Abstract
Among the various innovative products obtainable from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) waste biomass originating from different industrial processes, the essential oil (EO) deserves special attention in order to understand its possible application in different fields, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and botanical insecticides. For the purpose, in the present work, we studied the chemical composition of EOs obtained from different hemp varieties, namely Felina 32 and Carmagnola Selezionata (CS) using monoecious, male, and female inflorescences, and we evaluated their mosquitocidal activities on larvae and pupae of two main malaria vectors, Anopheles gambiae and An. stephensi. Then, in order to evaluate the safe use of hemp EOs for operators, the potential pro- or anti-inflammatory effect of hemp EOs together with their toxicological profile were determined on dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Given the promising results obtained by insecticidal and anti-inflammatory studies, a preliminary evaluation of EOs encapsulation into nanoemulsions (NEs) has been performed with the aim to develop a formulation able to improve their poor physicochemical stability. Felina 32 and CS inflorescences provided EOs with an interesting chemical profile, with monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons as the major components. This study highlighted the potential application of male inflorescences, which are usually discharged during hemp product processing. These EOs could be exploited as potential sustainable and eco-friendly insecticides, given their capability to be toxic against mosquitoes and the possibility to use them to prepare stable and safe formulations. The LC50 values found in this study (<80 ppm) are lower, on average, than those of many plant EOs, with the advantage of using an industrial waste product. From MTT assay and gene and protein expression analysis, EOs showed no cytotoxicity at the appropriate doses and exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on the human cell lines tested. These findings encourage further applied research on hemp EOs in order support their industrial exploitation.
Highlights
The cultivation of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in the European Union is steadily increasing, thanks to the community policies aimed at improving low-impact agricultural techniques and at valorizing the agricultural and quality productions
The LC50 values found in this study are lower than the average of those of many essential oil (EO) extracted from plants [43], with the advantage of using an industrial waste product
We investigated the potential application of the EOs obtained from industrial hemp as mosquitocidal agents
Summary
The cultivation of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in the European Union is steadily increasing, thanks to the community policies aimed at improving low-impact agricultural techniques and at valorizing the agricultural and quality productions. In Italy, around 4000 ha are cultivated with hemp by farms, for an estimated income of about 40 million euros. In this scenario, it is very important to develop innovative products from this multipurpose crop. Plant EOs have shown potential to be used for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, and parasiticidal properties [4,5,6,7,8]. In this respect, hemp EO has hitherto received little attention
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