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First Report of the Anti-Parasitic Effect of a Cannabis sativa full-spectrum Extract on Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto

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“Purpose: Cystic echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Albendazole (ABZ) is the drug of choice, although its efficacy is variable. The present research aimed to assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of a full-spectrum extract of Cannabis sativa inflorescences against E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.).

Methods: Protoscoleces and cysts were incubated in vitro with the C. sativa extract, achieving final CBD concentrations of 1, 5, 10, and 50 µg/ml. Viability was evaluated periodically. Structural and ultrastructural alterations were also recorded. For the clinical efficacy study, female CF-1 mice were infected. Six months later, mice were divided into groups (n = 10): (a) water control; (b) ABZ; (c) C. sativa extract, and (d) ABZ + C. sativa extract. Treatments were administered every 24 h for 30 days. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated according to the weight of the cysts collected and the ultrastructural alterations observed.

Results: The C. sativa extract caused a significant decrease in the viability of protoscoleces and cysts in vitro. The greatest effect was observed with 50 µg/ml, which generated the reduction in protoscoleces viability to 0% between 6 and 24 h post-incubation (pi) and the collapse of 92 ± 13% of the cysts after 24 h pi. All the in vivo treatments reduced the weight of the cysts and caused ultrastructural alterations, especially the combination of ABZ + C. sativa extract.

Conclusion: We demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of a full-spectrum extract of C. sativa inflorescences against E. granulosus s.s.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40659847/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11686-025-01090-3

“Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) refers to a specific species within the Echinococcus granulosus complex, a group of tapeworms that cause cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans and other animals. This species, also known as the “sheep strain,” is the most prevalent cause of human CE globally.”

Echinococcus granulosus | CABI Compendium

“Cystic echinococcosis in cattle and sheep caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto genotypes G1 and G3 in the USA”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38486339/

Patterns and factors among oncology fellows recommending medical cannabis to adults with cancer

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“Background: Medical cannabis consumption is rising, but limited evidence informs the safety and efficacy of cannabis use in cancer patients. A national survey of oncology trainees found that most fellows felt insufficiently informed to make clinical recommendations about cannabis.

Aim: In this secondary analysis, we aimed to measure how frequently trainees recommend in favor of cannabis and determine factors influencing this clinical practice.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study for fellows enrolled in oncology training programs across the United States, an online survey assessing trainee practices regarding medical cannabis was sent to 155 oncology fellowship program directors from January – March 2021; who were asked to distribute it to their fellows. The primary outcome was the frequency with which oncology fellows recommended cannabis in the prior year.

Results: Nationally, 40 programs from 25 states participated, with 189 of 462 trainees across these programs responding (40.9% response rate). 22% (95% CI: 16.3-29.0%) of participants reported recommending medical cannabis to > 5 patients in the past year. 24% (95% CI: 18.4-30.5%) of participants had prior training in medical cannabis. Regarding participant characteristics, only prior training in medical cannabis was significantly associated with recommending cannabis to > 5 patients (RR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4-4.2).

Conclusions: With increasing cannabis use among patients with cancer and given that a substantial number of oncology fellows recommend its use, it is crucial that fellowship training incorporate evidence-based curricula regarding medical cannabis use to guide informed decision-making between patients and their fellow providers.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40660376/

“1 in 5 oncology fellows participating in our study recommended it to > 5 patients in the past year. Prior training in medical cannabis was the sole factor associated with higher rates of discussing and recommending its use to patients. Personalized, patient-centered care for cancer patients—and all patients—is mandatorily founded on understanding and articulating the best available evidence regarding treatment options.

Accordingly, as medical cannabis gains more widespread legal status and is increasingly considered and used by our patients, it will be of critical importance that contemporary fellowship training programs incorporate rigorous, up-to-date curricula on this subject so as to prepare their trainees to engage in well-informed discussions and shared decision-making with those for whom they care.”

https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-025-00293-9

Chitosan-based film-forming systems with cannabidiol: a novel topical strategy for antimicrobial therapy

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“Innovative topical drug delivery systems, such as film forming systems, aim, among other objectives, to offer new application possibilities, enhance patient compliance, and provide prolonged therapeutic effects.

This study presents the development and comprehensive characterization of a novel chitosan-based film-forming system incorporating cannabidiol for antimicrobial topical treatment.

While chitosan and cannabidiol have been separately explored for their pharmaceutical properties, their combination within an in situ film-forming matrix remains largely unreported. Chitosan was chosen for its film-forming, mucoadhesive, and inherent antimicrobial properties. Ethanol-water ratios enabling optimal solubilization of chitosan were determined, and a suitable cannabidiol solubilizer was identified to ensure its homogeneous incorporation into the polymer matrix. The resulting films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, rheological analysis, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

In vitro studies demonstrated sustained cannabidiol release, favorable mechanical properties, and excellent antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi.

