Effect of Hempseed (Cannabis sativa sp.) Inclusion to the Diet on Performance, Carcass and Antioxidative Activity in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Current and Potential Use of Biologically Active Compounds Derived from Cannabis sativa L. in the Treatment of Selected Diseases

Cannabis sativa L. contains numerous compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, including the flavonoids and the cannabinoids, particularly Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabinoids have an effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a cellular communication network, and are, hence, widely studied for medical applications. Epidiolex®, a 99% pure oral CBD extract, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of epilepsy. Nabiximols (Sativex) is an oromucosal spray containing equal volume of THC and CBD, and it is commonly used as an add-on treatment for unresponsive spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have also shown that cannabinoids can be used to treat various types of cancer, such as melanoma and brain glioblastoma; the first positive clinical trials on the anticancer effect of a THC:CBD blend with temozolomide (TMZ) in the treatment of highly invasive brain cancer are very promising. The cannabinoids exert their anticancer properties in in vitro investigations by the induction of cell death, mainly by apoptosis and cytotoxic autophagy, and the inhibition of cell proliferation. In several studies, cannabinoids have been found to induce tumor regression and inhibit angiogenic mechanisms in vitro and in vivo, as well as in two low-numbered epidemiological studies. They also exhibit antiviral effects by inhibiting ACE2 transcription, blocking viral replication and fusion, and acting as anti-inflammatory agents; indeed, prior CBD consumption (a study of 93,565 persons in Chicago) has also been associated with a much lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. It is postulated that cannabis extracts can be used in the treatment of many other diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, or various types of neurological disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this review is to outline the current state of knowledge regarding currently used medicinal preparations derived from C. sativa L. in the treatment of selected cancer and viral diseases, and to present the latest research on the potential applications of its secondary metabolites.

The Effects of Adding Hempseed Cake on Sperm Traits, Body Weight, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in Rabbit Males

Incorporating of agro-industrial co-products into animal nutrition could represent an opportunity to lessen the environmental impact of the food production chain. One such co-product is a hempseed cake originating from cold pressing hemp seeds to extract oil for human consumption. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the action of hempseed cake in the diet on male rabbit reproductive and some non-reproductive indexes. Male rabbits were fed either a standard diet (control group; C; n = 10) or a diet enriched with hempseed cake (experimental group E5 with 5% of a hempseed cake; n = 10, and experimental group E10 with 10% of a hempseed cake; n = 10) in 100 kg of the milled complete feed mixture. Rabbit weight gain, sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, and sperm quality were evaluated using CASA and flow cytometry. Feeding with a hempseed cake, given at both tested concentrations, had no effect on weight gain per week and the total average weight gain compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Hempseed cake addition had no effect on sperm concentration in ejaculate, sperm motility, and progressive motility (p > 0.05). Selected haematological and biochemical indexes were examined. The E5 group showed positive tendencies in hepatic profile parameters, while in the E10 group the tendencies were opposite, though within the reference values. Based on our results, no negative effects of hempseed cake feeding on rabbit reproduction and health status were found, and we can recommend the use of hempseed cake at doses up to 10% in the nutrition and feeding of rabbits. Therefore, agro-industrial co-products can decrease the feeding cost.

Effects of eight-week regular high-intensity interval training and hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed on total testosterone level among sedentary young males: double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) alone or in combination with hemp seed on total testosterone (TT) levels, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), body composition, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity in sedentary young males.

METHODS

Randomly, 48 young sedentary males were assigned among four groups (each comprising 12 individuals) as follows: HIIT + hemp seed (HH), HIIT + placebo (AT), hemp seed only (HS), and control. For eight weeks, exercise groups had HIIT three times per week. Hemp seed groups received 2 g of powder daily. The plasma levels of TT, SHBG, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and also body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), and muscle mass percentage (MM%) were measured. The analysis was based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP).

RESULTS

Based on ITT, BMI and BF% decreased, and MM% increased significantly post-intervention in HIIT groups (p < 0.05). TT increased significantly in the HH [mean difference 0.45, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.7, p = 0.005] and AT [mean difference 0.37, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.7, p = 0.01]. The whole hemp seed components showed a significant antioxidant potential. However, none of the SOD, CAT, and MDA indices showed significant changes post-interventions (p ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Finally, HIIT and hemp seed intake showed no significant effects on the antioxidant defense system. However, regular HIIT significantly increased TT levels and improved body composition in sedentary young males.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration code: IRCT20140907019082N10).

Antioxidant Activity of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seed Oil in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae under Non-Stress and H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress Conditions

