Category Archives: Uncategorized

Chitosan-based films with cannabis oil as a base material for wound dressing application

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“This study focuses on obtaining and characterizing novel chitosan-based biomaterials containing cannabis oil to potentially promote wound healing.

The primary active substance in cannabis oil is the non-psychoactive cannabidiol, which has many beneficial properties.

In this study, three chitosan-based films containing different concentrations of cannabis oil were prepared. As the amount of oil increased, the obtained biomaterials became rougher as tested by atomic force microscopy. Such rough surfaces promote protein adsorption, confirmed by experiments assessing the interaction between human albumin with the obtained materials. Increased oil concentration also improved the films’ mechanical parameters, swelling capacity, and hydrophilic properties, which were checked by the wetting angle measurement. On the other hand, higher oil content resulted in decreased water vapour permeability, which is essential in wound dressing. Furthermore, the prepared films were subjected to an acute toxicity test using a Microtox.

Significantly, the film’s increased cannabis oil content enhanced the antimicrobial effect against A. fischeri for films in direct contact with bacteria. More importantly, cell culture studies revealed that the obtained materials are biocompatible and, therefore, they might be potential candidates for application in wound dressing materials.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36333591/

“In this study, novel chitosan-based biomaterials containing cannabidiol were obtained, with cannabis oil being used as a source of cannabidiol.”

“The results suggest that the cannabidiol-containing chitosan-based films (CBD-CS) possess the most prerequisites for a good dressing for wound healing applications.”

“Therefore, chitosan-based films incorporating cannabis oil might be an excellent candidate for wound treatment and dressing.”

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-23506-0

CBD-rich oil nanoemulsion mitigates long-term testicular and endocrine toxicity induced by prenatal valproic acid exposure in rats

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“Valproic acid is a widely used antiepileptic drug and a recognized model of developmental reproductive toxicity, as exposure during critical periods of testicular development can lead to persistent endocrine and reproductive dysfunction in adulthood.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has therapeutic potential in several pathological conditions but exhibits low oral bioavailability due to its lipophilic nature.

This study evaluated whether chronic treatment with a CBD-rich corn oil nanoemulsion could attenuate long-term testicular and endocrine alterations induced by prenatal valproic acid exposure in rats.

CBD-rich nanoemulsions were prepared and physicochemically characterized. On gestational day 12.5, pregnant rats received a single intraperitoneal dose of valproic acid (500mg/kg). In adulthood, male offspring from valproic acid-exposed dams were treated orally with CBD nanoemulsions at doses of 1 or 2mg/animal, administered twice daily. After euthanasia, testes were collected for morphometric, biochemical, and hormonal analyses.

Prenatal exposure to valproic acid induced persistent testicular alterations, including reduced Leydig cell number, decreased serum testosterone levels, reduced seminiferous epithelium height, and increased seminiferous tubule diameter. Increased activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase suggested an adaptive antioxidant response. These findings are consistent with long-term testicular and endocrine dysfunction following developmental exposure to an endocrine-disrupting drug.

Importantly, treatment with the CBD-rich nanoemulsion reversed the morphometric, hormonal, and oxidative alterations induced by valproic acid.

Overall, these results indicate that nanoformulated CBD may mitigate long-term reproductive toxicity induced by prenatal valproic acid exposure, highlighting the importance of drug formulation in determining the biological effects of cannabinoids on the male reproductive system.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42342051

“In conclusion, our findings provide preclinical evidence that chronic treatment with a CBD-rich corn oil nanoemulsion attenuates several reproductive effects induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid in male rats.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890623826001401?via%3Dihub

Development and clinical evaluation of a nanoemulsion for buccal delivery of cannabis extract in refractory chronic pain

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“Cannabinoid-based therapies have gained increasing attention for the management of chronic and treatment-resistant pain, although their clinical application is limited by the poor aqueous solubility and variable bioavailability of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

In this study, we developed and characterized a nanoemulsion (THC-NE) for buccal administration of a Cannabis sativa L. extract (Bedrocan®), with the aim of improving solubility, stability and bioavailability.

