O247: In vitro exposure of gastric cancer cell line AGS to the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) results in cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Current curative therapeutic regimens for gastric cancer combine chemotherapy with surgery, though this approach is associated with morbidity and mortality and relatively low long-term survival when compared to other solid organ and gastro-intestinal tumours. Cannabinoids are known to have anti-cancer properties in some tumours, though their role in gastric cancer is relatively unknown. This study aimed to determine if the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) induces cytotoxicity in the gastric cancer cell line AGS. Method The gastric cancer cell line AGS was maintained as per recommended guidelines. When cells reached 70% confluence, they were seeded in 96 well plates and treated with CBD or cisplatin at concentrations ranging from 0.2 μM to 100 μM or vehicle control. After 96 hours contact time, cell viability was assessed using a colorimetric cell viability assay (MTT assay). Experiments were repeated independently four times. Cell viability at each concentration was recorded and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Results were expressed as the mean ± SE mean. Results Treatment with cisplatin induced significant cytotoxicity in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 concentration of 1.8 ± 0.3μM. Treatment with CBD also induced cytotoxicity in a dose dependent manner. Cytotoxic effects were observed with concentrations as low as 3.1μM (78% viability). The IC50 concentration for CBD was 10.2 ± 2.5 μM. Conclusions CBD induced significant cytotoxicity at micromolar concentration in stomach carcinoma cells. Further studies should be carried out to investigate the mechanisms of action that underpin the observed in vitro cytotoxic effect.