Abstract:
Cannabis sativa L. is one of the oldest plants used in traditional medicine. Lebanese cannabis is recognized around the world for its quality and recreational use; however, little is known about its medicinal importance. Cannabis is a distinctive plant containing a variety of compounds most notably cannabinoids and terpenoids. Cannabis oil extract (COE) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, which could be attributed to the interaction between terpenes and cannabinoids as “entourage effect”. In this study, we look at the anti-tumorigenic effects of Lebanese COE on non-small cell lung cancer cell line (NSCLC) A549 and the triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). GC-MS analysis of COE revealed CBD dominance (59.1%) followed by THC (20.2%). Cell viability was evaluated using MTS cell proliferation assay and COE demonstrated more selectivity against MDA-MB-231 (IC50 =26.7 μg/mL) and A549 (IC50 =30.2 μg/mL), compared to rat stem cells (IC50 =42.31 μg/mL). COE caused more significant cell migration inhibition in A549 cells than MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blot analysis showed significant increase in MAPK/ERK pathway and the autophagic marker LC3B. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry and western blot assay revealed a minor involvement of apoptosis in cell death. In conclusion, the results confirmed that COE has dose/time dependent effect and is effective in inhibiting cancer cell migration These results necessitate further studies to better understand the complex cell-death mechanisms of COE and provide supportive evidence for its use in cancer treatment.
