Cannabis and Cannabis Edibles: A Review

Rapid analysis of Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol in Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol edibles by Ag(I) paper spray mass spectrometry after simple extraction

Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products are increasingly popular despite uncertainties regarding their legality and safety. Based on the hypothesis that unique double-stage tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) and triple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (MS3) fragments would allow unambiguous identification of cannabinoids, a simple and rapid method was developed for the differentiation of Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, and cannabidiol (CBD) within 1 min. This approach combines methanol extraction and silver(I)-impregnated paper spray mass spectrometry (AgPS-MS) for the analysis of Δ8-THC products. Extraction recovery exceeded 85 % for all three cannabinoids from Δ8-THC edibles, with acceptable matrix effects observed in both brownie and vape oil samples. The Δ9-THC:Δ8-THC ratios in acid-treated cannabidiol mixtures were quantified with results comparable to GC-FID method (0 to -11 % deviation). Analysis of commercial Δ8-THC products revealed four contained illegal Δ9-THC levels (> 0.3 %) and all contained various other THC isomers, e.g., Δ8-iso-THC, Δ(4)8-iso-THC, or Δ3-THC. This method offers a reliable solution for Δ8-THC product screening.

Effects of different methods of cannabis use on cognition and blood THC: A systematic review

Novel methods of cannabis use are becoming popular, but the differential impact of these new methods on cognition have not been widely studied. Further, the impact of cannabis on cognition is mediated by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but few studies have directly compared the pharmacokinetics of different methods. This systematic review (PROSPERO, CRD42023442731) was conducted to determine whether the different forms of cannabis and routes of administration have differential acute effects on cognition or blood THC. In total, six studies were found that directly compared the effects of at least two different methods of cannabis administration on cognition and eight studies compared the impact of different methods on blood THC. In general, few differences between methods were found on cognitive performance but two studies found some evidence for worse performance on attention tasks after vaping cannabis versus edibles or smoked cannabis. One study found worse performance on a memory task in participants who smoked high potency flower with cannabidiol compared to a group of concentrates users. Despite this, the clear consensus is that inhaled routes of administration result in higher peak levels of THC, while edible cannabis has a longer duration of action. Additionally, one study found an inverse correlation between blood THC and cognition. Given that THC levels are used to detect impairment, this suggests that the ability to detect impairment may vary by method, with edibles presenting more of a challenge. More studies are needed to understand the effects of these newer methods of cannabis administration on performance and blood THC.

The Regulatory Environment Surrounding Cannabis Medicines in the EU, the USA, and Australia

Background/Objectives: Recent evidence supporting the medicinal use of cannabis has brought significant regulatory changes regarding its legal status, cultivation, and use. Several countries have adopted regulatory strategies enabling access to cannabis-based medicinal products; however, the regulation and availability of high-quality cannabis products differs globally. This work aimed to explore the regulatory pathways available for cannabis-based medicinal products, particularly those regulated as medicines, and establish the current landscape of those approved. Methods: The public repositories of the European Medicines Agency, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Therapeutic Goods Administration were searched. A consumer website, Amazon, was searched to provide illustrative examples of cannabis products readily available to consumers. Finally, clinical trial data were collected to evaluate trends in medicinal cannabis research. Results: Only Epidyolex™ has been approved by these three agencies. Whilst topical cannabinoid consumer products are popular, no topical cannabis-based medicines have been approved by regulators, despite being the focus of several clinical trials. There are few regulator-approved cannabis-based medicines available and, evidence supporting the therapeutic use of consumer products is very limited. A complex regulatory and legislative scenario hinders research on and development of cannabis-based medicines, leaving a market gap filled with unregulated products that are potentially misleading regarding their therapeutic claims.

The major phytocannabinoids, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), affect the function of CatSper calcium channels in human sperm

STUDY QUESTION

Do the main psychoactive phytocannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its non-psychoactive analog cannabidiol (CBD) affect human sperm function?

SUMMARY ANSWER

THC and CBD affect the sperm-specific Ca2+ channel CatSper, suppress activation of the channel by progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), and THC also alters human sperm function in vitro.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs worldwide. Although the effects of phytocannabinoids on semen parameters have been studied, there is no evidence of a direct impact of THC and CBD on human sperm.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

We investigated the effects of the major psychoactive phytocannabinoid, THC, its non-psychoactive analog, CBD, and their major metabolites on Ca2+ influx via CatSper in human spermatozoa. THC and CBD were selected to further evaluate their action on P4-, PGE1-, and pH-induced activation of CatSper. The effects of THC and CBD on sperm motility, penetration into viscous media, and acrosome reaction (AR) were also assessed.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

The effects of phytocannabinoids on CatSper activity were investigated on semen samples from healthy volunteers and men with homozygous deletion of the CATSPER2 gene using kinetic Ca2+ fluorimetry and patch-clamp recordings. Motility was assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Sperm penetration into viscous media was assessed using a modified Kremer test. The AR was evaluated by flow cytometry using Pisum sativum agglutinin-stained spermatozoa.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Both THC and CBD increased the intracellular calcium concentration with CBD inducing a greater increase compared to THC. These Ca2+ signals were abolished in men with homozygous deletion of the CATSPER2 gene demonstrating that they are mediated through CatSper. THC suppressed the P4- and the PGE1-induced Ca2+ increase with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.88 ± 1.15 µM and 0.98 ± 1.10, respectively. CBD also suppressed the P4- and PGE1-induced Ca2+ signal with an IC50 of 2.47 ± 1.12 µM and 6.14 ± 1.08 µM, respectively. The P4 and PGE1 responses were also suppressed by THC and CBD metabolites, yet with greatly reduced potency and/or efficacy. THC and CBD were found to inhibit the Ca2+ influx evoked by intracellular alkalization via NH4Cl, with THC featuring a higher potency compared to CBD. In conclusion, THC and CBD inhibit both the ligand-dependent and -independent activation of CatSper in a dose-dependent manner. This indicates that these phytocannabinoids are genuine CatSper inhibitors rather than P4 and PGE1 antagonists. Finally, THC, but not CBD, impaired sperm hyperactivation and penetration into viscous media and induced a small increase in AR.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Future studies are needed to assess whether cannabis consumption can affect fertility since this study was in vitro.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The action of THC and CBD on CatSper in human sperm may interfere with the fertilization process, but the impact on fertility remains to be elucidated. THC inhibits the P4 and the PGE1 response more potently than CBD and most previously described CatSper inhibitors. THC can be used as a starting point for the development of non-hormonal contraceptives targeting CatSper.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by the Swiss Center for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), the Département de l'Instruction Publique (DIP) of the State of Geneva and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation). The authors declare that no conflicts of interest have been identified that might affect the impartiality of the research reported.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Association of driving with blood delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: a systematic review

IMPORTANCE

Driving under the influence of cannabis increases the risk of motor vehicle collisions. In some jurisdictions, deterrence rests on the ability to detect delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood. Recent evidence suggests that there may be a nuanced relationship of blood THC to driving.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize all published papers investigating the presence of a linear relationship between blood THC and driving, primarily measured by simulated driving in the lab.

OUTCOMES

The main outcomes assessed included "weaving"/lateral control (eg, standard deviation of lateral position), speed, car following (following distance; coherence), reaction time, and overall driving performance.

