Efficiency and safety of cannabis extract in cancer cell cultures

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most public health problems. Currently, no treatment or drug are available to completely cure the cancer. Finding a specific treatment, targeted therapy and techniques to alleviate symptoms to increase the quality of life of cancer patients,such as reducing or alleviating adverse reactions from chemotherapy and radiotherapy enhancing appetite, increasing sleep quality or reducing pain are important. Nowadays,several strains of cannabis had been used in medical practices including Issara 01 strain (Cannabis sativa L.). The cannabis extract prepared from the inflorescences of Issara 01 strain composted of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), Cannabigerol (CBG) and Cannabidiol (CBD) at concentration of 77.57+1.80 µg/mL, 35.84+0.71 µg/ mL, 0.75+0.05 µg/ mL, and 0.05 µg/mg, respectively. This study aimed to investigate the toxicity effect of this cannabis extract at different concentrations on cancer cells by using in vitro assay of cultivated two-dimensional cell cultures including lung cancer cells, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and cervical cancer. The results found that the inhibition or cytotoxicity of cannabis extract was mainly presented in breast cancer HCC 1937 and lung cancer NCI-H2170 at concentrations of 11.0+1.0 µg/mL and 16.45+3.39 µg/mL,respectively.This study concluded that although, Issara 01 strain composed of high THC and low CBD, it can inhibit cancer cells growth or be toxic to cancer cells. Therefore, this cannabis extract could be used as an optional medicine in cancer patients.