Evaluating the Association of Cannabis Use and Longitudinal Kidney Outcomes

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“Background: Cannabis is the most used federally controlled substance in the United States. Given the increasingly widespread use of cannabis, further examination of its health implications is needed. We evaluated the association of cannabis use and longitudinal kidney outcomes among a cohort of adults living in Baltimore, MD. 

Methods: We used data from healthy aging in neighborhoods of diversity across the life span study. Baseline cannabis use (obtained between 2004 and 2009) was categorized as never tried, tried, never used regularly (irregular use), regular use >6 months prior (former regular use), and regular use within the past 6 months (current regular use). The primary outcome was incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at follow-up (2013-2017). Risk of rapid kidney function decline (decline in eGFR of >3 mL/min per 1.73 m2 per year) and incident albuminuria (albumin-to-creatinine ratio [ACR] ≥ 30 mg/g) were also assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of cannabis use with kidney outcomes. 

Results: Among 1,521 participants, the mean age was 48 years, 58% were female, and 58% were of Black race. Participants with current regular cannabis use were more likely to be younger, male, Black, and to concurrently use cigarettes, opiates, and/or cocaine.

Compared with those with no history of cannabis use, participants with current regular cannabis use were not at higher risk of incident CKD (OR: 0.79 [95% CI: 0.37-1.68]), rapid kidney function decline (OR: 0.80 [95% CI: 0.43-1.49), or incident albuminuria (OR: 0.84 [95% CI: 0.38-1.87]) after adjustment for sociodemographics, health factors, and concurrent use of cigarette, opiate, or cocaine. 

Conclusion: In this Baltimore-based cohort of adults without CKD, there was no independent association between cannabis use and adverse kidney outcomes over time.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40735771/

Process Development for GMP-Grade Full Extract Cannabis Oil: Towards Standardized Medicinal Use

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“Background/Objectives: The industrial extraction and purification processes of Cannabis sativa L. compounds are critical steps in creating formulations with reliable and reproducible therapeutic and sensorial attributes. 

Methods: For this study, standardized preparations of chemotype I were chemically analyzed, and the sensory attributes were studied to characterize the extraction and purification processes, ensuring the maximum retention of cannabinoids and minimization of other secondary metabolites. The industrial process used deep-cooled ethanol for selective extraction. 

Results: Taking into consideration that decarboxylation occurs in the process, the cannabinoid profile composition was preserved from the herbal substance to the herbal preparations, with wiped-film distillation under deep vacuum conditions below 0.2 mbar, as a final purification step. The profiles of the terpenes and cannabinoids in crude and purified Full-spectrum Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO) were analyzed at different stages to evaluate compositional changes that occurred throughout processing. Subjective intensity and acceptance ratings were received for taste, color, overall appearance, smell, and mouthfeel of FECO preparations. 

Conclusions: According to sensory analysis, purified FECO was more accepted than crude FECO, which had a stronger and more polarizing taste, and received higher ratings for color and overall acceptance. In contrast, a full cannabis extract in the market resulted in lower acceptance due to taste imbalance. The purification process effectively removed non-cannabinoids, improving sensory quality while maintaining therapeutic potency. Terpene markers of the flower were remarkably preserved in SOMAÍ’s preparations’ fingerprint, highlighting a major qualitative profile reproducibility and the opportunity for their previous separation and/or controlled reintroduction. The study underscores the importance of monitoring the extraction and purification processes to optimize the cannabinoid content and sensory characteristics in cannabis preparations.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40733057/

“This study highlights the effectiveness of SOMAÍ’s extraction and purification processes in optimizing the sensory and therapeutic quality of full-spectrum medicinal cannabis extracts for herbal preparations. The method employed was explicitly tailored to collect cannabinoid fractions from the natural cannabis flower oils. The resulting purified full-spectrum extract is selectively concentrated in the profiled beneficial compounds naturally found within the flower, successfully removing compounds lacking scientifically proven therapeutic value. While these unwanted compounds will have an impact on the final taste of the decarboxylated full-spectrum oil, herbal medicines created from unpurified full cannabis extract oil will, therefore, have a range of tastes, such as earthy, bitter, and grassy, all of which are strong and generally regarded as unpleasant for therapeutic adherence. The process developed herein is to obtain a standardized THC-dominant crude extract. The same process is applied to CBD-dominant crude extract. With these two extracts, the pharmaceutical company can prepare medicines with a precise and previously defined ratio between the two main bioactive components, an objective not achievable if depending exclusively on the present ratio in the herbal substance.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/848

A Stroll Through Saffron Fields, Cannabis Leaves, and Cherry Reveals the Path to Waste-Derived Antimicrobial Bioproducts

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“Background: The accumulation of agri-food waste is a major environmental and economic challenge and converting these by-products into bioactive compounds fits within the circular bioeconomy. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of extracts derived from Cannabis sativa L. leaves (CSE), Crocus sativus tepals (CST), and Prunus avium L. cherry waste (VCE) against four key bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureusBacillus subtilisEscherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). 

Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were performed to assess antibacterial activity, while a bioinformatic pipeline was implemented to explore possible molecular targets. Full-proteome multiple sequence alignments across the bacterial strains were used to identify conserved, strain-specific proteins, and molecular docking simulations were applied to predict binding interactions between the most abundant compounds in the extracts and their targets. 

Results: CSE and CST demonstrated bacteriostatic activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis (MIC = 15.6 mg/mL), while VCE showed selective activity against B. subtilis (MIC = 31.5 mg/mL). CodY was identified as a putative molecular target for CSE and CST, and ChaA for VCE. Docking results supported the possibility of spontaneous binding between abundant extract constituents and the predicted targets, with high binding affinities triggering a strong interaction network with target sensing residues. 

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the antimicrobial activity of these agri-food wastes and introduces a comprehensive in vitro and in silico workflow to support the bioactivity of these agri-food wastes and repurpose them for innovative, eco-sustainable applications in the biotechnology field and beyond.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40732292/

“Given the observed antimicrobial activity against foodborne and surface-associated pathogens, the findings suggest that these extracts may hold promise for use in natural food preservation or environmental hygiene applications.The approach and the evidence adopted here and provided in this study could be useful for future for more eco-friendly and cost-effective strategies to develop waste-derived bioproducts for different purposes.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1003


Targeting Vascular and Inflammatory Crosstalk: Cannabigerol as a Dual-Pathway Modulator in Rosacea

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“Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by persistent erythema and abnormal vascular response. Although current treatments focus on symptomatic relief, they often provide only temporary improvement and may be associated with side effects or recurrence.

Cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has recently garnered attention for its pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and skin barrier-supportive effects. However, its role in modulating pathological responses in rosacea remains unclear.

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of topically applied CBG in an LL-37-induced rosacea-like mouse model.

Clinical and histological assessments revealed that CBG markedly reduced erythema, epidermal hyperplasia, and mast cell infiltration. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed downregulation of Il1bIl4Il6Il13Il22Il31Tlr2Vegfa, and Mmp9. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses further demonstrated suppression of CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), along with reduced activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, including decreased levels of JAK1, STAT3, and phosphorylated STAT3.

These findings suggest that topical CBG alleviates rosacea-like skin inflammation by targeting inflammatory and vascular pathways, including JAK/STAT and YAP/TAZ signaling.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40725084/

“In conclusion, our study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of CBG in an LL-37-induced mouse model of rosacea. Topical CBG treatment significantly reduced clinical erythema, epidermal hyperplasia, and mast cell infiltration, and suppressed key inflammatory and vascular mediators at both the mRNA and protein levels. Mechanistically, CBG inhibited the expression of cytokines, Vegfa, and Tlr2, as well as the activation of YAP/TAZ and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, which are known to be involved in rosacea pathogenesis.

These findings highlight CBG as a promising non-psychoactive cannabinoid with therapeutic relevance for the treatment of rosacea.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/14/6840

Trans-Cannabitriol as a Dual Inhibition of MPOX Adhesion Receptors L1R and E8L: An In Silico Perspective

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“The re-emergence of monkeypox virus (MPXV) as a global public health concern highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies targeting viral proteins essential for infection.

This study investigates the inhibitory potential of Trans-Cannabitriol (trans-CBT), a minor cannabinoid, against MPXV proteins L1R, H3L, and E8L using an integrative in silico framework.

Homology modeling was employed to generate 3D structures of these proteins, followed by molecular docking and 1 µs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The trans-CBT demonstrated strong binding affinities for L1R (-10.76 kcal/mol) and E8L (-8.531 kcal/mol), with weaker interactions observed for H3L (-5.739 kcal/mol).

Four MD simulations of 1 µs revealed that trans-CBT stabilizes L1R by reducing its flexibility and solvent exposure, potentially inhibiting viral entry into host cells. In contrast, trans-CBT increased the flexibility and conformational changes of E8L, possibly impairing its function in viral attachment and pathogenesis. ADMET and target prediction analyses further supported its drug-likeness and safety, with the absence of strong CB1/CB2 binding suggesting that trans-CBT may exert its antiviral effects independently of classical cannabinoid pathways.

