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In vitro characterization the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of hemp (Cannabis sativa spp.) varieties cultivated in Northern Alabama

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“Plants, especially those recognized for their medicinal properties, are an excellent source of bioactive components and are attracting considerable interest in the food industry due to their natural bioactivity.

In this context, hemp species (Cannabis sativa spp.) were investigated for such applications because of their well-documented antibacterial and antioxidant activities. However, the bioactive efficacy of varieties being introduced in Northern Alabama and their implications for food safety have not been studied.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidative potential of four hemp varieties grown at the Alabama A&M University, Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Northern Alabama using three different extraction solvents (deionized water, acetone, and ethanol).

Antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging activity (2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl), Total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antibacterial activity against cocktails of enteric pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenese, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enterica was evaluated for optical density using a BioScreen-C microtiter. Also, the disc diffusion extraction yield was evaluated to determine the best extraction solvent. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error (n = 3) and ANOVA (P ≤ 0.05).

The ethanolic extracts exhibited the the highest extraction yield at 25.29 ± 0.70% (RE), while the antioxidant result demonstrated that the ethanolic extracts had the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity at 64.03 ± 0.26% (RE).

The results of the antibacterial studies showed that ethanolic hemp extracts exhibited significantly higher growth inhibition against all foodborne pathogens > 70% (p ≤ 0.05).

The results show that the ethanolic extracts has significant extraction yield and bioactivity, highlighting ethanolic extract utilization in future antimicrobial nanofiber application.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39891281/

“Hemp (Cannabis sativa). Cannabis sativa has been used for thousands of years to prevent disease in humans.”

“In various reports, hemp has been shown to contain phytochemical compounds (such as phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenophenolics) that effectively inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and scavenge free radicals.

Hemp has been used in traditional medicine as a therapeutic agent with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive properties that can cure many ailments.

The ability of the hemp ethanolic extracts to scavenge the DPPH free radical indicates that they may have antioxidant properties. The inhibition of EC, SE, and LM in disc diffusion and growth inhibition assays by ethanolic hemp extracts suggests growth inhibitory effects of the extract, and pinpoints ethanol as the most effective extraction solvent for maceration extraction of northern Alabama varieties.

The obtained results support the idea that hemp grown in northern Alabama can be used as a plant-based natural preservative because of its antibacterial and antioxidant potential in food preservation. Future research is required to study quantitative antibacterial and antioxidant activities, mechanisms of antibacterial action, phytochemical profiles through analytical chromatography, and applications of hemp ethanol extract in nanotechnology.”

https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-025-00258-y


Retinal pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetics profile of cannabidiol in an in vivo model of retinal excitotoxicity

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“Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the principal constituents of Cannabis Sativa with no psychoactive properties. CBD is a promising neuroprotective compound bearing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, considering its low solubility, CBD delivery to the retina represents an unresolved issue.

The first aim was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of CBD in an in vivo model of retinal excitotoxicity induced by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA).

Rats underwent intravitreal co-injection of AMPA (42 nmol) and CBD (10-4 M). The neuroprotective effect of CBD was investigated with histology and immunohistochemical evaluation of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers.

CBD reversed the AMPA-induced total retinal, inner nuclear layer and inner plexiform layer shrinkage and loss of amacrine cells. Moreover, CBD decreased the AMPA induced number of cleaved caspase-3, Iba-1 and nitrotyrosine (NT) positive cells.

Based on this evidence, we developed a nanotechnological formulation of CBD to overcome critical issues related to its eye delivery. Particularly, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) loaded with CBD were prepared, optimized and characterized.

Due to the optimal physicochemical characteristics, CBD-NLC3 has been selected and the in vitro release profile has been investigated. Additionally, CBD-NLC3 was topically administered to rats, and retinal CBD levels were determined. CBD-NLC3 formulation, after a single topical administration, efficiently delivered CBD in the retina (Cmax= 98 ± 25.9 ng/mg; Tmax = 60 minutes), showing a high translational value.

