Antitumor Activity of Cannabis sativa L. Extract on Liver Cancer in Nude Mice Xenograft Model
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Abstract
Introduction and objective: The most common cancer among Thai people is liver cancer. The use of cannabis botanicals for liver cancer therapies has generated widespread interest. Concerns about efficacy and side effects need to be further investigated.
Methods: Liver cancer (HepG2 cell line) was induced in BALB/c nude mice by subcutaneously injecting 10x106 cells in 100µl into the flank and Tanaosri Kan Daeng cannabis leaf extract (CSRD1) was fed to mice at doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day for 24 days. Tumor growth was monitored by measuring with a vernier caliper and in vivo imaging technique.
Results: The study's findings demonstrated a significant reduction in the liver tumor size measured by vernier caliper in the nude mice xenograft model when 10 mg/kg/day of CSRD1 extract was given orally. However, no significant differences were found between the test groups compared to the control group by imaging and analyzing fluorescent signals in experimental animals (in vivo imaging).
Discussion: CSRD1 extract demonstrated a significant reduction in xenograft liver tumor size may be due to the effect of CB1 receptor on intracellular signaling pathways, which inhibits cancer cell migration, cell adhesion, cell proliferation and activates apoptosis. No significant differences were found in fluorescent signals analyzed using in vivo imaging technique due to the limitation of this method caused by tumor hypoxia.
Conclusion and recommendation: CSRD1 extract has shown potential in reducing the size of liver tumors in nude mice xenograft models. Further study is required to investigate its inhibitory effects on metastatic cancer cells. This study could be beneficial in exploring the potential medical applications of cannabis extracts.
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