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Effects of concomitant use of THC and irinotecan on tumour growth and biochemical markers in a syngeneic mouse model of colon cancer

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Clinical treatment with the antineoplastic drug irinotecan (IRI) is often hindered by side effects that significantly reduce the quality of life of treated patients. Due to the growing public support for products with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), even though relevant scientific literature does not provide clear evidence of their high antitumour potential, some cancer patients take unregistered preparations containing up to 80 % THC. This study was conducted on a syngeneic colorectal cancer mouse model to test the efficiency and safety of concomitant treatment with IRI and THC. Male BALB/c mice subcutaneously injected with CT26 cells were receiving 60 mg/kg of IRI intraperitoneally on day 1 and 5 of treatment and/or 7 mg/kg of THC by gavage a day for 7 days. Treatment responses were evaluated based on changes in body, brain, and liver weight, tumour growth, blood cholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress parameters. Irinotecan’s systemic toxicity was evidenced by weight loss and high oxidative stress. The important finding of this study is that combining THC with IRI diminishes IRI efficiency in inhibiting tumour growth. However, further studies, focused on more subtle molecular methods in tumour tissue and analytical analysis of IRI and THC distribution in tumour-bearing mice, are needed to prove our observations.

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Decreased melanoma CSF-1 secretion by Cannabigerol treatment reprograms regulatory myeloid cells and reduces tumor progression

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During solid tumor progression, the tumor microenvironment (TME) evolves into a highly immunosuppressive milieu. Key players in the immunosuppressive environment are regulatory myeloid cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which are recruited and activated via tumor-secreted cytokines such as colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1). Therefore, the depletion of tumor-secreted cytokines is a leading anticancer strategy. Here, we found that CSF-1 secretion by melanoma cells is decreased following treatment with Cannabis extracts. Cannabigerol (CBG) was identified as the bioactive cannabinoid responsible for the effects.

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Quality of Life Among Patients Using Cannabis to Manage Anxiety: A Longitudinal Observational Study

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As our knowledge and understanding of the therapeutic role of cannabis evolve through increased research, cannabis products are increasingly being used as a treatment for several medical conditions. Recent evidence suggests that cannabis may exert anxiolytic effects, which has led to considerable interest in using cannabis for the management of anxiety. Accordingly, there is a need to examine the effect of cannabis use on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with anxiety. The aim of this observational study was to measure the HRQoL for 1 year of 60 participants who used medical cannabis products primarily to manage their anxiety symptoms.

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Effects of Two Cannabidiol Oil Products on Self-Reported Stress Relief: A Quasi-Experimental Study

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Estimated rates of past-month cannabidiol (CBD) use in the general public are 13–26% and emerging research examines CBD as a potential adjunct treatment for several medical conditions, including stress-related disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, and chronic pain). However, little is known about the effects of different CBD products on self-reported stress. The present study compared the effects of two delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free CBD tincture products – (1) an isolate CBD oil and (2) a broad spectrum CBD oil – on self-ratings of effectiveness of the product and ability to manage stress.

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Relief in Gastrointestinal Symptoms with Medical Marijuana Over 1 Year

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Subjective improvement in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms was assessed among patients using medical marijuana (MMJ).Participants completed surveys at 0 days, 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months with questions about the severity of their GI symptoms on a scale from 1 (mild) to 3 (severe).

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Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Emerging Adult Cannabis Users by Race/Ethnicity: Analysis of the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

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Association between cannabis use and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been documented; yet variation by race/ethnicity is understudied. We examined cannabis use and MetS by race/ethnicity among emerging adults (18-25 years old), the age group with the highest prevalence of cannabis use.

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Understanding the epidemiology and perceived efficacy of cannabis use in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

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The belief that cannabis has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties continues to attract patients with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain towards its use. However, the role that cannabis will play in the management of chronic MSK pain remains to be determined. This study examined 1) the rate, patterns of use, and self-reported efficacy of cannabis use among patients with chronic MSK pain and 2) the interest and potential barriers to cannabis use among patients with chronic MSK pain not currently using cannabis.