RESULTS

Of the 4845 records from the literature search, only 12 met the inclusion criteria. Ten of these reported no significant linear correlations between blood THC and measures of driving (8 out of 9 for "weaving"/lateral control, 4 out of 5 for speed, 2 of 3 for car following tasks (coherence/headway maintenance task), 1/1 for reaction time, 3/3 for overall driving performance). The studies that did find an association between driving and blood THC employed complex driving situations.

CONCLUSIONS

This synthesis has important implications for road safety given driving situations can be complex due to challenging road situations and increases in potency of cannabis over the past years. Current methods of detection of impairment may be suited to some types of situations but more large-scale studies on the relationship of blood THC and driving are needed that systematically vary driving complexity and cannabis potency.

The marijuana, cannabinoids, and female reproductive system

The marijuana is considered as widely used recreational illicit drug that has become popular among women of reproductive age. It is believed that the marijuana use may have negative impacts on the female fertility. However, the exact mechanisms of its reproductive toxicity remain unclear. The studies suggest that the exogenous cannabinoids may interfere with endocannabinoid system and disrupt hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis. Consequently, it impacts the female fertility by disruption of normal secretion of ovarian sex hormones and menstrual cycles. However, other studies have shown that medical marijuana is useful analgesic agent for pain management. But, given that the wide range of cannabinoids side effects are reported, it seems that caution should be taken in the recreational use of these substances. In summary, this article aimed to review the possible impacts of marijuana and its derivatives on the main female reproductive organs and embryonic growth and development.

Chemical Composition of Aerosols from the E-Cigarette Vaping of Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids

Vaping cannabinoids in electronic (e)-cigarette devices is rapidly increasing in popularity, particularly among adolescents, although the chemistry affecting the composition of the vape aerosol is not well understood. This work investigates the formation of aerosol mass, bioactive hydroxyquinones, and harmful or potentially harmful carbonyls from the e-cigarette vaping of natural and synthetic cannabinoids e-liquids in propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin (PG/VG) solvent at a 50 mg/mL concentration in a commercial fourth-generation vaping device. The following cannabinoids were studied: cannabidiol (CBD), 8,9-dihydrocannabidiol (H2CBD), 1,2,8,9-tetrahydrocannabidiol (H4CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). Quantification of analytes was performed using liquid chromatography coupled to accurate mass spectrometry. The addition of cannabinoids significantly increased aerosol and carbonyl formation compared with the PG/VG solvent alone. All cannabinoids in the study formed hydroxyquinones during vaping (up to ∼1% mass conversion) except for CBDA, which primarily decarboxylated to CBD. Hydroxyquinone formation increased and carbonyl formation decreased, with a decreasing number of double bonds among CBD and its synthetic analogues (H2CBD and H4CBD). During the vaping process, ∼3-6% of the cannabinoid mass can be observed as carbonyls under the study conditions. Oxidation of the terpene moiety on the cannabinoids is proposed as a major contributor to carbonyl formation. CBD produced significantly higher concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl, and methylglyoxal compared with the other cannabinoid samples. CBG produced significantly higher levels of acetone, methacrolein, and methylglyoxal. Conversion of CBD to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was not observed under the study conditions. The chemical mechanism basis for these observations is discussed. Compared with other modalities of use for CBD and other cannabinoids, vaping has the potential to adversely impact human health by producing harmful products during the heated aerosolization process.

Grafting of Cannabis - The effect of the rootstock on vegetative and reproductive indices of the scion

Among the commercial cannabis varieties, some are high yielders but characterized by a relatively poor root system. Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil, enabling vegetative development that directly affects yield, as vigorous plants have more resources to support reproduction. Moreover, healthy foliage is a primary key to high assimilation rates, leading to better production of photosynthetic products, including cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the main active components of cannabis. We grafted a high-THC variety, named 'Freud Super-Ego' (FSE) onto three chemotypes of rootstocks: high-THC (T), high-CBD (C), and Balanced (B). All the rootstocks had significantly greater root biomass compared to FSE. All the grafting treatments significantly improved FSE's vegetative indices and yield. The best overall vegetative performance - height, stem circumference, number of mature leaves - was that of plants grafted onto the Balanced and high-CBD rootstocks, resulting in high yields as well. However, the greatest number of inflorescences was counted when FSE was grafted onto a high-THC rootstock. According to leaf mineral content analysis, the highest nitrogen and phosphorus levels were found in leaves of FSE grafted on the balanced rootstock. The cannabinoid content profile analysis revealed that all grafting treatments raised the THC level in FSE's inflorescences by 8-12 % in comparison to the non-grafted control, and the THC rootstock led to the highest THC level. The results indicate the importance of grafting in cannabis as a tool to increase the productivity and quality of the product.

An Overview of the Mechanisms through Which Plants Regulate ROS Homeostasis under Cadmium Stress

Cadmium (Cd2+) is a non-essential and highly toxic element to all organic life forms, including plants and humans. In response to Cd stress, plants have evolved multiple protective mechanisms, such as Cd2+ chelation, vesicle sequestration, the regulation of Cd2+ uptake, and enhanced antioxidant defenses. When Cd2+ accumulates in plants to a certain level, it triggers a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to chlorosis, growth retardation, and potentially death. To counteract this, plants utilize a complex network of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems to manage ROS and protect cells from oxidative damage. This review systematically summarizes how various elements, including nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and zinc, as well as phytohormones such as abscisic acid, auxin, brassinosteroids, and ethylene, and signaling molecules like nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen sulfide, regulate the antioxidant system under Cd stress. Furthermore, it explores the mechanisms by which exogenous regulators can enhance the antioxidant capacity and mitigate Cd toxicity.

Tea Prepared from Dried Cannabis: What Do We Drink?

Besides many other uses, dried Cannabis may be used for "tea" preparation. This study focused on a comprehensive characterization of an aqueous infusion prepared according to a common practice from three fairly different Cannabis cultivars. The transfer of 42 phytocannabinoids and 12 major bioactive compounds (flavonoids) into the infusion was investigated using UHPLC-HRMS/MS. Phytocannabinoid acids were transferred generally in a higher extent compared to their counterparts; in the case of Δ9-THC, it was only in the range of 0.4-1.9% of content in the Cannabis used. A dramatic increase of phytocannabinoids, mainly of the neutral species, occurred when cream was added during steeping, and the transfer of Δ9-THC into "tea" achieved a range of 53-64%. Under such conditions, drinking a 250 mL cup of such tea by a 70 kg person might lead to multiple exceedance of the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD), 1 μg/kg b.w., even in the case when using hemp with a Δ9-THC content below 1% in dry weight for preparation.

Cannabis-infused foods: Phytonutrients, health, and safe product innovations

Cannabis-infused foods are currently on the rise in markets all around the world. Meanwhile, there are concerns over the health implications for consumers. Studies have explored the therapeutic potential and nutritional and economic benefits of cannabis usage. Yet, the phytonutrients, processing methods, and health implications of cannabis-infused foods have not been well explored. This review evaluates existing evidence on the nutritional, processing, safety, and phytonutrient composition of cannabis-infused food products and their medicinal and functional prospects. Cannabis seeds contain the highest amount of dietary nutrients, while flowers contain the highest amount of bioactive constituents. Oils, butter, seeds, flowers, and leaf extracts are the plant forms currently incorporated into food products such as beverages, baked products, cooking ingredients, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and nootropics. Cannabis-infused foods have been found to offer therapeutic benefits for pain management, brain function, gut health, and certain cancers. Findings also show significant constraints associated with cannabis-infused foods regarding dosage guidelines, limited research, efficacy, and long-term health effects on consumers. This is further worsened by the lack of policies that regulate the industry. To realize the full potential of cannabis use in the food and health industries and in research, regulatory guidelines are needed to control dosages and improve its efficient use in these industries. This will go a long way to ensure the safety of cannabis users and enhance responsible production, marketing, and distribution.

