapeutic agent for diverse skin injuries.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38042382/

“In the present work, Cannabis sativa L. seeds GQDs (termed here as C-GQDs) were generated through a novel eco-friendly approach using cannabis seeds as precursor and without the addition of strong oxidants, thus avoiding the production of toxic gases.

Cannabis seeds offer an opportunity in regard to versatility, cost, and availability. They are a rich source of fiber and have significant medicinal value. They contain antibacterial cannabinoids with the potential to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They also possess analgesics and anti-inflammatory effects that can be used in various biomedical applications.

More importantly, we found that C-GQDs accelerate the healing process by killing S. aureus and E. coli implicated in skin wound infection.

The C-GQDs, via their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anxiolytic-like effects showed an accelerative potential of wound closure in mice models of incisional wounds.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378517323010803?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol represses miR-143 to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration after myocardial infarction

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“Mammalian heart is capable to regenerate almost completely early after birth through endogenous cardiomyocyte proliferation. However, this regenerative capacity diminishes gradually with growth and is nearly lost in adulthood. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major component of cannabis and has various biological activities to regulate oxidative stress, fibrosis, inflammation, and cell death. The present study was conducted to investigate the pharmacological effects of CBD on heart regeneration in post-MI mice. MI models in adult mice were constructed via coronary artery ligation, which were administrated with or without CBD. Our results demonstrate that systemic administration (10 mg/kg) of CBD markedly increased cardiac regenerative ability, reduced infarct size, and restored cardiac function in MI mice. Consistently, in vitro study also showed that CBD was able to promote the proliferation of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, the expression of miR-143-3p related to cardiomyocyte proliferation was significantly down-regulated in CBD-treated cardiomyocytes, while the overexpression of miR-143-3p inhibited cardiomyocyte mitosis and eliminated CBD-induced cardiomyocyte proliferation. Moreover, CBD enhanced the expression of Yap and Ctnnd1, which were demonstrated as the target genes of miR-143-3p. Silencing of Yap and Ctnnd1 hindered the proliferative effects of CBD. We further revealed that inhibition of the cannabinoid receptor 2 impeded the regulatory effect of CBD on miR-143-3p and its downstream target Yap/Ctnnd1, which ultimately eliminated the pro-proliferative effect of CBD on neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes. Taken together, CBD promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration after MI via miR-143-3p/Yap/Ctnnd1 signaling pathway, which provides a new strategy for cardiac repair in adult myocardium.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38052413/

“Cannabidiol (CBD)-an abundant component of cannabis with no psychoactive or cognitive effect has been shown to have extensive therapeutic properties including neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and analgesic effects. In addition, multiple lines of evidence indicated that CBD is a potent protective agent against cardiovascular disease.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299923007598?via%3Dihub

Antinociceptive action of cannabidiol on thermal sensitivity and post-operative pain in male and female rats

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“This study investigated the antinociceptive potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in male and female Wistar rats. The assessment and analysis included tail withdrawal to thermal stimulation (tail flick test) and mechanical allodynia induced by plantar incision injury (von Frey test). CBD reduced acute thermal sensitivity in uninjured animals and post-operative mechanical allodynia in males and females. In the tail flick test, CBD 30mg/kg i.p. was required to induce antinociception in males. During the proestrus phase, females did not show a statistically significant antinociceptive response to CBD treatment despite a noticeable trend. In contrast, in a separate group of rats tested during the late diestrus phase, antinociception varied with CBD dosage and time. In the post-operative pain model, CBD at 3mg/kg decreased mechanical allodynia in males. Similarly, this dose reduced allodynia in females during proestrus. However, in females during late diestrus, the lower dose of CBD (0.3mg/kg) reduced mechanical allodynia, although the latency to onset of the effect was slower (90minutes). The effectiveness of a 10-fold lower dose of CBD during the late diestrus stage in females suggests that ovarian hormones can influence the action of CBD. While CBD has potential for alleviating pain in humans, personalized dosing regimens may need to be developed to treat pain in women.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38048909/

“•CBD produces antinociception in male and female rats.

•CBD was effective against acute thermal and post-operative pain in both sexes.

•Females in late diestrus were sensitive to a 10-fold lower dose of CBD than in proestrus.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432823005119?via%3Dihub