These results highlight the developed film-forming system as a novel and promising platform for the localized treatment of bacterial and fungal skin infections.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40659166/

A chronic low dose of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (3 mg / kg / 21 d) reorganizes the disturbed wound healing process and accelerates wound closure in old female mice

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“Wound healing in old mice is characterized by disturbed tissue homeostasis, manifested by delayed immune cell infiltration and reduced growth factor secretion, leading to a delayed onset and prolonged duration of the inflammatory phase.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important regulator of tissue homeostasis and cell migration and is also considered to be subject to aging processes, which may contribute to observable aging phenomena. Therefore, stimulating the aged ECS could represent a therapeutic option to support tissue regeneration in aging.

Female old mice received a low-dose of medical THC daily for 3 weeks, before four excisional full skin wounds were created. At day 1, 3 and 7 post-surgery, the wound closure rate was analyzed and wound samples were examined immunohistochemically for the numbers of granulocytes, M1-macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and regenerative growth factors were determined by ELISA.

Administration of THC improved the wound healing rate of old mice between day 1 and 7, which was associated with an altered timing and quantity of infiltrating immune cells and decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines in wound tissue on days 1 and 3 post-injury.

THC treatment significantly increased MSC infiltration but had no effect on the growth factor release.

The present study confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of THC in vivo.

The THC-treatment improved wound healing in old mice by coordinating the temporal sequence of immune cell infiltration and cytokine release. Thus, restoration of ECS signaling could be an effective strategy to support age-related skin regeneration.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40653209/

Uncovering the molecular targets of phytocannabinoids: mechanistic insights from inverse molecular docking fingerprint approaches

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“Introduction: Among diverse chemical profile of Cannabis sativa L., over 100 phytocannabinoids have been identified. The major cannabinoids ΔΔ -9-THC and CBD are well-studied, with approved palliative and therapeutic applications such as appetite stimulation, antiemetic therapy, pain management and epilepsy treatment. However, ΔΔ -9-THC’s psychotropic effects limit its broader use. Minor cannabinoids exhibit therapeutic promise for a variety of conditions, potentially offering therapeutic potential without the adverse effects of ΔΔ -9-THC.

Methods: We explored 14 cannabinoids with an inverse molecular docking approach, docking each cannabinoid into >50000>50000 human protein structures from the ProBiS-Dock database. We validated our inverse molecular docking protocol using retrospective metrics (ROC AUC, BEDROC, RIE, enrichment factors, total gain). We apply the novel inverse molecular docking fingerprint method to better analyze the binding patterns of different cannabinoids and extend the methodology to include hierarchical clustering of fingerprints.

Results: Our analysis of the inverse molecular docking results identified high scoring targets with potential as novel protein targets for minor cannabinoids, the majority associated with cancer, while others have connections with neurological disorders and inflammation. We highlighted GTPase KRas and hematopoietic cell kinase (HCK) as very promising potential targets due to favorable docking scores with almost all investigated cannabinoids. We also find multiple matrix metalloproteinases among the top targets, suggesting possible novel therapeutic opportunities in rheumatic diseases. An analysis of inverse molecular docking fingerprints shows similar binding patterns for cannabinoids with similar structures, minor structural differences still suffice to change the affinity to specific targets. Hierarchical clustering of inverse molecular docking fingerprints revealed two main clusters in protein binding pattern similarity, the first encompassing THC-class and similar cannabinoids, as well as CBL-class cannabinoids, while the second contained CBD, CBC, and CBG-class cannabinoids. Notably, CBL-class cannabinoids exhibited binding patterns more similar to THC-class cannabinoids than their CBC-class precursors, possibly offering potential therapeutic benefits akin to THC with fewer psychotropic effects.

Discussion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids and identifies their potential novel protein targets. Moreover, we demonstrate the utility of inverse molecular docking fingerprinting with clustering to identify compounds with similar binding patterns as well as identify pharmacophore-related compounds in a structurally agnostic manner, paving the way for future drug discovery and development.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40657640/

“We firmly believe that this study provides a springboard paving the way for experimental validations in vitro and in vivo, hopefully leading to novel therapies with cannabinoids.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1611461/full

In Silico Assessment of Cannabidiol From Cannabis sativa as an Antiviral Agent Against Key Shrimp Pathogens in Aquaculture

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“Shrimp aquaculture plays a crucial role in global food production but is increasingly threatened by viral and microsporidian pathogens such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) and Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV). Conventional reliance on antibiotics to combat these infections has raised serious concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance, environmental contamination and food safety. Additionally, environmental stressors such as salinity shifts and poor water quality exacerbate disease outbreaks, leading to severe production losses across Asia and Latin America.