CBD oil by-product (Hemp flakes): Evaluation for nutritional composition, heavy metals and functionality as a food ingredient

Background

The recent interest among consumers in industrial hemp due to health and wellness benefits has led to several products from industrial hemp, including cannabidiol (CBD) oil. CBD oil extraction from hemp buds and flowers generates by-product biomass (hemp flakes), often posing disposal challenges and with little or no applications. We hypothesized that hemp flakes possess residual compounds with nutritional and health value that could be used to improve utilization.

Methods

Locally sourced hemp flakes were compared to three commercial hemp protein products. The nutritional composition (proximate analysis), heavy metals (Al, Cu, As, Pb, Co, Cd), and functional composition (phenolic and antioxidant properties-total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoid compounds (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)), (CBD, cannabiodiolic acid-CBDA, cannabichromene-CBC, cannabigerol-CBG, and cannabinol-CBN) contents were determined and compared.

Findings

Hemp flakes had a similar nutritional composition to commercial hemp protein products, with heavy metal levels within FDA allowed limits. The by-product had significantly higher CBDA levels than commercial products. Overall, hemp flakes had comparable nutrient composition and antioxidant capabilities. Based on the protein composition of hemp flakes (31.62 %) versus the highest commercial product (43 %), hemp flakes are an acceptable functional food ingredient.

FeONPs alleviate cadmium toxicity in Solanum melongena through improved morpho-anatomical and physiological attributes, along with oxidative stress and antioxidant defense regulations

In this study, various constraints of Cd toxicity on growth, morpho-anatomical characters along with physiological and biochemical metabolic processes of Solanum melongena L. plants were analyzed. Conversely, ameliorative role of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) was examined against Cd stress. For this purpose, the following treatments were applied in completely randomized fashion; 3 mM CdCl2 solution applied with irrigation water, 40 and 80 ppm solutions of FeONPs applied via foliar spray. Regarding the results, Cd caused oxidative damage to plants' photosynthetic machinery, resulting in elevated levels of stress-markers like malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolytic leakage (EL) along with slight increase in antioxidants activities, including glutathione (GsH), ascorbate (AsA), catalases (CAT), peroxidases (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidases (APX). Also, high Cd level in plants disturb ions homeostasis and reduced essential minerals uptake, including Ca and K. This ultimately reduced growth and development of S. melongena plants. In contrast, FeONPs supplementations improved antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) defenses which in turn limited ROS generation and lowered the oxidative damage to photosynthetic machinery. Furthermore, it maintained ionic balance resulting in enhanced uptake of Ca and K nutrients which are necessary for photosynthesis, hence also improved photosynthesis rate of S. melongena plants. Overall, FeONPs foliar spray effectively mitigated Cd toxicity imposed on S. melongena plants.

Associations between Cannabis Consumption Methods and Cannabis Risk Perception

Given diversified cannabis products, we examined associations between cannabis consumption methods and cannabis risk perception of smoking cannabis 1-2 times a week. Using the 2022 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health data (N = 12,796 past-year adult cannabis users; M = 6127 and F = 6669), we used multinomial and binary logistic regression models. Smoking was the most prevalent method, followed by eating/drinking, vaping, and dabbing. One-half of cannabis users reported no perceived risk of smoking cannabis 1-2 times a week, 37.5% perceived slight risk, 9.2% moderate risk, and 2.9% great risk. Those with moderate or great risk perception had a lower likelihood of using 4+ methods of consumption (e.g., RRR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.20, 0.77 for great risk perception). Any perceived risk was associated with higher odds of edibles/drinks only (e.g., aOR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.43, 5.54 for great risk perception). Along with medical use and CUD, sociodemographic factors, mental illness, and other substance use were also significant correlates of cannabis consumption methods. Understanding the varying risk perceptions associated with different consumption methods is needed for harm reduction initiatives. More research is needed on cannabis products, particularly edibles/drinks and dabs/concentrates, to better understand the potential risks associated with them.

Metabolic, toxicological, chemical, and commercial perspectives on esterification of dietary polyphenols: a review

Molecular modifications have been practiced for more than a century and nowadays they are widely applied in food, pharmaceutical, or other industries to manipulate the physicochemical, bioactivity, metabolic/catabolic, and pharmacokinetic properties. Among various structural modifications, the esterification/O-acylation has been well-established in altering lipophilicity and bioactivity of parent bioactive compounds, especially natural polyphenolics, while maintaining their high biocompatibility. Meanwhile, various classic chemical and enzymatic protocols and other recently emerged cell factory technology are being employed as viable esterification strategies. In this contribution, the main motivations of phenolic esterification, including the tendency to replace synthetic alkyl phenolics with safer alternatives in the food industry to improve the bioavailability of phenolics as dietary supplements/pharmaceuticals, are discussed. In addition, the toxicity, metabolism, and commercial application of synthetic and natural phenolics are briefly introduced. Under these contexts, the mechanisms and reaction features of several most prevalent chemical and enzymatic esterification pathways are demonstrated. In addition, insights into the studies of esterification modification of natural phenolic compounds and specific pros/cons of various reaction systems with regard to their practical application are provided.

Chemical Composition of Commercial Cannabis

Cannabis is widely used for medicinal and recreational purposes. As a result, there is increased interest in its chemical components and their physiological effects. However, current information on cannabis chemistry is often outdated or scattered across many books and journals. To address this issue, we used modern metabolomics techniques and modern bioinformatics techniques to compile a comprehensive list of >6000 chemical constituents in commercial cannabis. The metabolomics methods included a combination of high- and low-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS), gas chromatography-MS, and inductively coupled plasma-MS. The bioinformatics methods included computer-aided text mining and computational genome-scale metabolic inference. This information, along with detailed compound descriptions, physicochemical data, known physiological effects, protein targets, and referential compound spectra, has been made available through a publicly accessible database called the Cannabis Compound Database (https://cannabisdatabase.ca). Such a centralized, open-access resource should prove to be quite useful for the cannabis community.

Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Mitigate Cadmium Toxicity: Mechanisms and Future Prospects

Cadmium (Cd), as the most prevalent heavy metal contaminant poses serious risks to plants, humans, and the environment. The ubiquity of this toxic metal is continuously increasing due to the rapid discharge of industrial and mining effluents and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a novel strategy to alleviate Cd toxicity. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have become the most important NPs used to mitigate the toxicity of abiotic stresses and improve crop productivity. The plants quickly absorb Cd, which subsequently disrupts plant physiological and biochemical processes and increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes the oxidation of cellular structures and significant growth losses. Besides this, Cd toxicity also disrupts leaf osmotic pressure, nutrient uptake, membrane stability, chlorophyll synthesis, and enzyme activities, leading to a serious reduction in growth and biomass productivity. Though plants possess an excellent defense mechanism to counteract Cd toxicity, this is not enough to counter higher concentrations of Cd toxicity. Applying Zn-NPs has proven to have significant potential in mitigating the toxic effects of Cd. ZnO-NPs improve chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, membrane stability, nutrient uptake, and gene expression, which can help to counter toxic effects of Cd stress. Additionally, ZnO-NPs also help to reduce Cd absorption and accumulation in plants, and the complex relationship between ZnO-NPs, osmolytes, hormones, and secondary metabolites plays an important role in Cd tolerance. Thus, this review concentrates on exploring the diverse mechanisms by which ZnO nanoparticles can alleviate Cd toxicity in plants. In the end, this review has identified various research gaps that need addressing to ensure the promising future of ZnO-NPs in mitigating Cd toxicity. The findings of this review contribute to gaining a deeper understanding of the role of ZnO-NPs in combating Cd toxicity to promote safer and sustainable crop production by remediating Cd-polluted soils. This also allows for the development of eco-friendly approaches to remediate Cd-polluted soils to improve soil fertility and environmental quality.

