Cannabis and its constituents for cancer: History, biogenesis, chemistry and pharmacological activities. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lal, Samridhi; Shekher, Anusmita; Puneet, ; Narula, Acharan S.; Abrahamse, Heidi; Gupta, Subash C.
• Is Part Of: Pharmacological research. Volume 163(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Δ8-THC Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol -- Δ9-THC Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol -- Δ9-THCA Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid -- 2-AG 2-arachidonoylglycerol -- 5HT 5-hydoxytryptamine -- ACPA arachidonoyl cyclopropamide -- AEA N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine -- AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome -- ALL acute lymphoblastic leukemia -- AMPK adenosine monophosphate activated kinase -- Ang-2 angiopoietin-2 -- ATP/AMP adenosine triphosphate/Adenosine monophosphate -- BAD Bcl2-associated agonist of cell death -- Bcl2 B-cell lymphoma 2 -- CAMKK-β calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-beta -- CBC cannabichromene -- CBD cannabidiol -- CBDA cannabidiolic acid -- CBG cannabigerol -- CBGA cannabigerolic acid -- CBN cannabinol -- CBND cannabinodiol -- CBs cannabinoids -- Cdc2/25A cell division cycle2/25A -- Cdk2 cyclin dependent kinase 2 -- COX-2 cyclooxygenase-2 -- CTCL cutaneous T-cell lymphoma -- ECS endogenous/endo cannabinoid system -- EGF epidermal growth factor -- EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor -- ERK1/2 extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2 -- FAAH fatty acid amide hydrolase -- FAK focal adhesion kinase -- GPR55 G protein coupled receptor 55 -- HIF-1α hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha -- IL-1β interleukin-1 beta -- IL interleukin -- JNK1/2 c-Jun N-terminal kinase1/2 -- MAG lipase monoacylglycerol lipase -- MAPK mitogen activated protein kinase -- mTORC1 mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 -- NF-1 neurofibromatosis type-1 -- p27kip1 p27kinase inhibitor protein 1 -- PA pilocytic astrocytoma -- PAI-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 -- PDHK pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase -- PGE2 prostaglandin E-2 -- PI3K phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase -- PIGF placental growth factor -- PKB protein kinase B -- PPAR-α/γ peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/gamma -- pre-THC pre-tetrahydrocannabinol -- Rb retinoblastoma -- RhoA Ras homolog gene family member A -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- SEA stearoyl ethanolamide -- TIMP-1 tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 -- TNF-α tumor necrosis factor-alpha -- TRB3 tribbles homolog 3 -- Trk tropomyosin receptor kinase -- TRP transient receptor potential -- TRPA1 transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 -- TRPM8 transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M (melastatin) member 8 -- TRPV1/2 transient receptor potential vanilloid ½ -- VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor; Cancer -- Cannabidiol -- Cannabis -- Endocannabinoid -- Phytocannabinoids -- Tetrahydrocannabinol; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Médicaments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; 615.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-6618

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: Cannabis has long been used for healing and recreation in several regions of the world. Over 400 bioactive constituents, including more than 100 phytocannabinoids, have been isolated from this plant. The non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) and the psychoactive Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) are the major and widely studied constituents from this plant. Cannabinoids exert their effects through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that comprises cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2), endogenous ligands, and metabolizing enzymes. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of cannabinoids against leukemia, lymphoma, glioblastoma, and cancers of the breast, colorectum, pancreas, cervix and prostate. Cannabis and its constituents can modulate multiple cancer related pathways such as PKB, AMPK, CAMKK-β, mTOR, PDHK, HIF-1α, and PPAR-γ. Cannabinoids can block cell growth, progression of cell cycle and induce apoptosis selectively in tumour cells. Cannabinoids can also enhance the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. These compounds have been used for the management of anorexia, queasiness, and pain in cancer patients. Cannabinoid based products such as dronabinol, nabilone, nabiximols, and epidyolex are now approved for medical use in cancer patients. Cannabinoids are reported to produce a favourable safety profile. However, psychoactive properties and poor bioavailability limit the use of some cannabinoids. The Academic Institutions across the globe are offering training courses on cannabis. How cannabis and its constituents exert anticancer activities is discussed in this article. We also discuss areas that require attention and more extensive research.