“Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as the most widely synthesized metal nanoparticles in sustainable chemistry due to their unique magnetic properties, excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity.
In this study, IONPs are successfully synthesized via a rapid, sustainable, and environmentally friendly green synthesis approach using Cannabis sativa L. leaf extract. X-ray diffraction analysis determined that the synthesized NPs had an average particle size of 18.8 nm, while transmission electron microscopy images reveal a spherical morphology with sizes ranging from 12 to 21 nm.
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which are believed to play a crucial role in the formation and stabilization of IONPs. Its photocatalytic potential is demonstrated through the degradation of bromophenol blue dye.
Additionally, the NPs exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activity against various microbial species, along with promising anticancer effects on cancer cell lines.
In conclusion, this study provides a promising foundation for advancing the large-scale, commercial production of IONPs through green synthesis methods. By offering an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to conventional nanoparticle synthesis, the findings contribute significantly to the growing body of research in sustainable nanotechnology.”
“In this study, IONPs were successfully synthesized via a single-step green approach using C. sativa leaf extract as the sole reducing and stabilizing agent, eliminating the need for secondary chemicals. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of eco-friendly IONPs for biomedical and environmental applications, aligning with sustainable nanotechnology paradigms.”
“Inflammation is the organism’s protective mechanism to restore cellular and tissue homeostasis. Cannabidiol has been reported for its ability to bind to diverse receptors related to or not related to the endocannabinoid system, with good safety being one of the most promising phytocannabinoids for therapeutical purposes. CBD has shown in vitro and in vivo ability to significantly reduce the production of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, with an unclear mechanism of action.
Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a novel series of eight terpene N-acylaryl hydrazone analogues and their pharmacological evaluation for potential antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Our results led to the identification of compounds 5a (PQM-242), with significant peripheral and central antinociceptive effects, 5b (PQM-243), and 5g (PQM-248) with antinociceptive activities probably related to the ability of modulation of TRPV1 receptors, and 5c (PQM-244) that seems to have the most promising peripheral antinociceptive profile, showing significant effects on both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin-induced licking test, coupled to potential antioxidant activity.
Overall, our experimental data suggest that the new CBD-based architecture is capable of ensuring peripheral and central antinociceptive effects by different modes of action, with no in vivo toxicity and adequate predicted ADME properties.”
“There is an urgent need for alternative antimicrobial therapies in veterinary small animal dermatology due to the limited therapeutic options available for treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
This study aimed to evaluate the potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil for topical treatment of localized infections of the skin, such as otitis externa.
Antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution using a strain collection of bacterial pathogens associated with skin infections, including Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (n=120), Staphylococcus aureus (n=48), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=26). Checkerboard dilution tests were used to assess the interaction of hemp seed oil with two antimicrobials used for management of otitis externa, gentamicin and enrofloxacin, while in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by the cellular 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay on mouse fibroblast cell line L929. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in staphylococci (0.025-0.2% v/v) were markedly lower than in P. aeruginosa (>0.4% v/v). Within S. pseudintermedius, methicillin-resistant strains displayed lower susceptibility compared to susceptible strains.
Hemp seed oil showed synergy with gentamicin (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index < 0.5), reducing the MIC of gentamicin-resistant S. pseudintermedius strains (≥16µg/ml) below the clinical susceptibility breakpoint (≤4µg/ml). No changes in cell viability were observed at concentrations below 2% v/v.
These findings suggest that hemp seed oil could be an effective and safe alternative or adjuvant to conventional antimicrobials for managing otitis externa and other skin focal infections caused by staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant strains.”
“The findings suggest that hemp seed oil could serve as an effective and safe alternative or adjunct to conventional antimicrobial treatments for localized skin infections, including otitis externa caused by staphylococci, even those resistant to methicillin;”
“Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a versatile crop that can be processed to obtain different products with multiple applications. Its seeds are a well-documented ancient source of proteins, fibers and fats, all of which possess high nutritional value. Additionally, metabolites such as flavones and phenols are present in the seeds, contributing to their antioxidant properties.
Due to hemp seeds’ distinctive nutritional profile, the interest in exploring the potential use in food and nutraceuticals is growing, and they can be considered an interesting and promising alternative resource for human and animal feeding. Omics studies on hemp seeds and their by-products are also being developed, and they contribute to improving our knowledge about the genome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome/lipidome, and ionome of these sustainable food resources.
This review illustrates the main nutrients and bioactive compounds of hemp seeds and explores the most relevant omics techniques and investigations related to them. It also addresses the various products derived from processing the whole seed, such as oil, dehulled seeds, hulls, flour, cakes, meals, and proteins. Moreover, this work discusses research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying their protein, lipid, fiber, and metabolic profile. The advantages of using omics and multi-omics approaches to highlight the nutritional values of hemp seed by-products are also discussed.
In our opinion, this work represents an excellent starting point for researchers interested in studying hemp seeds as source of nutrients and bioactive compounds from a multi-level molecular perspective.”