Recent Advanced Methods for Extracting and Analyzing Cannabinoids from Cannabis-Infused Edibles and Detecting Hemp-Derived Contaminants in Food (2013-2023): A Comprehensive Review

Cannabis-infused edibles are food products infused with a cannabis extract. These edibles include baked goods, candies, and beverages, offering an alternative way to consume cannabis instead of smoking or vaporizing it. Ensuring the accurate detection of cannabis-infused edibles and identification of any contaminants is crucial for public health and safety. This is particularly important for compliance with legal regulations as these substances can have significant psychoactive effects, especially on unsuspecting consumers such as children or individuals with certain medical conditions. Using efficient extraction methods can greatly improve detection accuracy, ensuring that the concentration of cannabinoids in edibles is measured correctly and adheres to dosage guidelines and legal limits. This review comprehensively examines the preparation and extraction techniques for cannabinoid edibles. It covers methods such as solid-phase extraction, enhanced matrix removal-lipid, QuEChERS, dissolution and dispersion techniques, liquid-phase extraction, and other emerging methodologies along with analytical techniques for cannabinoid analysis. The main analytical techniques employed for the determination of cannabinoids include liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC), direct analysis in real time (DART), and mass spectrometry (MS). The application of these extraction and analytical techniques is further demonstrated through their use in analyzing specific edible samples, including oils, candies, beverages, solid coffee and tea, snacks, pet food, and contaminated products.

Effect of Organic Acid-Aided Extraction on Characteristics and Functional Properties of Pectin from Cannabis sativa L

The extraction of cannabinoids from the inflorescence and leaves of Cannabis sativa L. is gaining interest from researchers, in addition to addressing the under-utilization of the by-products in the stems and roots of the trees. The present study investigated the recovery of pectin from the left-over parts of hemp tress using an eco-friendly method with the aid of organic acids. Different cannabis cultivars-Chalotte's Angels (CHA) and Hang-Krarog (HKR)-were used as plant materials. The stems of both cannabis cultivars contained more pectin than the roots, and tartaric acid-aided extraction provided higher yields than from citric acid. Extracting the acid solution affected some characteristics, thereby differentiating the functional properties of the derived pectin. Extraction using tartaric acid provided pectin with a higher galacturonic acid content, whereas pectin with a higher methylation degree could be prepared using citric acid. The pectin samples extracted from the stems of CHA (P-CHA) and HKR (P-HKR) had low methoxyl pectin. P-CHA had better free radical scavenging capability, whereas P-HKR showed more potent reducibility. Considering the functional properties, P-CHA showed greater emulsion formability and foaming activity, whereas P-HKR possessed a better thickening effect. The present work suggests the feasible utilization of P-CHA and P-HKR as food additives with bioactivity.

Comprehensive cannabinoid profiling of acid-treated CBD samples and Δ8-THC-infused edibles

Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) is increasingly popular as a controversial substitute for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in cannabinoid-infused edibles. Δ8-THC is prepared from cannabidiol (CBD) by treatment with acids. Side products including Δ9-THC and other isomers that might end up in Δ8-THC edibles are less studied. In this paper, three orthogonal methods, namely reversed-phase (RP)-UHPLC-DAD/HRMS, normal-phase/argentation (silica-Ag(I))-HPLC-DAD/MS, and GC-FID/MS were developed for analysis of cannabinoid isomers, namely Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, CBD, Δ8-iso-THC, Δ(4)8-iso-THC, and hydrated THC isomers. Eight acid-treated CBD mixtures contained various amounts of Δ8-THC (0-89%, w/w%), high levels of Δ9-THC (up to 49%), Δ8-isoTHC (up to 55%), Δ(4)8-iso-THC (up to 17%), and three hydrated THC isomers. Commercial Δ8-THC gummies were also analyzed, and issues like overclaimed Δ8-THC, excessive Δ9-THC, undeclared Δ8-iso-THC, and Δ(4)8-iso-THC were found. These findings highlight the urgency of improving regulations towards converting CBD to Δ8-THC for use as food ingredients.

Comparative Study of Gas and Liquid Chromatography Methods for the Determination of Underivatised Neutral and Acidic Cannabinoids and Cholesterol

The aim of our study was to develop a gas chromatographic method coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the determination of underivatised neutral (CBDs-N) and acidic (CBDs-A) cannabinoids (CBDs) and cholesterol (Chol). Emphasis was also placed on comparing our original GC-MS method with the currently developed C18-high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode detection (C18-HPLC-DAD). A combination of a long GC column, shallow temperature column programme, and mass-spectrometry was employed to avoid issues arising from the overlap between CBDs and Chol and background fluctuations. The pre-column procedure for CBDs and Chol in egg yolks consisted of hexane extractions, whereas the pre-column procedure for CBDs in non-animal samples involved methanol and hexane extractions. CBDs-A underwent decarboxylation to CBDs during GC-MS analyses, and pre-column extraction of the processed sample with NaOH solution allowed for CBD-A removal. No losses of CBDs-N were observed in the samples extracted with NaOH solution. GC-MS analyses of the samples before and after extraction with NaOH solution enabled the quantification of CBDs-A and CBDs-N. CBDs-A did not undergo decarboxylation to CBDs-N during C18-HPLC-DAD runs. The use of the C18-HPLC-DAD method allowed simultaneous determination of CBDs-N and CBDs-A. In comparison to the C18-HPLC-DAD method, our GC-MS technique offered improved sensitivity, precision, specificity, and satisfactory separation of underivatised CBDs and Chol from biological materials of endogenous species, especially in hemp and hen egg yolk. The scientific novelty of the present study is the application of the GC-MS method for quantifying underivatised CBDs-A, CBDs-N, and Chol in the samples of interest.

Evaluating the Metabolomic Profile and Anti-Pathogenic Properties of Cannabis Species

The Cannabis species is one of the potent ancient medicinal plants acclaimed for its medicinal properties and recreational purposes. The plant parts are used and exploited all over the world for several agricultural and industrial applications. For many years Cannabis spp. has proven to present a highly diverse metabolomic profile with a pool of bioactive metabolites used for numerous pharmacological purposes ranging from anti-inflammatory to antimicrobial. Cannabis sativa has since been an extensive subject of investigation, monopolizing the research. Hence, there are fewer studies with a comprehensive understanding of the composition of bioactive metabolites grown in different environmental conditions, especially C. indica and a few other Cannabis strains. These pharmacological properties are mostly attributed to a few phytocannabinoids and some phytochemicals such as terpenoids or essential oils which have been tested for antimicrobial properties. Many other discovered compounds are yet to be tested for antimicrobial properties. These phytochemicals have a series of useful properties including anti-insecticidal, anti-acaricidal, anti-nematicidal, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. Research studies have reported excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria as well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although there has been an extensive investigation on the antimicrobial properties of Cannabis, the antimicrobial properties of Cannabis on phytopathogens and aquatic animal pathogens, mostly those affecting fish, remain under-researched. Therefore, the current review intends to investigate the existing body of research on metabolomic profile and anti-microbial properties whilst trying to expand the scope of the properties of the Cannabis plant to benefit the health of other animal species and plant crops, particularly in agriculture.

