Specific Compositions of Cannabis sativa Compounds Have Cytotoxic Activity and Inhibit Motility and Colony Formation of Human Glioblastoma Cells In Vitro

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal subtype of glioma. Cannabis sativa is used for the treatment of various medical conditions. Around 150 phytocannabinoids have been identified in C. sativa, among them Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) that trigger GBM cell death. However, the optimal combinations of cannabis molecules for anti-GBM activity are unknown. Chemical composition was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Cytotoxic activity was determined by XTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays and apoptosis and cell cycle by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). F-actin structures were observed by confocal microscopy, gene expression by quantitative PCR, and cell migration and invasion by scratch and transwell assays, respectively. Fractions of a high-THC cannabis strain extract had significant cytotoxic activity against GBM cell lines and glioma stem cells derived from tumor specimens. A standard mix (SM) of the active fractions F4 and F5 induced apoptosis and expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress associated-genes. F4 and F5 inhibited cell migration and invasion, altered cell cytoskeletons, and inhibited colony formation in 2 and 3-dimensional models. Combinations of cannabis compounds exert cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, and anti-migratory effects and should be examined for efficacy on GBM in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials

Phytocannabinoids Act Synergistically with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Reducing Inflammation in 2D and 3D In Vitro Models

Lung inflammation is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Treatment with FCBD:std (standard mix of cannabidiol [CBD], cannabigerol [CBG] and tetrahydrocannabivarin [THCV]) leads to a marked reduction in the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells, but not in macrophages. In the present study, the combined anti-inflammatory effect of FCBD:std with two corticosteroids (dexamethasone and budesonide) and two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID; ibuprofen and diclofenac), was examined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine protein levels. Gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) activity was determined in vitro. FCBD:std and diclofenac act synergistically, reducing IL-8 levels in macrophages and lung epithelial cells. FCBD:std plus diclofenac also reduced IL-6, IL-8 and CCL2 expression levels in co-cultures of macrophages and lung epithelial cells, in 2D and 3D models. Treatment by FCBD:std and/or NSAID reduced COX-1 and COX-2 gene expression but not their enzymatic activity. FCBD:std and diclofenac exhibit synergistic anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages and lung epithelial cells, yet this combined activity needs to be examined in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials

Phytocannabinoid Compositions from Cannabis Act Synergistically with PARP1 Inhibitor against Ovarian Cancer Cells In Vitro and Affect the Wnt Signaling Pathway

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the single most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Cannabis sativa is used to treat various medical conditions, and is cytotoxic to a variety of cancer types. We sought to examine the effectiveness of different combinations of cannabis compounds against OC. Cytotoxic activity was determined by XTT assay on HTB75 and HTB161 cell lines. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Gene expression was determined by quantitative PCR and protein localization by confocal microscopy. The two most active fractions, F5 and F7, from a high Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis strain extract, and their standard mix (SM), showed cytotoxic activity against OC cells and induced cell apoptosis. The most effective phytocannabinoid combination was THC+cannabichromene (CBC)+cannabigerol (CBG). These fractions acted in synergy with niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, and were ~50-fold more cytotoxic to OC cells than to normal keratinocytes. The F7 and/or niraparib treatments altered Wnt pathway-related gene expression, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and β-catenin cellular localization. The niraparib+F7 treatment was also effective on an OC patient’s cells. Given the fact that combinations of cannabis compounds and niraparib act in synergy and alter the Wnt signaling pathway, these phytocannabinoids should be examined as effective OC treatments in further pre-clinical studies and clinical trials

Base Induced Condensation of Malononitrile with Erlenmeyer Azlactones: An Unexpected Synthesis of Multi-Substituted Delta(2)-Pyrrolines and Their Cytotoxicity