In conclusion, these findings showed a good PD/PK profile of CBD warranting further pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of the new formulation for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39892452/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299925000767?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol Ameliorates Doxorubicin-Induced Myocardial Injury via Activating Hippo Pathway

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“Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used for cancer treatment and has non-negligible cardiotoxicity. Some previous studies have reported that cannabidiol (CBD) has cardioprotective effects. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of CBD against DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury, and explored the downstream molecular mechanism.

Methods and materials: GSE193861, containing healthy myocardial tissues and myocardial tissues with DOX-induced injury, was analyzed to screen for the involved proteins and pathways. Molecular docking was performed to identify candidate drugs. After H9c2 cells were treated with DOX and CBD, their viability, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were assessed. After YAP depletion, the role of the Hippo pathway in CBD function was investigated. C57BL/6 mice were treated with DOX to establish an in vivo model, and CBD and verteporfin (VP) were used to treat the mice. Histological analyses and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate myocardial tissue injury, and apoptosis and oxidative stress of the myocardial tissues were also analyzed. Western blotting was used to investigate the regulatory effects of CBD on the Hippo and apoptosis-related pathways.

Results: Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the Hippo pathway was a crucial pathway involved in DOX-induced myocardial injury. Molecular docking showed that CBD targeted multiple regulators of the Hippo pathway. CBD showed cardioprotective effects against DOX-induced myocardial injury both in vitro and in vivo and regulated Hippo pathway activity in cardiomyocytes. After inactivation of the Hippo pathway by YAP knockdown or VP intervention, the protective effects of CBD were reversed.

Conclusion: For the first time, we revealed that CBD is likely to reduce DOX-induced myocardial injury by regulating the Hippo signaling pathway.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39876987/

“Overall, this study reports that CBD alleviates DOX-induced myocardial injury by regulating the Hippo pathway.”

https://www.dovepress.com/cannabidiol-ameliorates-doxorubicin-induced-myocardial-injury-via-acti-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DDDT

Permeability of active ingredients of cannabis and possibility for further antituberculosis drug development

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“Background

Cannabis is presently legalized in several countries owing to its medicinal property. The antibacterial properties of active ingredients of cannabis have been mentioned. Their usefulness in the management of tuberculosis is very interesting.

Materials and methods 

The authors performed a bioinformatics analysis to assess the possibility of important active ingredients of cannabis.

Results 

Based on the present analysis, it can be seen that the studied active ingredients of cannabis can effectively pass through the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, indicating the possibility of further pharmacological actions.

Conclusion 

The active ingredients of cannabis are the possible new targets for further antituberculosis drug development.”

“Cannabis is presently legalized in several countries owing to its medicinal properties[3]. The antibacterial property of active ingredients of cannabis is mentioned. Their usefulness in management of tuberculosis is very interesting. In the present study, the authors studied the permeability of active ingredients detectable in cannabis. The studied ingredients are the important main ingredients including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)[4]. The study is a useful basic study for further antituberculosis drug search.”

“Here, it can be shown that the studied active ingredients of cannabis have the possibility to pass into the mycobacterial cell. Difference in permeability based on the size of the ingredients can be observed. Of interest, it can confirm the previous reports that the Mycobacteria can cause biotransformation of CBD[9], delta-8-THC[9], and delta-9 THC[10]. This observation can show that CHD, delta-8-THC, and delta-9 THC can be a further target for antituberculosis drug development. The three studied main active ingredients of cannabis are reported for bactericidal activity for some gram-positive bacteria.”

“The present study is a medical pharmacoinformatics study. It can confirm that the active ingredients of cannabis are the possible new targets for further antituberculosis drug development.”

https://journals.lww.com/ecdt/fulltext/2021/70030/permeability_of_active_ingredients_of_cannabis_and.3.aspx

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature

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“Neuroinflammation is a key factor in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, driven by the dysregulation of molecular pathways and activation of the brain’s immune system, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory and oxidative molecules. This chronic inflammation is exacerbated by peripheral leukocyte infiltration into the central nervous system.

Medicinal plants, with their historical use in traditional medicine, have emerged as promising candidates to mitigate neuroinflammation and offer a sustainable alternative for addressing neurodegenerative conditions in a green healthcare framework.

