Italian Researchers Suggest CBD Could be Used to Prevent Colon Cancer

(2/16/2012) A research study conducted by members of the Endocannabinoid Research Group in Italy showed that cannabidiol(CBD) may prevent colon cancer according their animal and petri dish experiments(Aviello et al., 2012). The research team induced colon cancers in mice with the chemical agent azoxymethane. The formation of aberrant crypts, polyps, and tumors were reduced in the colons of mice administered as little as 1mg/kg CBD compared to mice without the drug. The researchers may have identified the mechanism of CBD’s antitumor action in the gut. It appears that the effects of CBD can be countered by blocking CB1, TRPV1, or PPARγreceptors. CBD may act through multiple mechanisms or pathway but they converge on a very important protein called AKT. The anti-cancer effects of CBD are thought to result from the phosphorylation or activation of AKT, a protein important for cell growth and maintenance.

The authors also discussthe mounting evidence from the thousands of patients involved in clinical trials investigating the benefitsof the cannabis-extract Sativex.There are virtually no adverse reports from the manypatients,in over20countries where this pharmaceutical extract of cannabis is availableby prescription. Most patientsappear totolerate the drug wellwith little to no adverse side effects, although there is a chance that a patientmay experience thenegative side-effect of “a feeling of general happiness”after administration and symptom relief, according to the Sativex fact sheet from Bayer Inc. Since there is substantial evidence that CBD is well tolerated in humans and is non-toxic, the authors suggest that it could be safely consumed by people in order to prevent colon cancers.

The Cannabisplant is the stuff pharmaceutical company’s dream about,with anextensive libraryof non-toxic therapeutic drugs made in its waxytrichomes,butCannabisis not the only plant to contain cannabinoids. Botanists have uncovered almost half a dozen other plants that make cannabinoids; THC has not been found on any plants but scientists have found cannabigerol (CBG) being made by otherplants!These new sources of cannabinoids include: Voacanga Africana, Rhodenderon Anthpogonoides, Radula Marginata, andHelichrysum Umbraculigerum(Appendino et al., 2011, Iwata and Kitanaka, 2011).

Unfortunately we are now the prey to a scourge of expensive and untested synthetic cannabinoids, whilethese plants remain neglected pharmaceutical treasure troves. The Cannabisplant has provided the world with many important discoveries and potential therapies;it is only a matter of time beforeother plants are introduced into modern medicinefor theiruniquecannabinoid profile.

References

Appendino G, Chianese G, Taglialatela-Scafati O (2011) Cannabinoids: occurrence and medicinal chemistry. Current medicinal chemistry 18:1085-1099.

Aviello G, Romano B, Borrelli F, Capasso R, Gallo L, Piscitelli F, Di Marzo V, Izzo AA (2012) Chemopreventive effect of the non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid cannabidiol on experimental colon cancer. J Mol Med

wata N, Kitanaka S (2011) New cannabinoid-like chromane and chromene derivatives from Rhododendron anthopogonoides. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin 59:1409-1412