An efficient, metal free approach to synthesize multi-substituted Delta(2)-pyrroline derivatives by mild base catalyzed cyclocondensation of malononitrile with Erlenmeyer azlactones via 1,2 addition was developed. The modularity of this reaction was used to assemble a range of poly-substituted pyrrolines. Further, synthesized products were screened for cytotoxic properties on different cancer cell lines such as A549 (Human lung adenocarcinoma cells), HeLa (Human cervical adenocarcinoma cells), Jurkat (Human chronic myeloid leukemia cells) and K562 (Human leukemic T cell Lymphoblast cells). Among the synthesized library of compounds, 6f and 6q displayed potent cytotoxic activity

Cannabis-Derived Compounds Cannabichromene and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Interact and Exhibit Cytotoxic Activity against Urothelial Cell Carcinoma Correlated with Inhibition of Cell Migration and Cytoskeleton Organization

Cannabis sativa contains more than 500 constituents, yet the anticancer properties of the vast majority of cannabis compounds remains unknown. We aimed to identify cannabis compounds and their combinations presenting cytotoxicity against bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC), the most common urinary system cancer. An XTT assay was used to determine cytotoxic activity of C. sativa extracts on T24 and HBT-9 cell lines. Extract chemical content was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used to determine apoptosis and cell cycle, using stained F-actin and nuclei. Scratch and transwell assays were used to determine cell migration and invasion, respectively. Gene expression was determined by quantitative Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The most active decarboxylated extract fraction (F7) of high-cannabidiol (CBD) C. sativa was found to contain cannabichromene (CBC) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Synergistic interaction was demonstrated between CBC + THC whereas cannabinoid receptor (CB) type 1 and type 2 inverse agonists reduced cytotoxic activity. Treatments with CBC + THC or CBD led to cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. CBC + THC or CBD treatments inhibited cell migration and affected F-actin integrity. Identification of active plant ingredients (API) from cannabis that induce apoptosis and affect cell migration in UC cell lines forms a basis for pre-clinical trials for UC treatment

Physical and chemical characteristics of new Ibuprofen derivatives.

<p>Physical and chemical characteristics of new Ibuprofen derivatives.</p

Effect of compound 4f on A23187 induced (A) Endogenous generation of ROS (B) Intracellular calcium levels (C) Mitochondrial membrane depolarization and (D) Peroxidation of cardiolipin in PRP and washed platelets.

<p>Values are presented as mean ± SEM (n = 5), expressed as percentage increase in DCF fluorescence (for ROS), percentage increase in Fura-2/AM fluorescence (intracellular calcium), Rhodamine 123 fluorescence (ΔΨ<i>m</i>) and NAO fluorescence (cardiolipin), relative to control. ***<i>p</i><0.001; significant compared to control. ^#<i>p</i><0.05, ^##<i>p</i><0.01, ^###<i>p</i><0.001; significant compared to A23187.</p

Effect of compound 4f on A23187 induced (A) Translocation of cytosolic cytochrome C and activation of caspase-3 (B) Caspase-9 and (C) Caspase-3 activities and (D) PS externalization in PRP and washed platelets.

<p>Values are presented as mean ± SEM (n = 5), expressed as percentage increase in (B & C) caspase activity and (D) Annexin V-FITC fluorescence and expressed as percentage increase in apoptotic platelets expressing PS relative to control. ***<i>p</i><0.001; significant compared to control. ^#<i>p</i><0.05, ^##<i>p</i><0.01, ^###<i>p</i><0.001; significant compared to A23187.</p

Efficacy of Ibuprofen and its derivatives measured in terms of (A) Reduction potential (B) DPPH radical scavenging activity in comparison with Quercetin.

<p>Values are presented as mean ± SEM (n = 5).</p

Effect of compound 4f on (A) Collagen induced protein phosphorylation (B) A23187 induced γ-glutamyltransferase activity (C) MTT cell viability assay (D) LDH release in platelets.

<p>(A) Lane I- resting platelets (untreated). Lane II- platelets treated with Collagen (1 µg/mL). Lanes III, IV and V- pre-loaded platelets with collagen and incubated with 4f in increasing concentration of 25, 50 and 100 µM respectively. Values are presented as mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***<i>p</i><0.001; significant compared to control. ^#<i>p</i><0.05, ^##<i>p</i><0.01, ^###<i>p</i><0.001; significant compared to agonist.</p