This review evaluates the effects of medicinal plants on neuroinflammation, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, effective dosages, and clinical implications, based on a systematic search of databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science.

The key findings highlight that plants like Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala, Curcuma longa, 

Cannabis sativa,

and Dioscorea nipponica reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), inhibit enzymes (COX-2 and iNOS), and activate antioxidant pathways, particularly Nrf2. NF-κB emerged as the primary pro-inflammatory pathway inhibited across studies. While the anti-inflammatory potential of these plants is significant, the variability in dosages and phytochemical compositions limits clinical translation.

Here, we highlight that medicinal plants are effective modulators of neuroinflammation, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on animal models, standardized protocols, and safety assessments, integrating advanced methodologies, such as genetic studies and nanotechnology, to enhance their applicability in neurodegenerative disease management.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39861194/

“Addressing neuroinflammation to reduce disease severity and improve patient outcomes is a promising strategy against neurodegeneration. From a molecular perspective, there are several conventional drug targets for neuroinflammation, such as enzymes, receptors, and ion channels. However, the high cost of synthetic drugs presents a challenge, emphasizing the need for alternative approaches. This has heightened interest in naturally occurring medicinal plants known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. These plants are often more cost-effective and have been safely utilized in treatments for thousands of year.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/1/133

Optimization and Evaluation of Cannabis-Based Magistral Formulations: A Path to Personalized Therapy

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“Introduction: The official implementation of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis raw materials for medicinal use has permitted doctors to prescribe and pharmacists to prepare cannabis-based formulations. The objective of the pharmaceutical development and manufacturing process optimization work was to propose a suppository formulation containing doses of 25 mg and 50 mg of tetra-hydrocannabinol (∆-9-THC) as an alternative to existing inhalable or orally administered formulations. The formulation could be used for rectal or vaginal administration, thereby providing dosage control in the treatment of endometriosis and other conditions involving pain. In this study, two substrates from suppositories with standardized Cannabis extractum normatum (CEX) were used: cocoa butter and Witepsol® H15.

Materials and methods: The long-term stability of CEX was investigated over a period of up to 24 months. The concentrations of ∆-9-THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) were determined using an HPLC method. Furthermore, the water content of the extract, the ethanol residue, and the microbiological purity were determined. The pharmaceutical properties of CEX-incorporated suppositories, namely content uniformity, hardness, softening time, total deformation time, disintegration time, and the release profile of ∆-9-THC, CBD, and CBN, were evaluated in order to develop optimal preparation procedures for pharmacists.

Results and discussion: Following a 24-month stability study on CEX, no significant alterations in component content were observed beyond the specified requirements. The disintegration time, total deformation time, and hardness of the suppositories based on Witepsol® H15 with CEX were found to be longer and higher, respectively, than those of suppositories formulated with cocoa butter. In vitro studies demonstrated that suppositories prepared with Witepsol® H15 exhibited superior release of ∆-9-THC compared to those prepared with cocoa butter.

Conclusions: We suggest that pharmacists making prescription drugs in a pharmacy setting in the form of medical marijuana suppositories will receive a better release profile of the drug by choosing Witepsol® H15 as a substrate.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39861136/

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/1/73

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabigerol In Vitro and In Vivo Are Mediated Through the JAK/STAT/NFκB Signaling Pathway

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“Cannabinoid compounds have potential as treatments for a variety of conditions, with cannabigerol (CBG) being known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

In this study, we investigated the effects of CBG in a cellular model of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD).

In the cellular model, we confirmed the cytotoxicity of CBG and downregulated the expression of inflammatory markers CCL26, IL1B, IL6, and TNF (p < 0.001). In the mouse model, clinical, histological, and immunological changes were analyzed.

The results showed that CBG improved dermatitis severity score, epidermal thickness, and mast cell count and reduced inflammatory cytokines (Tslp, Il1b, Il4, Il6, Il13, Il17, Il18, Il22, and Il33) by qRT-PCR (p < 0.001). Western blot results showed modulated changes in JAK1, JAK2, TYK2, STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, p-STAT3, STAT6, and p-STAT6 (p < 0.05). Subsequently, p-IκBα, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB signaling factors were also reduced (p < 0.05), with corresponding changes in skin barrier factors.