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Unveiling the Potential of Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis and the Dawn of Nano-Cannabinoid Medicine

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Multiple sclerosis is the predominant autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system in adolescents and adults. Specific treatments are categorized as disease-modifying, whereas others are symptomatic treatments to alleviate painful symptoms. Currently, no singular conventional therapy is universally effective for all patients across all stages of the illness. Nevertheless, cannabinoids exhibit significant promise in their capacity for neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and immunosuppression. This review will examine the traditional treatment for multiple sclerosis, the increasing interest in using cannabis as a treatment method, its role in protecting the nervous system and regulating the immune system, commercially available therapeutic cannabinoids, and the emerging use of cannabis in nanomedicine. In conclusion, cannabinoids exhibit potential as a disease-modifying treatment rather than merely symptomatic relief. However, further research is necessary to unveil their role and establish the safety and advancements in nano-cannabinoid medicine, offering the potential for reduced toxicity and fewer adverse effects, thereby maximizing the benefits of cannabinoids.

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Cannabis and Vulvodynia Symptoms: A Preliminary Report

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Medical marijuana has a long history of use as an analgesic for chronic pain disorders, including dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), a hallmark of the rare chronic pain disorder vulvodynia. Many women’s health topics remain under investigated. Few studies address cannabis’s potential to treat vulvodynia symptoms despite their dramatic impact on quality of life. Women who had used cannabis and who reported experiencing vulvodynia symptoms (N = 38) completed an online survey assessing symptoms, expectancies regarding cannabis-associated relief from vulvodynia symptoms, cannabis use, and cannabis-related problems. Generally, women expected cannabis to have moderate to large effects on vulvodynia symptoms (d = .63-1.19). Nevertheless, women expected greater relief for burning/stabbing pain than for itching and pain associated with tampon insertion, as well greater relief for dyspareunia than for pain associated with tampon insertion. Those whose symptoms were worse expected more relief from cannabis treatment. Expectations of cannabis-induced relief did not increase frequency of use or problems. These data support the idea that further work is warranted, including placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials to rule out any placebo effects and identify potential adverse side effects from a cannabis treatment for vulvodynia.

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Cannabis use preferences in women with myofascial pelvic pain: A cross-sectional study

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Myofascial tenderness is present in most chronic pelvic pain conditions and causes significant distress to patients. Treatment is challenging and often not curative. Cannabis is often used for self-management of chronic pelvic pain. However, we do not know which concentrations and routes of administration are most acceptable to users. We aimed to investigate patterns and willingness of cannabis product use among both habitual users and non-users with myofascial pelvic pain (MPP), to inform therapeutic development.

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Cannabidiol and brain function: current knowledge and future perspectives

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa, commonly known as cannabis or hemp. Although currently available CBD products do not meet the safety standards of most food safety authorities to be approved as a dietary supplement or food additive, CBD has been gaining widespread attention in recent years due to its various potential health benefits. While primarily known for its therapeutic effects in managing epileptic seizures, psychosis, anxiety, (neuropathic) pain, and inflammation, CBD’s influence on brain function has also piqued the interest of researchers and individuals seeking to enhance cognitive performance. The primary objective of this review is to gather, synthesize, and consolidate scientifically proven evidence on the impact of CBD on brain function and its therapeutic significance in treating neurological and mental disorders. First, basic background information on CBD, including its biomolecular properties and mechanisms of action is presented. Next, evidence for CBD effects in the human brain is provided followed by a discussion on the potential implications of CBD as a neurotherapeutic agent.

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Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Domestic Marijuana (Bong) Uses for Common Diseases in Booni Chitral Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

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Cannabis (marijuana) based medicines have been used for medicinal purposes in many cultures for centuries. Traditional herbal medicine continues to serve as the most cost-effective and readily available form of treatment within the primary healthcare system for communities that do not have access to modern medicine. This study investigated the indigenous knowledge of folk healing among tribal minorities at selected sites in Booni Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa . In this study, researcher explored the effects of using cannabis (bong) for medicinal purposes. This study intends to shed light on the cultural and domestic contexts of locally grown marijuana in order to discover its possible therapeutic uses for common ailments. In order to study the household utilization of marijuana for common ailments, a qualitative research approach is to conduct in-depth interviews with people who have first-hand experience using marijuana for health purposes in the comfort of their own homes. The researcher interviewed 10 dwellers for which 3 were females and 7 were males in Booni Upper Chitral selected through a snowball sampling technique.

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