The oil extracted from hemp seeds has significant nutritional and biological properties due to the unique composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids and various antioxidant compounds. The potential of this oil for the prevention of oxidative stress and for the treatment of oxidative-stress-induced ailments is of increasing interest. Most studies of hemp seed oil were conducted in-vitro, meaning we lack information about effects and activity in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the hypothesis that hemp seed oil at different concentrations improves the oxidative state of D. melanogaster, under non-stress as well as hydrogen-peroxide-induced stress. We analyzed the effects of hemp seed oil on oxidative stress markers and on the life cycle of D.melanogaster under non-stress and hydrogen-peroxide-induced stress conditions. D.melanogaster larvae were exposed to hemp seed oil concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 125 μL/mL. The results revealed that under non-stress conditions, oil concentrations up to 62.5 µL/mL did not induce negative effects on the life cycle of D. melanogaster and maintained the redox status of the larval cells at similar levels to the control level. Under oxidative stress conditions, biochemical parameters were significantly affected and only two oil concentrations, 18.7 and 31.2 µL/mL, provided protection against hydrogen peroxide stress effects. A higher oil concentration (125 μL/mL) exerted negative effects on the oxidative status and increased larval mortality. The tested oil was characterized chemically by NMR, transesterification, and silylation, followed by GC-MS analyses, and was shown to contain polyunsaturated fatty acid triglycerides and low levels of tocopherols. The high levels of linoleic and linolenic acids in the oil are suggested to be responsible for the observed in vivo antioxidant effects. Taken together, the results show that hemp seed oil is effective for reducing oxidative stress at the cellular level, thus supporting the hypothesis. The obtained results point to the potential of hemp seed oil for the prevention and treatment of conditions caused by the action of reactive oxygen species.

Positive Effect of Cannabis sativa L. Herb Extracts on Skin Cells and Assessment of Cannabinoid-Based Hydrogels Properties

The skin is an organ that is constantly exposed to many external factors that can affect its structure and function. Due to the presence of different cannabinoid receptors on many types of skin cells, cannabinoids can interact directly with them. Therefore, as part of this work, the impact of two types of Cannabis sativa L. herb extracts on keratinocytes and fibroblasts was assessed. The content of biologically active compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, chlorophylls and cannabinoids was evaluated. The antioxidant capacity of prepared extracts using the DPPH radical, H2DCFDA probe and measurement of superoxide dismutase activity was also assessed. The cytotoxicity of hemp extracts was determined using the Alamar Blue, Neutral Red and LDH assays. The ability of the extracts to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases, collagenase and elastase, was assessed. Preparations of model hydrogels were also prepared and their effect on transepidermal water loss and skin hydration was measured. The obtained results indicate that hemp extracts can be a valuable source of biologically active substances that reduce oxidative stress, inhibit skin aging processes and positively affect the viability of skin cells. The analysis also showed that hydrogels based on cannabis extracts have a positive effect on skin hydration.

Effect of Dill Powder (Anethum graveolens) as a Dietary Supplement on Productive Performance, Mortality and Economic Figure in Broiler

Background and Aim: Dill “Anethum graveolens” is considered to be an important herbal medicinal plant in the celery family “Apiaceae”. It is the only member of the genus “Anethum”. Dill seed’s health benefits include the potential to improve digestive health, as well as supplying insomnia, hiccups, respiratory disorders, nausea, dysentery, and cancer relief. This experiment was conducted to shed light the influences of dietary Dill leaves powder supplementation on growth performance, edible giblets and mortality rate with reference to its economical figure for Ross 308 broiler. Experimental: 120 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks have been allotted into the four dietary experimental groups, each with three replicates and 10 birds each as randomized design. The experimental groups were classified into basal diet with no Dill powder kept as control, and 1, 2 and 3 g of Dill powder per kg of diets respectively. The birds growth performance including live body weights gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were monitored weekly. At the end of the experiment eight male birds were selected randomly from each replicate slaughtered and edible giblets viz., gizzard, heart and liver, were calculated. In addition, the effect of dill power supplementation on the mortality rate as well as its economic figure was recorded. Results: Data indicated that using Dill leaves powder at the level of 1 g/kg ration significantly increased feed intake (FI), live body weight (BW), weight gain (WG) compared to control and other treatment groups. Additionally, there were remarkable differences (p≤0.05) for feed conversion ratio (FCR) among experimental groups. In addition, edible giblets were better in groups supplemented with dill leaves powder compared with the control. The Dill leaves powder at the level of g/kg ration did not reported any mortalities and the economic figures did not show any significant differences among the experimental groups. Recommended applications/industries: Conclusively, dietary supplementation of Dill leaves powder enhanced the productive performance of broilers chicks especially at the level of 1 g/kg ration.

Effects of heat-treated hempseed supplementation on performance, egg quality, sensory evaluation and antioxidant activity of laying hens

1. This study was conducted to determine the effects of raw and heat-treated hempseed (HHS, Cannabis sativa L.) on performance, egg quality and antioxidant activity in laying hens. 2. A total of 108 laying hens, aged 36 weeks, were divided into three treatment groups with 12 replicates and each replicate contained three laying hens. The treatments were as follows: (1) Control (no hempseed), (2) 15% raw hempseed (RHS) in diet and (3) 15% HHS in the diet. Experiments lasted for 12 weeks. 3. Feed intake of the RHS group was lower than those of the control and HHS groups. Egg weight, egg mass, shell weight, shell surface area and shell thickness of the HHS group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the RHS group. Roche (DSM) colour fan values of the RHS group were higher than that of the HHS group (P < 0.01). 4. Palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic acids of egg yolk were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the RHS and HHS groups; however, linoleic, α-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) of egg yolk increased (P < 0.05) for both treatment diets compared to the control group. 5. Both RHS and HHS supplementation to layer diets did not influence malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and blood lipid profile. 6. It was concluded that HHS was superior in improving the egg quality of laying hens as compared to the RHS.