The results of this study indicate that CBG effectively alleviates AD-like symptoms and suggest the potential of CBG as a therapeutic agent.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39851511/

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/2/83

Unveiling Cannabinoids and Terpenes Diversity in Cannabis sativa L. from Northern India for Future Breeding Strategies

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“Cannabis sativa L. is an important medicinal plant with high commercial value.

In recent years, the research interest in cannabidiol (CBD) and terpene-rich cannabis has been rapidly expanding due to their high therapeutic potential.

The present study aims to explore the phytocannabinoids and terpenes diversity in Cannabis sativa collected from different parts of northern India.

Our findings revealed that the cannabinoids and terpenes synthesize together in capitate stalked and capitate sessile glandular trichomes, whereas bulbous glands synthesize only terpenes. The North Indian C. sativa is mainly dominated by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The CBD-rich plant diversity is nominal (1.11%) in studied north Indian C. sativa. The essential oil profiling reveals (E)-caryophyllene (10.30-36.80%) as the major constituent, followed by α-humulene (0.50-15.29%) and α-bisabolol (0.00-16.40%) in the North Indian population.

The cannabinoids and terpenes content showed significant diversity among and within the five studied populations. The correlation analysis between cannabinoids and terpenes indicates that α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene positively correlated with CBD content. Similarly, α- and β-selinene correlate positively with tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) content. This study could help to identify the key cultivars from India and establish a consistent chemotype for future breeding programs.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39853702/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cbdv.202402278

Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults

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“Background: The effect of oral Cannabidiol (CBD) on interference during learning and memory (L&M) in healthy human volunteers has not been studied.

Method: A two-arm crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) to evaluate the effects of 246 mg oral CBD on L&M in healthy adults. Among 57 healthy volunteers enrolled, 35 were included in the analyses. For assessment of L&M, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) was used to evaluate verbal baseline cognitive function; RAVLT-R tests (List A and List B recalls, Proactive and Retroactive Interference ratios, and Forgetting Speed ratio) were used to evaluate verbal declarative memory; and total prose recall was used to evaluate verbal logical memory. Linear Mixed Models with Bonferroni Corrections were used to compare L&M results between primary outcomes (CBD vs. placebo) and secondary demographic outcomes, with a two-tailed statistical significance of P < 0.05.

Results: CBD administration did not affect any of the dependent variables measured compared to the placebo group. There were no effects of THC, history of CBD use, or sex on CBD’s modulation of L&M. However, a highly significant interaction effect between treatment groups (CBD vs. placebo) and age of subjects was observed for the PI ratio (P = 0.008; n = 35).

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that administration of oral CBD alone does not significantly impair L&M in healthy adults. However, age might influence CBD related modulation of proactive interference during human L&M. Future research involving a larger group of older adults is needed to confirm this potential effect.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39849639/

https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-025-00262-2

Mechanisms and strategic prospects of cannabinoids use: Potential applications in antimicrobial food packaging-A review

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“This review focuses on antimicrobial packaging for food safety, critically examining the activity and efficacy of cannabinoids against commonly found microorganisms and exploring their antimicrobial mechanisms.

Specifically, the review considers cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp plants, which are characterized by low levels of psychoactive components. It also outlines viable strategies to control the sustained release of cannabinoids from the packaging, enabling extended storage and enhanced safety of food products.

Research demonstrates that cannabinoids are effective against both foodborne bacteria and fungi, with their antimicrobial action primarily attributed to microbial membrane instability.

Cannabinoids can be utilized to prepare effective antimicrobial films and edible coatings; however, the number of studies in this area remains limited.

The potential of cannabinoids to contribute to intelligent packaging systems is also discussed, with an emphasis on the regulatory aspects and challenges associated with incorporating cannabinoids into food packaging. Finally, the review identifies future research directions to address current limitations and advance hemp-based antimicrobial food packaging solutions.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39840610/

https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.70113