Oral Cannabis consumption and intraperitoneal THC:CBD dosing results in changes in brain and plasma neurochemicals and endocannabinoids in mice

BACKGROUND

While the use of orally consumed Cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing products, i.e. "edibles", has expanded, the health consequences are still largely unknown. This study examines the effects of oral consumption of whole Cannabis and a complex Cannabis extract on neurochemicals, endocannabinoids (eCB), and physiological parameters (body temperature, heart rate) in mice.

METHODS

In this pilot study, C57BL/6 J mice were treated with one of the following every other day for 2 weeks: a complex Cannabis extract by gavage, whole Cannabis mixed with nutritional gel through free feeding, or purified THC/CBD by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Treatments were conducted at 4 doses ranging from 0-100 mg/kg/day of CBD with THC levels of ≤ 1.2 mg/kg/day for free feeding and gavage and 10 mg/kg/day for i.p. Body temperature and heart rate were monitored using surgically implanted telemetry devices. Levels of neurochemicals, eCB, THC, CBD, and 11-OH-THC were measured using mass spectrometry 48 h after the final treatment. Statistical comparisons were conducted using ANOVA and t-tests.

RESULTS

Differences were found between neurochemicals in the brains and plasma of mice treated by i.p. (e.g. dopamine, p < 0.01), gavage (e.g., phenylalanine, p < 0.05) and in mice receiving whole Cannabis (e.g., 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic DOPAC p < 0.05). Tryptophan trended downward or was significantly decreased in the brain and/or plasma of all mice receiving Cannabis or purified CBD/THC, regardless of dose, compared to controls. Levels of the eCB, arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) were decreased in mice receiving lowest doses of a complex Cannabis extract by gavage, but were higher in mice receiving highest doses compared to controls (p < 0.05). Plasma and brain levels of THC and 11-OH-THC were higher in mice receiving 1:1 THC:CBD by i.p. compared to those receiving 1:5 or 1:10 THC:CBD. Nominal changes in body temperature and heart rate following acute and repeated exposures were seen to some degree in all treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes to neurochemicals and eCBs were apparent at all doses regardless of treatment type. Levels of neurochemicals seemed to vary based on the presence of a complex Cannabis extract, suggesting a non-linear response between THC and neurochemicals following repeated oral dosing.

Comparison of perceptions in Canada and USA regarding cannabis and edibles

BACKGROUND

Canada took a national approach to recreational cannabis that resulted in official legalization on October 17, 2018. In the United States (US), the approach has been more piecemeal, with individual states passing their own laws regulating adult use. The objective of this study was to compare the two jurisdictions.

METHODS

Two exploratory, quantitative surveys were administered in May of 2021 in both Canada and the US. One thousand forty-seven Canadian and 1037 US residents (age 19 and older) were surveyed on approaches to and attendant regulations of consumer cannabis. Tests of significance were performed to analyze differences between two groups.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences exist between the two countries in terms of cannabis legalization acceptance. Usage rates among adults was similar with 45% of Canadians and 42% of Americans confirming they consume cannabis. Respondents maintain that they intend to increase their usage, with edibles attracting a rising level of interest from consumers.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that public policy in both Canada and the USA needs to change to reflect rapidly evolving acceptance of cannabis products in North America to realize potential economic returns.

Cannabis as a Source of Approved Drugs: A New Look at an Old Problem

Cannabis plants have been used in medicine since ancient times. They are well known for their anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal activities. A growing body of evidence indicates that targeting the endocannabinoid system and various other receptors with cannabinoid compounds holds great promise for addressing multiple medical conditions. There are two distinct avenues in the development of cannabinoid-based drugs. The first involves creating treatments directly based on the components of the cannabis plant. The second involves a singular molecule strategy, in which specific phytocannabinoids or newly discovered cannabinoids with therapeutic promise are pinpointed and synthesized for future pharmaceutical development and validation. Although the therapeutic potential of cannabis is enormous, few cannabis-related approved drugs exist, and this avenue warrants further investigation. With this in mind, we review here the medicinal properties of cannabis, its phytochemicals, approved drugs of natural and synthetic origin, pitfalls on the way to the widespread clinical use of cannabis, and additional applications of cannabis-related products.

Characterization of the Chemopreventive Properties of Cannabis sativa L. Inflorescences from Monoecious Cultivars Grown in Central Italy

Hemp bioproducts hold great promise as valuable materials for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications due to their diverse bioactive compounds and potential health benefits. In line with this interest and in an attempt to valorize the Lazio Region crops, this present study investigated chemically characterized hydroalcoholic and organic extracts, obtained from the inflorescences of locally cultivated Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties. In order to highlight the possible chemopreventive power of the tested samples, a bioactivity screening was performed, which included studying the antimutagenic activity, radical scavenging power, cytotoxicity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and modulation of the oxidative stress parameters and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) involved in the regulation of the cell transformation and cancer proliferation. Tolerability studies in noncancerous H69 cholangiocytes were performed, too. The organic extracts showed moderate to strong antimutagenic activities and a marked cytotoxicity in the HepG2 cells, associated with an increased oxidative stress and LDH release, and to a G6PDH modulation. The hydroalcoholic extracts mainly exhibited radical scavenging properties with weak or null activities in the other assays. The extracts were usually well-tolerated in H69 cells, except for the highest concentrations which impaired cell viability, likely due to an increased oxidative stress. The obtained results suggest a possibility in the inflorescences from the Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties as source of bioactive compounds endowed with genoprotective and chemopreventive properties that could be harnessed as preventive or adjuvant healing strategies.

Phytocannabinoids: Pharmacological effects, biomedical applications, and worldwide prospection

Scientific evidence exists about the association between neurological diseases (i.e., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, depression, and memory loss) and oxidative damage. The increasing worldwide incidence of such diseases is attracting the attention of researchers to find palliative medications to reduce the symptoms and promote quality of life, in particular, in developing countries, e.g., South America and Africa. Among potential alternatives, extracts of Cannabis Sativa L. are suitable for people who have neurological disorders, spasticity, and pain, nausea, resulting from diseases such as cancer and arthritis. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in the use of Cannabis, its subtypes and constituents, extraction methods, and relevant pharmacological effects. Biomedical applications, marketed products, and prospects for the worldwide use of Cannabis Sativa L. extracts are also discussed, providing the bibliometric maps of scientific literature published in representative countries from South America (i.e., Brazil) and Africa (i.e., South Africa). A lack of evidence on the effectiveness and safety of Cannabis, besides the concerns about addiction and other adverse events, has led many countries to act with caution before changing Cannabis-related regulations. Recent findings are expected to increase the social acceptance of Cannabis, while new technologies seem to boost the global cannabis market because the benefits of (-)-trans-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) use have been proven in several studies in addition to the potential to general new employment.