The optimized formulation, composed of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, showed a narrow droplet size distribution (DH ≈ 73 nm, PDI ≈ 0.2), a THC content consistent with the theoretical value (3.53 ± 0.56 mg/mL), and good physicochemical stability at 4°C for at least 90 days. The formulation maintained its properties upon extensive dilution in simulated buccal fluids and after spray nebulization, supporting its suitability for oromucosal delivery. In vitro release studies confirmed sustained THC release from THC-NE, whereas negligible release was observed from the oil extract, highlighting the role of nanoformulation in enhancing solubilization and controlled release.

An observational study was conducted in 18 patients with chronic pain unresponsive to standard treatments. After a median follow-up of 189 days, mean pain scores (NRS) decreased significantly from 8.6 ± 0.9 to 5.4 ± 2.8 (p < 0.001), with 83% of patients achieving a ≥ 20% reduction. Among responders, the mean NRS decreased by 45% and treatment persistence was found to be high, with 64% of patients still remaining under therapy after six months. A total of 17 adverse events were reported in 11 patients, most of which were mild to moderate and transient. Additionally, treatment interruption occurred in three patients due to adverse events, in other three owing to limited efficacy and in two for logistical reasons.

Overall, these findings indicate that buccal administration of THC-NE represents a promising patient-friendly approach for cannabis-based therapy, offering improved solubility, controlled release and meaningful clinical benefit in patients with refractory chronic pain.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42336000

“Among the bioactive compounds found in Cannabis sativa, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been identified as the primary psychoactive component, exhibiting significant analgesic, antispastic, and neuroprotective properties. “

“This study demonstrates that NE technology can be successfully applied to develop a stable and efficient buccal formulation of Cannabis sativa extract. The optimized THC-NE proved to be physicochemically stable, robust under dilution, and suitable for administration via standard spray devices, while ensuring enhanced release of THC compared to the oily extract.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939641126001839?via%3Dihub

Endocannabinoid System and Its Regulation by Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Full Spectrum Hemp Oils

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“The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of endogenous cannabinoids, their receptors, and metabolic enzymes that play a critical homeostatic role in modulating polyunsaturated omega fatty acid (PUFA) signaling to maintain a balanced inflammatory and redox state.

Whole food-based diets and dietary interventions linked to PUFAs of animal (fish, calamari, krill) or plant (hemp, flax, walnut, algae) origin, as well as full-spectrum hemp oils, are increasingly used to support the ECS tone, promote healthy metabolism, improve risk factors associated with cardiovascular disorders, encourage brain health and emotional well-being, and ameliorate inflammation.

While hemp cannabinoids of THC and CBD groups show distinct but complementary actions through a variety of cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2), adenosine (A2A), and vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors, they also modulate PUFA metabolism within a wide variety of specialized lipid mediators that promote or resolve inflammation and oxidative stress.

Clinical evidence reviewed in this study links PUFAs and cannabinoids to changes in ECS tone, immune function, metabolic and oxidative stress adaptation, and overall maintenance of a well-balanced systemic function of the body. Understanding how the body coordinates signals from the exogenous and endogenous ECS modulators is critical for discerning the underlying molecular mechanisms of the ECS tone in healthy and disease states.

Nutritional and lifestyle interventions represent promising approaches to address chronic metabolic and inflammatory disorders that may overlap in the population at risk. Further investigation and validation of dietary interventions that modulate the ECS are required in order to devise clinically successful second-generation management strategies.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34067450

“Hemp oils derived from the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) are a rich source of lipid bioactive compounds, including cannabinoids, β-caryophyllene, and polyunsaturated fatty acids that potentially interact with the ECS.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/11/5479

Harnessing the advances of genetic engineering in microalgae for the production of cannabinoids

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“Cannabis is widely recognized as a medicinal plant owing to bioactive cannabinoids. However, it is still considered a narcotic plant, making it hard to be accessed.

Since the biosynthetic pathway of cannabinoids is disclosed, biotechnological methods can be employed to produce cannabinoids in heterologous systems. This would pave the way toward biosynthesizing any cannabinoid compound of interest, especially minor substances that are less produced by a plant but have a high medicinal value.

In this context, microalgae have attracted increasing scientific interest given their unique potential for biopharmaceutical production. In the present review, the current knowledge on cannabinoid production in different hosts is summarized and the biotechnological potential of microalgae as an emerging platform for synthetic production is put in perspective. A critical survey of genetic requirements and various transformation approaches are also discussed.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35762029

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07388551.2022.2071672

“The process of metabolic engineering extracts the genes responsible for cannabinoid production from cannabis plants and inserts them into algae, creating a type of cannabis surrogacy in algae.”