“By advancing the understanding and utilization of hemp seeds and their by-products in food, feed, and medical applications, we hope to contribute to positioning hemp as a sustainable and valuable resource for the future.”
“The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is known to regulate crucial bodily functions, including healthy muscle activity. However, its precise roles in normal skeletal muscle function and the development of muscle disorders remain unclear. Previously, we developed a tamoxifen-inducible, skeletal muscle-specific CB1 receptor knockdown (skmCB1-KD) mouse model using the Cre/LoxP system.
In this study, we aimed to clarify the mechanisms behind the observed reduction in muscle force generation in these mice. To investigate this, we analyzed calcium dynamics following electrical stimulation-induced muscle fatigue, assessed store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), and performed functional analysis of mitochondrial respiration.
Our findings suggest that the reduced muscle performance observed in vivo likely arises from interconnected alterations in ATP production by mitochondria. Moreover, in skmCB1-KD mice, we detected a significant decrease in a component of the respiratory chain (complex IV) and a slowed dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential upon the addition of an un-coupler (FCCP).”
“To develop effective therapies for conditions with defective endocannabinoid system (ECS) activity, it is essential to understand the skeletal ECS’s function in health and disease. Here, we present a detailed functional and molecular characterization of a transgenic mouse model with skeletal muscle-specific Cnr1 genetic ablation.
Our in vivo results demonstrate that CB1R knockdown impairs motor coordination and grip strength in mice. Furthermore, at the cellular level, we observed modestly altered calcium homeostasis and significantly decreased mitochondrial function (decreased complex IV activity). Therefore, we propose that the ECS (particularly CB1R) plays a key role in physiological muscle force generation and in maintaining cellular and mitochondrial homeostasis and function.”
“Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human adipose tissue (hASCs) are a promising tool for tissue repair due to their ability to differentiate into specific cell lineages. The possibility of modulating the adipogenic differentiation of hASCs is crucial in improving their therapeutic potential.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L., on hASCs. Few studies have evaluated its role in stem cell (SC) properties and their differentiation potential.
hASCs were first treated with different concentrations of CBD (ranging from 0.1 to 10 μM) to assess its effects on viability, demonstrating that this molecule is non-toxic, except at the concentration of 10 μM. Subsequently, the role of CBD in the proliferation, metabolism and adipogenic potential of hASCs was analyzed.
CBD promoted adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, even in the absence of differentiation medium. This result was evidenced by the presence of lipid vacuoles, the expression of adipogenic markers, cytoskeletal actin rearrangement and modulation in the expression of osteogenic genes.
Although the results indicated a role of CBD in promoting hASC adipogenesis, further research will be needed to explore the mechanism of action of CBD in SC differentiation and to deepen its utility in SC-based approaches.”
“Therefore, as the field of regenerative medicine continues to evolve, the integration of CBD’s properties into therapeutic strategies could hold significant promise in terms of enhancing tissue repair and recovery, offering novel strategies for optimizing healing outcomes and improving patient well-being.”
“Fungal infections pose a major threat to human health with increasing incidence of antifungal resistance globally. Despite the need for novel antifungal drugs, few are currently in clinical development.
Here we evaluate the antifungal activity of five phytocannabinoids against several clinically relevant fungal pathogens, with a focus on the priority pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
Our results demonstrate that Cannabidiol (CBD), and particularly Cannabidivarin (CBDV), have broad activity against C. neoformans and other fungal pathogens, including dermatophytes that cause common tinea. We found that both CBD and CBDV acted in a fungicidal manner and prevented biofilm formation in C. neoformans.
Phytocannabinoid treatment impeded factors important for virulence and antifungal resistance, including reduced capsule size and disruption of mature biofilms. Proteomics analysis revealed that the antifungal activity of CBD and CBDV was linked to destabilisation of the membrane, alterations in ergosterol biosynthesis, disruption of metabolic pathways, as well as selective involvement of mitochondrial-associated proteins. We next tested the ability of CBD to topically clear a C. neoformans fungal infection in vivo using the Galleria mellonella burn wound model, and we observed greatly improved survival in the CBD treated larvae.
This study illustrates the potential of phytocannabinoids as antifungal treatments and opens up new routes towards development of novel antifungal drugs.”
“Fungal infections are a major public health issue affecting over a billion people globally. Current antifungal treatments are increasingly compromised by drug resistance and show adverse side effects, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapies.
Phytocannabinoids like Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabidivarin (CBDV), which have established safety profiles and are approved or under investigation for neurological conditions, may hold promise in this domain. Despite this, their antifungal properties remain underexplored.
Here we show that CBD and CBDV exhibit in vitro antifungal activity against various fungi, including common dermatophytes causing “jock itch” and “athlete’s foot”, as well as WHO Critical Priority pathogens, such as Cryptococcus neoformans. Further investigation in C. neoformans revealed that CBD and CBDV appear to work by disrupting biofilms, altering fungal cell morphology, and impacting metabolic pathways and membrane integrity, as observed through comparative proteomics. Further, in vivo experiments using Galleria mellonella infected with C. neoformans revealed significantly improved survival with CBD treatment.