These findings provide insights into the diverse mechanisms of action of trans-CBT on MPXV proteins and underscore its potential as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent. While promising, further experimental validation and optimization are necessary to assess the real-world applicability of trans-CBT in combating MPXV infections.

This work contributes to the expanding field of cannabinoid-derived antivirals and highlights the importance of exploring under-investigated phytochemicals for therapeutic applications.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40718062/

“The trans-CBT shows promise as an antiviral agent targeting MPXV proteins L1R and E8L. Molecular docking identified trans-CBT as the best-binding ligand for these proteins, with MD simulations revealing distinct effects: it stabilizes L1R by reducing flexibility and solvent exposure, potentially inhibiting viral entry, while it increases E8L’s flexibility and disrupts its conformation, possibly impairing its function.”

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/11779322251355315

Dietary Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Products Enhance Egg Yolk Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Color Without Compromising Laying-Hen Performance: A Meta-Analysis

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“Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) products have gained attention in poultry nutrition for their rich content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), bioactive compounds, and potential functional benefits. However, findings on their impact on laying-hen performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid profiles have been inconsistent.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary hemp products on laying-hen performance, egg quality traits, and yolk fatty acid composition, while exploring potential sources of heterogeneity across studies.

A comprehensive literature search identified 21 studies that met the inclusion criteria. A random-effects model was used to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for various outcomes, including production performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid profiles. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses assessed the influence of factors such as inclusion level, hen age, and hemp product type.

The results showed that hemp supplementation had no significant effect on hen-day production, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, or feed intake. However, yolk redness (SMD = 4.40; 95% CI: 2.46, 6.33; p < 0.001) and yellowness (SMD = 4.45; 95% CI: 2.75, 6.16; p < 0.001) were significantly enhanced. Hemp feeding also increased n-3 PUFA levels in egg yolk, including C18:3n3, C20:5n3, and C22:6n3, while reducing saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Subgroup analysis indicated that inclusion levels > 10% and hen age ≤ 25 weeks were associated with slight reductions in hen-day production, whereas older hens (>25 weeks) showed increased egg weight.

In conclusion, hemp products can enrich yolk pigmentation and n-3 PUFA content in eggs, supporting the production of functional, value-added eggs without compromising the laying-hen performance.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40723525/

“This meta-analysis underscores the potential of hemp-derived products as functional feed ingredients in laying-hen nutrition. Supplementation with hempseed, hempseed cake, or hempseed oil was found to significantly enhance yolk pigmentation and enrich long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, without adversely affecting key performance metrics such as hen-day egg production, egg mass, or feed conversion ratio when inclusion levels are appropriately managed. Subgroup analyses revealed that inclusion levels above 10% and use in younger hens (≤25 weeks) may negatively impact productivity, whereas older hens exhibited improved egg weight. Among the different hemp product types, hemp oil demonstrated the most pronounced benefits for yolk coloration and fatty acid enrichment.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2062

In silico exploration of pyrocannabinoid interactions with key protein targets

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“Cannabinoids, particularly those derived from cannabis, attract considerable attention in recent years for their therapeutic potential in treating various diseases and ailments.

In this study, we identify cannabinoid byproducts that result from the combustion of cannabidiol-henceforth referred to as pyrocannabinoids-and employ molecular docking simulations to investigate their interactions with key protein targets implicated in different physiological processes. Specifically, we focus on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, p21-activated kinase 1, CB1, CB2, and GPR119 proteins, elucidating the binding modes and affinities of pyrocannabinoid byproducts to these receptors. This investigation is done in collaboration with Real Isolates LLC.

Our findings reveal diverse ligand-protein interactions, with some pyrocannabinoids displaying favorable binding energies and stable ligand-protein complexes. However, variations in binding affinities across different proteins underscore the complex pharmacological profiles of the pyrocannabinoids. Furthermore, the prediction of adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties highlights both promising and concerning aspects of cannabinoid pharmacokinetics, emphasizing the need for thorough preclinical evaluation. Additionally, our investigation into potential metabolic sites using cytochrome P450 enzymes provides insights into cannabinoid metabolites.

Overall, our study contributes to the understanding of pyrocannabinoid pharmacology and informs the rational design of pyrocannabinoid-based therapeutics. Further experimental validation is warranted to translate these findings into clinically relevant applications.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40718581/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40203-025-00391-9

Cannabis-derived cellulose acetate electrospun membranes for therapeutic dressings: extraction, characterization, and prototype development

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“This work reports the development of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) membranes derived from Cannabis sativa biomass for potential use in therapeutic dressings.