Case Report: Oral and topical chronic administration of THC-rich and CBD-rich cannabis oil as palliative care in a rescued horse with open wound, sarcoid and chronic pain

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“Cannabinoid-based therapies have shown analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing potential across veterinary species; however, clinical data on long-term use of THC-rich formulations in horses remain scarce.

This case report describes the use of combined oral and topical THC-rich and CBD-rich full-spectrum cannabis oils as part of a palliative care strategy in a rescued horse with severe chronic disease.

A senior mixed-breed gelding was rescued with a large, chronic ulcerative lesion of the left hind limb, severe malnutrition, non-weight-bearing lameness (AAEP grade 5/5), and refractory pain. Diagnostic workup identified a fibroblastic equine sarcoid complicated by complete suspensory tendon rupture, early osteomyelitis, and chronic joint disease. Conventional medical and surgical options were limited due to poor response, disease severity, and resource constraints.

A long-term palliative protocol was initiated using oral THC-rich and CBD-rich full-spectrum cannabis oils (1:1 ratio; 100 mg/mL each) with gradual dose escalation to a target of 0.5 mg/kg of each compound every 12 hours. The same formulation was applied topically to the wound once to twice daily. Treatment duration was 10 months, with concurrent multimodal analgesia as needed.

Cannabinoid therapy was associated with sustained improvements in appetite, body condition, pain, and mobility. Marked wound improvement was observed, including reduced granulation tissue, improved epithelialization, and resolution of self-mutilation.

No clinically relevant adverse effects or laboratory abnormalities occurred during routine dosing. Transient ataxia and sedation were noted only at high rescue doses near end of life. Despite eventual disease progression and euthanasia due to refractory pain, quality of life was substantially improved for most of the treatment period.

This case supports the potential role of combined THC-rich and CBD-rich cannabis oils as a safe and effective adjunct in multimodal palliative care for horses with chronic, refractory conditions. Controlled studies are warranted to define optimal dosing and indications.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42311392

“Across veterinary species, cannabinoids have shown therapeutic potential with favorable safety and tolerability profiles.”

“The aim of this case report is to describe a long-term multimodal clinical approach using cannabinoids (THC and CBD) in a rescued horse affected by a wound/sarcoid and joint disease, as part of a palliative care strategy for pain management, inflammation control, and wound-healing enhancement.”

“This case suggests that long-term administration of THC-rich and CBD-rich cannabis oils may be a useful adjunct for palliative management in horses with chronic, refractory conditions.”

“Cannabinoid therapy was associated with improved comfort, mobility, and quality of life, supporting its potential role within multimodal palliative care.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1794084/full


Unexpected improvement of hyperhidrosis with cannabidiol

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“Hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating and it affects almost 5% of the population. The affected age group is wide, and it can affect from children to elderlies. There are two types of hyperhidrosis: generalized and focal. Treatment depends on the symptoms presented. In more severe cases, radiofrequency sympatholysis and bilateral thoracic sympathectomy are the options. However, recurrence is possible or the postoperative appearance of conditions called compensatory hyperhidrosis or reflex hyperhidrosis.

We describe two cases of patients treated with Cannabidiol who had significant and unexpected improvement of hyperhidrosis.

The first patient received Cannabidiol specific for public presentations at work, and the second patient had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

The hyperhidrosis improved in both patients immediately after using Cannabidiol.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35170710

Don’t Sweat It: Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors Reduce Sweating in a Mouse Model

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“Numerous exocrine glands play key physiological roles in the body that include tearing, salivation, and lactation, as well as the control of body temperature via sweating. Malfunction of sweat glands can be deeply problematic or-in the case of anhidrosis-life-threatening. The prevalence of sweating disorders is high, affecting millions. The few available therapies are generally of limited effectiveness.

Several lines of evidence point to regulation of sweating by the cannabinoid signaling system, an arrangement that would mirror cannabinoid regulation of tearing and salivation.