The in vitro and in vivo antifungal efficacy of CBD and CBDV established in this study highlights the potential of phytocannabinoids to address the pressing need for effective and new treatments for fungal infections.”
“Overall, this study highlights promising antifungal properties of the phytocannabinoids CBD and CBDV against select fungal pathogens. We demonstrated not only their fungicidal activity against C. neoformans, but also their potential effectiveness against wider Cryptococcus strains, various other yeasts, and moulds including common dermatophytes, emphasizing their potential broader applicability in the clinic and the community.
We demonstrated that the phytocannabinoids appear to work via disrupting biofilms and altering cell morphology, while clear impacts on metabolism and membrane production could be observed with comparative proteomics. We finally showed that for the commonly available CBD, in vivo survival of G. mellonella was significantly boosted after C. neoformans infection, emphasizing the clear potential of CBD as an antifungal.
Taken together, the demonstrated efficacy of CBD and CBDV as broad antifungal agents, coupled with their established safety profile, makes them an exciting resource as a foundation for the development of future therapeutic interventions.”
“This study examined the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory potential of hemp protein hydrolysates, prepared using various proteases.
The hydrolysate derived from neutral protease showed the strongest XO inhibition (IC50 = 0.99 ± 0.31 mg/mL) and significantly reduced serum uric acid, creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels in hyperuricemia mice while enhancing renal histopathology.
LC-MS/MS identified three novel XO-inhibitory peptides (AMRAMPDDVLAN, NNYNLPIL, KTNDNAWVSPLAG) with IC50 values ranging from 1.34 to 2.81 mM. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed the binding mechanisms through interactions with key catalytic residues, such as Ser876, and the obstruction of the hydrophobic channel.
These findings emphasize the hydrolysate and its bioactive peptides as promising candidates for controlling hyperuricemia.”
“Introduction: Cannabis sativa has been cultivated for over 11,700 years, originating in Central and Southeast Asia, and has been used for medical, recreational, and religious purposes. Among its therapeutic potentials, it is notable for its capacity to alleviate pain, nausea, anxiety, and more. The plant’s primary secondary metabolites are cannabinoids, which interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce these effects. However, due to the dosage variability and the secondary effects associated with a lack of targeted action, their medical use is limited, creating the need for effective delivery systems.
Methodology: This systematic patent review on cannabis drug delivery systems was conducted using patents retrieved from the Espacenet database. The search employed the keywords “Cannabis” and “Delivery,” along with the IPC classification code A61, to filter patents filed between 2012 and 2024. This initial search yielded 99 patents, which were further screened to identify 15 patents that met the inclusion criteria.
Results: Of the selected patents, most originated from the United States, followed by Canada, international patents (WIPO), and China. A notable increase in patent filings occurred in 2022, coinciding with the peak in scientific publications on the topic. This trend indicates a growing interest in the design of cannabis delivery systems.
Discussion: The historical importance and therapeutic potential of Cannabis sativa are welldocumented, yet modern medical use remains restricted due to pharmacokinetic limitations. Delivery systems such as extracellular vesicles, microneedles, and emulsions have been developed to improve the bioavailability and stability of cannabinoids. Extracellular vesicles facilitate targeted, noninvasive delivery of cannabinoids to the central nervous system. Microneedles offer a painless method for transdermal administration, overcoming skin barrier limitations. Emulsions improve the solubility and bioavailability of lipophilic cannabinoids, making them suitable for various administration routes.
Conclusion: Since 2012, there has been considerable growth in patents and publications related to cannabis drug delivery systems, driven by the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. Innovations in delivery systems like emulsions, microneedles, and extracellular vesicles aim to improve the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of cannabis-derived compounds, representing a shift towards medical cannabis applications.”
“The main objective of the present study was to determine the protolytic and coordination properties of two bioactive cannabinoid acids (cannabidiolic acid and cannabigerolic acid) in ethyl alcohol-water mixture (50/50, v/v).
The complexation properties of these acids with copper(II) and zinc(II) ions were determined by potentiometric and ESI-MS methods. UV-Vis absorption spectra for the copper(II) systems confirmed the speciation models with one type of complex indicating coordination with completely deprotonated dinegative ligand molecule. The occurrence of precipitation at lower pH values limited the ability to determine complexes under these conditions.
The research also aimed to identify potential biological and medicinal applications of cannabinoid acids and their complexes with zinc(II). The ability of these compounds to influence the growth of human Hs68 skin fibroblasts and AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells was investigated. Furthermore, these structures were tested against Helicobacter pylori strains, one of the factors promoting gastric cancer development.
At concentrations that were not-toxic to healthy cells (after dilution of the solutions, the composition of the ethanol/water mixture was approximately 1/99, v/v), the ligands exhibited bacterial inhibitory activity and cytotoxic properties against AGS cancer cells. Zinc(II) complexes, on the other hand, being biologically safe for all cells, had strong antibacterial properties, both inhibitory and bactericidal.”
“Naturally occurring compounds known as plant cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids, responsible for the physiological effects of cannabis, have been used medicinally for thousands of years.”