To explore eco-friendly therapeutic alternatives, this study assessed the antiviral potential of cannabidiol (CBD), a bioactive compound extracted from Cannabis sativa seed oil, identified through GC-MS analysis.

Using molecular docking techniques, we evaluated CBD’s interactions with key viral proteins: VP28 of WSSV, the tubulin β-chain of EHP and the capsid protein of IHHNV. The docking results revealed strong binding affinities of -6.61 kcal/mol (EHP), -6.72 kcal/mol (IHHNV) and -5.38 kcal/mol (WSSV), indicating stable and potentially inhibitory interactions. Structural models were retrieved from RCSB PDB and SwissModel, while ligand preparation and docking were performed using AutoDock 4.2.

CBD also demonstrated favourable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, with predictions indicating no mutagenicity, hepatotoxicity or cardiotoxicity, and acceptable drug-likeness characteristics.

Compared to other plant-derived compounds previously tested in shrimp disease models, CBD exhibited superior binding stability, more interaction residues and better bioavailability scores.

These findings highlight CBD as a promising dual-function agent, capable of both modulating shrimp immunity and directly inhibiting key viral pathogens.

These findings highlight cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising dual-action compound, with the potential to both enhance shrimp immune responses and exert direct antiviral effects against key pathogens. This study lays a robust groundwork for future in vivo validations, formulation strategies and regulatory frameworks, ultimately supporting the development of sustainable, precision-based aquaculture health management.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40657679/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfd.70015

Public Attitudes Toward the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Proposal to Reschedule Marijuana: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Analysis

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“Introduction: On May 21, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a proposed rule to reschedule marijuana from schedule I to III under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), followed by a 60-day open comment period. The purpose of this study was to analyze the public attitudes regarding the proposed rule and identify trends based on time of comment submission and recurring arguments throughout the comments.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study. Comments from the proposal were stratified according to the submission date as early (May 21 to June 11), mid- (June 12 to July 2), and late (July 3-22) respondents. Investigators were assigned an equal number of comments to code as in favor of, against, or no clear position on rescheduling. Comments were further coded based on type of comment (form letters, personal anecdotes), rationale for comment (racism, decriminalization, safety, and economic factors), and whether descheduling was favored. Chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical data. A random sample of comments was selected to assure a 5% margin of error.

Results: More than 42,000 comments were submitted. Of these, 380 comments were selected and coded, with 42% (n = 158) in support of rescheduling, 55% (n = 211) against rescheduling, and 2.9% (n = 11) with no clear position. Of all comments coded, 71% wanted to go further and were in support of descheduling. The early responses consisted of a majority in favor of rescheduling, while the mid- and late responses consisted of more comments against rescheduling (X 2 [2, N = 369] = 35.8, p < 0.00001). Of the comments against rescheduling, a large majority supported descheduling (X 2 [2, N = 265] = 32.0, p < 0.0001). As for comment structure, 69% (n = 263) of all comments coded were form letters, while 8.4% (n = 32) were personal anecdotes.

Conclusion: The number of comments in support of rescheduling decreased with time, only dominating the early respondent wave. Despite a larger number of negative attitudes toward the DEA’s proposed rule of rescheduling marijuana from schedule I to III, a majority of comments supported taking a step further to deschedule marijuana all together.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40655530/

“The study’s findings suggest that future cannabis policy discussions may need to address not just rescheduling, but potentially more far-reaching reforms to align with evolving public sentiment. As the conversation around marijuana regulation continues, policymakers will need to carefully balance public health and safety concerns with growing calls for increased access and reduced criminalization.”

https://karger.com/mca/article/8/1/117/928534/Public-Attitudes-Toward-the-Drug-Enforcement

Exploring the Potential of Phytocannabinoids Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

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“The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens poses a critical threat to global health, creating an urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents.

In this study, we evaluated a small library of natural and semisynthetic phytocannabinoids against a broad panel of MDR Gram-positive bacterial strains, evidencing very good activity in the low µM range.

We provide evidence of the antibacterial activity of the two separated enantiomers of cannabidiol, offering novel insights into the stereochemical aspects of their bioactivity.

To investigate the possible molecular targets and clarify the mechanism of action, we employed Inverse Virtual Screening (IVS), a computational approach optimized for predicting potential protein-ligand interactions, on three selected MDR bacterial species. Interestingly, key targets belonging to important bacterial metabolic pathways and defense mechanisms were retrieved, and the results were used to rationalize the observed biological activities.