Mice sweat in their paws via glands that closely resemble human eccrine sweat glands, including regulation by muscarinic signaling and by temperature. We applied a galvanic skin response-based assay to investigate cannabinoid regulation of sweating in awake, unanesthetized mice. The muscarinic agonist pilocarpine increased conductance while the antagonist glycopyrrolate reduced conductance, validating the model as a measure of sweating. The cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55940 substantially reduced conductance in wild-type and CB2 but not CB1 receptor knockout mice.

The phytocannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also reduced conductance, while the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) did not. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected CB1 receptors in periglandular cholinergic axons, the anandamide-synthesizing enzyme NAPE-PLD in myoepithelial cells, and the anandamide metabolizing enzyme FAAH in acinar cells. This indicates that a local CB1/anandamide-based circuit is present in mouse walking pads.

In summary, we employed a novel galvanic skin response-based assay to determine that cannabinoid CB1 receptors reduce sweating in a mouse model. This may point to a previously unappreciated effect on sweating in cannabis users.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42287607

“In summary, we have made use of a galvanic skin response-based assay to measure the conductivity in the hind paws of awake, unanesthetized mice as a measure of sweating. We find the galvanic skin responses to be stable and consistent over time and, importantly, to be responsive to stimuli that increase or decrease basal sweating. Using this model, we determined that cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation reduces the galvanic skin response.

We propose that cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation reduces basal sweating in mice.

This effect may point the way to a new class of therapeutics for hyperhidrosis.”

https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202601143R

Cannabinoids in hyperhidrosis

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“In our literature search for alternative treatments, we identified multiple unscientific and anecdotal sources claiming that cannabis can inhibit sweating. Our search of the medical literature revealed no evidence of a treatment attempt using cannabinoids, and thus, we initiated our study of one case with refractory generalized hyperhidrosis treated with cannabinoids from March to May 2021.

We observed a marked reduction in measured sweat and a significant improvement in the patient’s psychological well-being.

We conclude that, potentially, cannabinoids represent an effective therapeutic agent for hyperhidrosis and are worthy of further high-quality clinical investigation.”

“Hyperhidrosis can significantly curtail patient quality of life, from debilitating physical symptoms to social stigmatization and reduced life opportunities. Current treatments often prove unsatisfactory, especially in sufferers of generalized hyperhidrosis. In this open trial, we present the case of a refractory generalized hyperhidrosis treated with cannabinoids.

We found a remarkable reduction in the volume of sweat and an improvement to the patient’s quality of life using this novel low-cost and low-impact approach.”

“In summary, we report a case of precisely analyzed effects of cannabinoid therapy in generalized hyperhidrosis.

We believe cannabinoids hold potential as a low side-effect and well-tolerated therapy, especially in refractory cases of hyperhidrosis.

This reflects not only in the reduced perspiration, but also in the significant improvement in the participant’s quality of life.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36200741/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2022.2127308#d1e182

Protective effects of extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles derived from Cannabis sativa adventitious roots against UVB-induced damage in human keratinocytes

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“Background: Plant-derived bioactive compounds are increasingly sought after in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, prompting the development of sustainable production methods. This study explored the potential of Cannabis sativa adventitious root cultures to produce extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles (CA-NPs) and investigated their protective effects against UVB-induced damage in human keratinocytes.

Methods: CA-NPs were isolated from Cannabis sativa root cultures and characterized for particle size, zeta potential and stability. HaCaT keratinocytes were used to assess the nanoparticles’ ability to improve cell viability, reduce apoptosis and alleviate oxidative stress after UVB exposure. Gene expression of skin barrier components and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was analysed, and underlying signalling pathways (MAPK, Nrf2) were examined.

Results: CA-NPs (~128 nm, -12.9 mV) showed strong physicochemical stability and effectively protected HaCaT cells from UVB-induced damage. They suppressed MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9 expression while enhancing skin barrier-related genes (HAS1, FLG, LOR, IVL). CA-NPs also modulated MAPK and Nrf2 pathways, reducing inflammation and boosting antioxidant defences.

Conclusion: Cannabis sativa-derived CA-NPs offer a promising natural approach to protect the skin from UVB-induced damage, supporting their potential as bioactive candidates for future skincare or cosmeceutical applications for preventing photoaging and inflammation.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42298090

“These findings support the potential of CA-NPs as bioactive candidates for topical or cosmeceutical formulations aimed at alleviating UVB-induced skin damage and photoageing.”

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ics.70108