The pharmacology and therapeutic role of cannabidiol in diabetes

In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, has garnered substantial interest in drug development due to its broad pharmacological activity and multi-target effects. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that can damage multiple organs in the body, leading to the development of complications such as abnormal kidney function, vision loss, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. CBD has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in treating diabetes mellitus and its complications owing to its various pharmacological effects. This work summarizes the role of CBD in diabetes and its impact on complications such as cardiovascular dysfunction, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Strategies for discovering molecular targets for CBD in the treatment of diabetes and its complications are also proposed. Moreover, ways to optimize the structure of CBD based on known targets to generate new CBD analogues are explored.

Cannabis: a multifaceted plant with endless potentials

Cannabis sativa, also known as "hemp" or "weed," is a versatile plant with various uses in medicine, agriculture, food, and cosmetics. This review attempts to evaluate the available literature on the ecology, chemical composition, phytochemistry, pharmacology, traditional uses, industrial uses, and toxicology of Cannabis sativa. So far, 566 chemical compounds have been isolated from Cannabis, including 125 cannabinoids and 198 non-cannabinoids. The psychoactive and physiologically active part of the plant is a cannabinoid, mostly found in the flowers, but also present in smaller amounts in the leaves, stems, and seeds. Of all phytochemicals, terpenes form the largest composition in the plant. Pharmacological evidence reveals that the plants contain cannabinoids which exhibit potential as antioxidants, antibacterial agents, anticancer agents, and anti-inflammatory agents. Furthermore, the compounds in the plants have reported applications in the food and cosmetic industries. Significantly, Cannabis cultivation has a minimal negative impact on the environment in terms of cultivation. Most of the studies focused on the chemical make-up, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects, but not much is known about the toxic effects. Overall, the Cannabis plant has enormous potential for biological and industrial uses, as well as traditional and other medicinal uses. However, further research is necessary to fully understand and explore the uses and beneficial properties of Cannabis sativa.

Effect of Genotype, Year, and Their Interaction on the Accumulation of Bioactive Compounds and the Antioxidant Activity in Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Inflorescences

The phytochemical content and the antioxidant activity in the inflorescences of six industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) genotypes, four monoecious (Codimono, Carmaleonte, Futura 75, and Santhica 27), and two dioecious (Fibrante and Carmagnola Selezionata), were assessed for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020. The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometric measurements, whereas HPLC and GC/MS were used to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds, terpenes, cannabinoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. All the measured traits were significantly affected by genotype (G), cropping year (Y), and their interaction (G × Y), although the Y effect prevailed as a source of variation, ranging from 50.1% to 88.5% for all the metabolites except cannabinoids, which were equally affected by G, Y, and G × Y interaction (33.9%, 36.5%, and 21.4%, respectively). The dioecious genotypes presented a more constant performance over the three years compared to the monoecious genotypes, with the highest and most stable phytochemical content observed in the inflorescences of Fibrante, which was characterized by the highest levels of cannabidiol, α-humulene and β-caryophyllene, which may confer on the inflorescences of this genotype a great economic value due to the important pharmacological properties of these metabolites. Conversely, the inflorescences of Santhica 27 were characterized by the lowest accumulation of phytochemicals over the cropping years, with the notable exception of cannabigerol, a cannabinoid that exhibits a wide range of biological activities, which was found at its highest level in this genotype. Overall, these findings can be used by breeders in future programs aimed at the selection of new hemp genotypes with improved levels of phytochemicals in their inflorescences, which can provide better health and industrial benefits.

Research Progress on Cannabinoids in Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) in China

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is an ancient cultivated plant that contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is widely utilized at home and abroad and is an economic crop with great development and utilization value. There are 31 countries legalizing industrial cannabis cultivation. Cannabis fiber has been used for textile production in China for 6000 years. China is the largest producer and exporter of cannabis. China may still play a leading role in the production of cannabis fiber. China has a long history of cannabis cultivation and rich germplasm resources. Yunnan, Heilongjiang, and Jilin are three Chinese provinces where industrial cannabis can be grown legally. Cannabinoids are terpenoid phenolic compounds produced during the growth, and which development of cannabis and are found in the glandular hairs of female flowers at anthesis. They are the active chemical components in the cannabis plant and the main components of cannabis that exert pharmacological activity. At the same time, research in China on the use of cannabis in the food industry has shown that industrial cannabis oil contains 13-20% oleic acid, 40-60% omega-6 linoleic acid, and 15-30% omega-3 α-linolenic acid. At present, more than 100 cannabinoids have been identified and analyzed in China, among which phenolic compounds are the main research objects. For instance, phenolic substances represented by cannabidiol (CBD) have rich pharmacological effects. There are still relatively little research on cannabinoids, and a comprehensive introduction to research progress in this area is needed. This paper reviews domestic and foreign research progress on cannabinoids in cannabis sativa, which is expected to support cannabis-related research and development.

A cross-sectional survey on cannabis: Characterizing motives, opinions, and subjective experiences associated with the use of various oral cannabis products

BACKGROUND

Cannabis-infused products available for oral consumption include food and drink items (i.e., edibles) (e.g., baked goods, gummy-, chocolate-, and hard-candies, beverages/drinks) as well as non-food formulations (e.g., oils/tinctures, pills/capsules). This study characterized the motives, opinions, and subjective experiences associated with the use of these seven subtypes of oral cannabis products.

METHODS

This web-based survey collected cross-sectional, self-report data from a convenience sample of 370 adults regarding various use-motives, self-reported cannabinoid content, subjective experiences, and opinions related to ingesting oral cannabis products with alcohol and/or food. Advice participants had received about modifying oral cannabis product effects, in general, was also collected.

RESULTS

Participants reported consuming cannabis baked goods and gummy candies most frequently over the past year (68% and 63%, respectively). Participants were less likely to use oils/tinctures for enjoyment/desire relative to other product types and more likely to use oils/tinctures for therapeutic purposes (e.g., medication-replacement). Self-reported cannabinoid content was highly variable across participants and within product subtype. Participants reported feeling stronger and longer-lasting effects when consuming oral cannabis products on an empty stomach and 43% received advice to "eat a snack or meal" to mitigate effects that are too strong, which contrasts with controlled studies. Finally, 43% of participants reported modifying their experiences with alcohol at least some of time.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the need to further evaluate use-motives as well as the interaction between dietary factors, cannabinoid pharmacokinetics, and subjective drug effects and the interactive effects of oral cannabis products and alcohol in a controlled laboratory setting.

Pharmacokinetics of Orally Applied Cannabinoids and Medical Marijuana Extracts in Mouse Nervous Tissue and Plasma: Relevance for Pain Treatment

Cannabis sativa plants contain a multitude of bioactive substances, which show broad variability between different plant strains. Of the more than a hundred naturally occurring phytocannabinoids, Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been the most extensively studied, but whether and how the lesser investigated compounds in plant extracts affect bioavailability or biological effects of Δ9-THC or CBD is not known. We therefore performed a first pilot study to assess THC concentrations in plasma, spinal cord and brain after oral administration of THC compared to medical marijuana extracts rich in THC or depleted of THC. Δ9-THC levels were higher in mice receiving the THC-rich extract. Surprisingly, only orally applied CBD but not THC alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity in the mouse spared nerve injury model, favoring CBD as an analgesic compound for which fewer unwanted psychoactive effects are to be expected.

Identification of histone acetyltransferase genes responsible for cannabinoid synthesis in hemp

BACKGROUND

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) play an important role in plant growth and development, stress response, and regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is famous for its high industrial, nutritional, and medicinal value. It contains non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBG), which play important roles as anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety. At present, the involvement of HATs in the regulation of cannabinoid CBD and CBG synthesis has not been clarified.

