Abstract
Oncological diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, it is estimated that 25% of the population will face the diagnosis of cancer during life. Phytochemicals such as cannabinoids (CBs) have been used in various branches of medicine for their properties, and the discovery of the anti-tumor, anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory effects of some of these substances has encouraged their use in oncology. Phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ-9-tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC), have numerous anti-emetic, analgesic, orexigenic, anti-inflammatory / immunosuppressive pharmacodynamic effects. In recent years, studies have been aimed at evaluating their efficacy as antineoplastic agents. Much in vivo and in vitro research has demonstrated the efficacy of CBs on certain tumor cell lines, highlighting their potential role in the complementary treatment of cancer. This paper suggests that exploring the molecular mechanisms induced by CBs in cancer cells may contribute to the development of effective treatments in oncological diseases.
Highlights
The cannabis plant has been used for ages in medical therapy
tetra hydrocannabinol (THC), in the synthetic form known as dronabinol (Marinol®), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for antiemetic and stimulation of appetite, used by patients with AIDS and patients with loss of body weigh [6,7,8,9]
THC induces apoptosis, and its effects are increased in concomitant treatment with CBD, which may increase the chemotherapeutic effect of cisplatin in animal models with melanoma [25]
Summary
People have been using cannabis for over 5,000 years, the first the discoveries are from China. Phytocannabinoids, CBD and THC reduce nausea and vomiting, especially during chemotherapy. This is due to their ability to reduce the release of serotonin from enterochromafin cells in the small intestine [22]. CBs, such as CBD and THC, have demonstrated antitumor properties in vivo and in vitro in melanoma [24]. THC induces apoptosis, and its effects are increased in concomitant treatment with CBD, which may increase the chemotherapeutic effect of cisplatin in animal models with melanoma [25]. This paper suggests that exploring the molecular mechanisms induced by CBs in cancer cells may contribute to the development of effective treatments in oncological diseases
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