To the best of our knowledge, this study marks the first application of IVS to microorganisms, offering a novel strategy for identifying bacterial protein targets. The results pave the way for future experimental validation, structure-based drug design, and the development of novel antibacterial agents.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40647911/

“These findings suggest that these phytocannabinoids likely exert their antibacterial effects via multi-target inhibition, interfering with multiple essential bacterial pathways.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/1901

Multi-Target Protective Effects of β-Caryophyllene (BCP) at the Intersection of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration

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“Recent advances in cannabinoid-based therapies identified the natural CB2 receptor agonist β-caryophyllene (BCP) as a promising anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent. To further explore its therapeutic potential on the management of neurodegenerative disorders, in the present study we investigated the ability of BCP to prevent neuroinflammation and promote neuroprotection by using both in vitro and ex vivo models of β-amyloid induced neurotoxicity.

Our data showed that BCP significantly protected human microglial HMC3 cells from Aβ25-35-induced cytotoxicity, reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) while enhancing IL-10 secretion. These effects were associated with a reduced activation of the NF-κB pathway, which emerged as a central mediator of BCP action.

Notably, the use of CB2R- or PPARγ-selective antagonists revealed that the observed NF-κB inhibition by BCP may involve the coordinated activation of both canonical (e.g., CB2R) and non-canonical (e.g., PPARγ) receptors. Moreover, BCP restored the expression of SIRT1, PGC-1α, and BDNF, indicating the involvement of neurotrophic pathways.

Clear neuroprotective properties for BCP have been highlighted in Aβ1-42-treated brain slice preparations, where BCP demonstrated the rescue of both the amyloid-dependent depression of BDNF expression and long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) impairment.

Overall, our results suggest that BCP constitutes an attractive natural molecule for the treatment of Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction, warranting further exploration for its clinical application.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40649806/

“In conclusion, the results of our study suggest a pleiotropic mechanism of action for the development of BCP neuroprotective effects in relation to amyloid-induced neuroinflammation and synaptic impairment, encouraging further investigations into an in vivo model of amyloid-dependent cognitive damage to clarify the exact mechanism of action of BCP and confirm whether this natural molecule may represent a novel option for the treatment of NDDs.

Furthermore, the potent anti-inflammatory effects exerted by BCP through the interaction of CB2 and PPARγ receptors support the therapeutic potential of BCP in a broad range of conditions, including neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, neuropathic pain, and cancer. Taking into consideration the safety of BCP in humans, dietary use, and its efficacy in various experimental models of disease, BCP may be further explored as co-supplementary drug in experimental studies.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/13/6027

“β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a common constitute of the essential oils of numerous spice, food plants and major component in Cannabis.”   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23138934

“Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18574142

Cannabidiol mitigates alcohol dependence and withdrawal with neuroprotective effects in the basolateral amygdala and striatum

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“Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a pervasive public health issue with limited effective treatments. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic constituent of cannabis, shows promise in modulating addictive behaviors.

This study investigated the effects of chronic CBD administration on alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and neurodegeneration using two complementary rodent models: chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure, which models established alcohol dependence, and ethanol vapor self-administration (EVSA), which captures the volitional aspects of alcohol intake. In the CIE model, CBD reduced alcohol self-administration during acute withdrawal without affecting alcohol metabolism or locomotor activity.

CBD decreased motivation for alcohol, somatic withdrawal signs, withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors, and mechanical sensitivity. During extinction, CBD attenuated alcohol-seeking behavior and stress-induced reinstatement. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that CBD reversed alcohol-induced decreases in neuronal excitability in the basolateral amygdala, suggesting a mechanism involving normalization of neural function. In the EVSA model, CBD reduced voluntary alcohol intake during the escalation phase, impacting voluntary alcohol intake. This effect was specific to alcohol-related behaviors, as it did not affect saccharin self-administration.

Immunohistochemical analyses showed that CBD prevented alcohol-induced neurodegeneration in the nucleus accumbens shell and dorsomedial striatum, regions implicated in the volitional control of alcohol consumption. These findings indicate that chronic CBD administration attenuates both behavioral and neurobiological facets of alcohol dependence by modulating neuronal excitability and preventing neurodegeneration, supporting its therapeutic potential for AUD and providing mechanistic insights for future research.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40640509/

“In conclusion, chronic CBD administration mitigates key behavioral and neurobiological features of alcohol dependence by reducing withdrawal symptoms, lowering relapse risk, restoring BLA neuronal excitability, and preventing neurodegeneration in striatal regions. Together, these findings highlight CBD’s capacity to preserve functional integrity in neural circuits underlying emotional regulation, reward processing, and habit formation.”

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02164-6