METHODS

The members of HAT genes family in hemp were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics analysis. In addition, the expression level of HATs and the level of histone acetylation modification were analyzed based on transcriptome data and protein modification data. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to verify the changes in gene expression levels after inhibitor treatment. The changes of CBD and CBG contents after inhibitor treatment were verified by HPLC-MS analysis.

RESULTS

Here, 11 HAT genes were identified in the hemp genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hemp HAT family genes can be divided into six groups. Cannabinoid synthesis genes exhibited spatiotemporal specificity, and histones were acetylated in different inflorescence developmental stages. The expression of cannabinoid synthesis genes was inhibited and the content of CBD and CBG declined by 10% to 55% in the samples treated by HAT inhibitor (PU139). Results indicated that CsHAT genes may regulate cannabinoid synthesis through altering histone acetylation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides genetic information of HATs responsible for cannabinoid synthesis, and offers a new approach for increasing the content of cannabinoid in hemp.

Therapeutic use of cannabis in the US

ABSTRACT

NPs are likely to encounter patients using cannabis with therapeutic intent, with or without legal authorization. During the clinical history and assessment process, NPs need to engage in frank discussion about cannabis therapeutics, including the risks and benefits, evidence for use, dosing considerations, potential drug interactions, and harm reduction.

Impact of Cadmium Stress on Growth and Physio-Biochemical Attributes of Eruca sativa Mill

Plants may experience adverse effects from Cadmium (Cd). As a result of its toxicity and mobility within the soil-plant continuum, it is attracting the attention of soil scientists and plant nutritionists. In this study, we subjected young Eruca sativa Mill. seedlings to different levels of Cd applications (0, 1.5, 6 and 30 µmol/L) via pot experiment to explore its morpho-physio-biochemical adaptations. Our results revealed a significant Cd accumulation in leaves at high Cd stress. It was also demonstrated that Cd stress inhibited photosynthetic rate and pigment levels, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Conversely, the concentration of total ascorbate (TAS) increased at all levels of Cd application, whereas that of ascorbic acid (ASA), and dehydroascorbate (DHA) increased at 1.5 (non-significant), 6, 30 and 6 µmol/L (significant), though their concentrations decreased non-significantly at 30 µmol/L application. In conclusion, Cd-subjected E. sativa seedlings diverted much energy from growth towards the synthesis of anti-oxidant metabolites and osmolytes. However, they did not seem to have protected the E. sativa seedlings from Cd-induced oxidative stress, causing a decrease in osmotic adjustment, and an increase in oxidative damage, which resulted in a reduction in photosynthesis and growth. Accordingly, we recommend that the cultivation of E. sativa should be avoided on soil with Cd contamination.

Quercetin Fatty Acid Monoesters (C2:0-C18:0): Enzymatic Preparation and Antioxidant Activity

Quercetin monoesters were prepared via a one-step enzymatic transesterification. The main acylation products were eight quercetin ester derivatives, respectively, consisting of varying acyl groups ranging from 2 to 18 carbon atoms (acetate, butyrate, caproate, caprylate, caprate, laurate, myristate, and stearate). The purified quercetin esters were structurally characterized by LC-ESI-ToF and NMR HSQC. Meanwhile, several classical chemical (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and Fe²⁺ chelation assays), food (β-carotene bleaching assay), and biological (LDL and DNA oxidation assays) models were constructed to evaluate and systematically compare their antioxidant efficacy. O-Acylation increased the lipophilicity of quercetin derivatives, and lipophilicity increased with the increasing chain length of the acyl group. The dual effect of the acyl chain length on biasing quercetin monoesters' antioxidant efficacies has been summarized and verified. Overall, the results imply that the acylated quercetin have great potential as functional/health-beneficial ingredients for use in lipid-based matrices of cosmetics, supplements, and nutraceuticals.

Impact of cannabis-infused edibles on public safety and regulation

Popularity of cannabis-infused products has bloomed since legalization for recreational use of marijuana started. Consumption of cannabis edibles has steadily increased, as restrictions on recreational cannabis smoking have become tighter. This phenomenon enhanced the possibility of these products crossing the state line. The most psychoactive component of cannabis, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is infused in "edibles" and linked to physiological and psychological effects. Consumers unfamiliar with these edibles may mistake them for non-THC containing products, causing unintended use or overconsumption. In addition, these cannabis-infused edibles are posing significant health risks. The FDA has recognized the potential dangers and recommended that cannabis remain as a Schedule I substance and illegal at the federal level. However, states maintain control of determining the legality of cannabis related products, and creating guidelines distinguishing cannabis edibles from the non-cannabis containing products. Recently, the State of Maine offers a blueprint for edible regulation that should be implemented in all states that are considering or have legalized marijuana.

Long-term daily feeding of cannabidiol is well-tolerated by healthy dogs

Cannabidiol (CBD) containing dog food and treats are widely commercially available, mirroring the growing popularity of CBD as a supplement for humans. Despite this, experimental evidence of the safety and efficacy of long-term oral exposure in dogs is lacking. The purpose of this study was to address the gap in knowledge around the longer-term suitability and tolerance of a broad-spectrum CBD (THC-free) distillate in clinically healthy dogs. The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, and blinded study where one group of twenty dogs received daily CBD capsules at a dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight (BW) for a period of 6 months. The control group of twenty dogs received placebo capsules. A comprehensive suite of physiological health measures was performed throughout the study at baseline, and after 2, 4, 10, 18, and 26 weeks of exposure, followed by 4 weeks of washout. CBD concentrations were measured at the same cadence in plasma, feces and urine. Health measures included biochemistry, hematology, urinalysis, in addition to fortnightly veterinary examinations, twice daily well-being observations, and a daily quality-of-life survey. Biochemistry and hematology showed no clinically significant alterations apart from a transient elevation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in just over half of the dogs receiving CBD. This elevation was observed in the absence of concurrent elevations of other liver parameters, and without any adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Furthermore, bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) was simultaneously elevated with a significant, strong (r > 0.9) positive correlation between the two measures, suggesting that the elevation of total ALP was at least partly due to the bone-derived isoform. This study provides evidence that a once-daily oral dose of 4 mg CBD/kg BW is well tolerated in clinically healthy dogs for a duration of 6-months.

Differential Interaction of Cannabidiol with Biomembranes Dependent on Cholesterol Concentration

Cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive component of plant-derived cannabinoids, has been reported to have a broad range of potential beneficial pharmacological effects on the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, the droplet interface bilayer, a model cell membrane, is used to examine the effects of CBD on passive water permeability, a fundamental membrane biophysical property. The presence of CBD decreases the water permeability of model lipid membranes composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and at low concentrations of cholesterol (Chol) (20 mol %) in DOPC, whereas when higher concentrations of Chol are present (33 mol %), CBD has an opposing effect, increasing water permeability. The diametric effect in water permeability change upon addition of CBD to Chol-low and Chol-high bilayers signifies a variant interaction of CBD, depending on the initial state of bilayer packing and fluidity. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry studies provide evidence that there are selective changes in thermotropic behavior for CBD with DOPC and with DOPC/Chol membranes, respectively, supportive of these varying membrane interactions of CBD dependent upon cholesterol. The intriguing ability of CBD to sensitively respond to membrane Chol concentrations in modifying physical properties highlights the significant impact that CBD can have on heterogeneous biomembranes including those of the CNS, the neurons of which are enriched in Chol to a point where up to a quarter of the body's total Chol is in the brain, and defective brain Chol homeostasis is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.