Cellulose was extracted from cannabis stalks using alkaline pulping and bleaching, followed by homogeneous acetylation to obtain CA with controlled substitution. CA solutions (13%-25%) were electrospun under varying parameters, and the 17% formulation yielded the most homogeneous, bead-free nanofibers. The resulting membranes were characterized using FTIR, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and SEM. FTIR and Raman confirmed acetylation through characteristic ester and methyl group vibrations.

XRD revealed reduced crystallinity in CA compared to native cellulose. SEM analysis showed uniform fiber networks with diameters between 500 and 800 nm. A bilayer dressing prototype was fabricated by integrating the electrospun membrane with a medical-grade silicone adhesive. Adhesion performance was evaluated on synthetic skin using a FINAT-standardized 180° peel test.

The membranes demonstrated adequate mechanical cohesion and conformability, supporting their application as sustainable, plant-based biomedical patches.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40698058/

“Taken together, this work presents the first full validation of cannabis-derived cellulose acetate as a processable, biocompatible, and functionally versatile material for advanced medical dressing systems.

Collectively, these findings support the use of Cannabis sativa as a viable and sustainable raw material for the development of high-performance cellulose acetate membranes. The study demonstrates not only the chemical and morphological comparability of cannabis-derived materials to commercial analogs but also their potential in next-generation biomedical and filtration technologies.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1624736/full

Medical Cannabis Use and Healthcare Utilization Among Patients with Chronic Pain: A Causal Inference Analysis Using TMLE

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“Introduction: Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of U.S. adults, imposing significant burdens on individuals and healthcare systems. Medical cannabis has emerged as a potential therapy, yet its impact on healthcare utilization remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed administrative data from a telehealth platform providing medical cannabis certifications across 36 U.S. states. Patients were classified as cannabis-exposed if they had used cannabis in the past year, while unexposed patients had no prior cannabis use. Outcomes included self-reported urgent care visits, emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and quality of life (QoL), measured using the CDC’s Healthy Days measure. Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation with SuperLearner estimated causal effects, adjusting for numerous covariates.

Results: Medical cannabis users exhibited significantly lower healthcare utilization. Specifically, exposure was associated with a 2.0 percentage point reduction in urgent care visits (95% CI: -0.036, -0.004), a 3.2 percentage point reduction in ED visits (95% CI: -0.051, -0.012) and fewer unhealthy days per month (-3.52 days, 95% CI: -4.28, -2.76). Hospitalization rates trended lower but were not statistically significant. Covariate balance and propensity score overlap indicated well-fitting models.

Conclusions: Medical cannabis use was associated with reduced healthcare utilization and improved self-reported QoL among chronic pain patients.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40700267/

“The findings of this study suggest, in line with existing research, that medical cannabis is likely an effective treatment option for patients with chronic pain. Moreover, we found that, in addition to an increase in QoL, medical cannabis exposure is associated with lower risk of urgent care and ED visits, when comparing patients who used medical cannabis for at least one year to cannabis-naïve patients. This underscores the potential for not only QoL gains associated with medical cannabis use, but also positive downstream effects on the healthcare system resulting from treatment.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/4/96

Hemp seed as an emerging source of nutritious functional ingredients

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“Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), cultivated for its low THC content (<0.3%), is increasingly valued for its nutrient-rich seeds and broad applications in human nutrition.

This review offers a holistic analysis of hemp seed utilization, covering agronomic, nutritional, processing, and economic aspects. Agronomic practices and environmental factors considerably influence the seed’s nutritional profile, which includes high levels of complete proteins, essential fatty acids with an optimal ω-6 to ω-3 ratio, dietary fiber, and micronutrients.

Hemp seeds also contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties providing further health benefits and economic value.

Advancements in processing methods, such as germination, fermentation, and cold pressing have enhanced nutrient bioavailability and reduced antinutritional factors, supporting the development of functional foods. Economically, the hemp seed market shows strong growth potential, driven by consumer demand for plant-based, sustainable food sources. However, challenges persist in scaling production and standardizing quality across supply chains.

Hemp seeds represent a sustainable, nutrient-dense food ingredient with momentous potential to support health and diversify agricultural economies. Continued interdisciplinary research and supportive policy frameworks are essential to unlock their full value in the human diet.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40699152/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2025.2534839