Anti-cancer Evaluation of Lebanese Cannabis Oil Extract on Lung and Breast Cancer Cells

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.