Targeting the Endocannabinoidome in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common malignancy of the pancreas, is an aggressive and lethal form of cancer with a very high mortality rate. High heterogeneity, asymptomatic initial stages and a lack of specific diagnostic markers result in an end-stage diagnosis when the tumour has locally advanced or metastasised. PDAC is resistant to most of the available chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments, making surgery the most potent curative treatment. The desmoplastic tumour microenvironment contributes to determining PDAC pathophysiology, immune response and therapeutic efficacy. The existing therapeutic approaches such as FDA-approved chemotherapeutics, gemcitabine, abraxane and folfirinox, prolong survival marginally and are accompanied by adverse effects. Several studies suggest the role of cannabinoids as anti-cancer agents. Cannabinoid receptors are known to be expressed in pancreatic cells, with a higher expression reported in pancreatic cancer patients. Therefore, pharmacological targeting of the endocannabinoid system might offer therapeutic benefits in pancreatic cancer. In addition, emerging data suggest that cannabinoids in combination with chemotherapy can increase survival in transgenic pancreatic cancer murine models. This review provides an overview of the regulation of the expanded endocannabinoid system, or endocannabinoidome, in PDAC and will explore the potential of targeting this system for novel anticancer approaches.

Analysis of cannabis seizures by non-targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Due to the popularity of recreational cannabis use, contamination of this drug with diverse classes of chemicals, including pesticides, mycotoxins, and synthetic cannabinoids, has been identified as major threat for public health. For the detection of these compounds in seized cannabis, a screening workflow involving non-targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) was developed. A Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method was used for the extraction of small bioorganic molecules from ground dried material. Instrumental analysis involved chromatographic separation of compounds and subsequent mass spectrometric detection. Collection of MS and MS/MS information was accomplished by data-dependent acquisition. Compound identification was primarily based on matching acquired MS/MS-spectra to several thousands of reference spectra stored in multiple libraries. Additionally, for selected cannabinoid and pesticide standards, a retention time library was developed. Performance of the workflow was evaluated for 182 pesticides. All tested pesticides were detectable at 5000 μg/kg, 94 % at 500 μg/kg, and 50 % at 50 μg/kg. The workflow was applied to the screening of seized cannabis samples. 41 out of 93 analysed samples (44 %) were tested positive for one or more contaminants impairing quality and/or safety of the material. The detected contaminants included a synthetic cannabinoid (5F-MDMB-PINACA), fifteen pesticide residues (boscalid, carbendazim, chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos, chlorotoluron, cyprodinil, diflubenzuron, ethiofencarb sulfoxide, hexythiazox, iprodione, metalaxyl, pyrimethanil, terbutryn, thiophanate methyl, and trifloxystrobin), and a mycotoxin (sterigmatocystin).

Effect of the Distillation Time on the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Different Cannabis sativa L. Cultivars

Within the unavoidable variability of various origins in the characteristics of essential oils, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the distillation time on the chemical composition and biological activity of Cannabis sativa essential oils (EOs). The dry inflorescences came from Carmagnola, Kompolti, Futura 75, Gran Sasso Kush and Carmagnola Lemon varieties from Abruzzo region (Central Italy), the last two being new cultivar here described for the first time. EOs were collected at 2 h and 4 h of distillation; GC/MS technique was applied to characterize their volatile fraction. The EOs were evaluated for total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AOC) and antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. The time of distillation particularly influenced EOs chemical composition, extracting more or less terpenic components, but generally enriching with minor sesquiterpenes and cannabidiol. A logical response in ratio of time was observed for antioxidant potential, being the essential oils at 4 h of distillation more active than those distilled for 2 h, and particularly Futura 75. Conversely, except for Futura 75, the effect of time on the antimicrobial activity was variable and requires further investigations; nevertheless, the inhibitory activity of all EOs against Pseudomonas fluorescens P34 was an interesting result.

Synergistic and antagonistic antioxidant effects in the binary cannabinoids mixtures

From the group of nearly 120 cannabinoids identified in the hemp sativa and marijuana, CBG, CBD, THC and their acidic forms CBGA, CBDA and THCA are the most frequently studied. All these cannabinoids exhibit antioxidant activity manifested in the ability to scavenge free radicals, to prevent the oxidation process and to reduce metal ions. The paper reports and discusses the antioxidant properties of binary mixtures of the mentioned cannabinoids as regards their ability to scavenge free radicals. The paper shows that, depending on cannabinoid type in their binary mixture and their amounts ratio, an additive, synergistic and antagonistic effect of their antioxidant activity is observed. Binary mixtures of the tested cannabinoids in the full range of their molar ratios were used in the experiments. The presented results seems to be essential in terms of more and more numerous reports showing greater pharmacological effectiveness of binary cannabinoid mixtures compared to that of their individual components.

Simple chemical tests to identify Cannabis derivatives: Redefinition of parameters and analysis of concepts

The chemical identification of Cannabis is commonly carried out using the Duquenois-Levine (DL) colorimetric test. On the other hand, its active substances called cannabinoids are differentiated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). This work aims to optimize parameters of these two chemical tests using different samples of Cannabis in natura and previously heated (decarboxylated), as well as their isolated bioactive and possible false positives. The efficiency of the DL test without using ether and aliphatic aldehyde was evaluated, comparing the removal or not of the solid sample from the reaction medium after applying different concentrations of the vanillin ethanolic solution. The chemical properties of different cannabinoids and solvents were estimated and correlated with the TLC retention factors. DL tests applied directly to the plant matrix did not show the expected color, even using a high concentration of vanillin. However, obtaining ethanolic extracts from the samples using low vanillin concentration was sufficient without detecting false positives described in the literature. Cannabinoids with high dipole moment ( μ ) were poorly eluted in TLC, indicating a great interaction with the stationary phase. Their identifications could be conducted based on their distinct lipophilic characteristics ( log P OW ) and the choice of a more polar solvent mix ( μ mix ). It is concluded that the DL test can be conducted with reagents of less toxicity, but it is necessary to remove the plant matrix from the reaction medium. The correlation of the TLC results with the chemical properties of cannabinoids and solvents was consistent and can be extrapolated for more complex analyses.

CBG, CBD, Δ9-THC, CBN, CBGA, CBDA and Δ9-THCA as antioxidant agents and their intervention abilities in antioxidant action

Positive effect of some cannabinoids in the treatment and prophylaxis of a wide variety of oxidation-associated diseases and growing popularity of supplements containing cannabinoids, mainly cannabinoid oils (e.g. CBD oil, CBG oil), in the self-medication of humans cause a growing interest in the antioxidant properties of these compounds, especially those not showing psychotropic effects. Herein, we report the antioxidant activity of cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabinolic acid (CBDA) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA) estimated by spectrophotometric methods: ABTS, DPPH, ORAC, beta-carotene CUPRAC and FRAP. The presented data prove that all the examined cannabinoids exhibit antioxidant activity manifested in their ability to scavenge free radicals, to prevent the oxidation process and to reduce metal ions. Although the intensity of these activities is not the same for the individual cannabinoids it is comparable for all of them with that of E vitamin. As results from the research, the significance of the two types of electron sources presenting in examined cannabinoids, phenolic groups and double bonds transferring electrons, depends on the type of electron-accepting species - radicals/metal ions.