PMID: 

J Food Biochem. 2019 Jul ;43(7):e12897. Epub 2019 May 15. PMID: 31353736

Abstract Title: 

Kinetics of acetylcholinesterase inhibition by hemp seed protein-derived peptides.

Abstract: 

The aim of this work was to enhance the acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibitory activity of a pepsin-produced hemp seed protein hydrolysates (HPH) through reverse-phase HPLC separation followed by identification of peptide sequences present in the most active fraction. The HPH was separated into eight fractions (F1-F8) with F7 exhibiting significantly (p 

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PMID: 

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Nov ;31(11):1376-1381. PMID: 31567639

Abstract Title: 

Medical cannabis for inflammatory bowel disease: real-life experience of mode of consumption and assessment of side-effects.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: Use of medical cannabis for improving symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing. However, reports on long-term outcomes are lacking. This prospective, observational study assessed the effects of licensed cannabis use among patients with inflammatory bowel disease.METHODS: Dose and mode of consumption, adverse events, use of other medications, and long-term effects were evaluated among 127 patients with inflammatory bowel disease using legalized medical cannabis. Blood count, albumin, and C-reactive protein were assessed before, 1 month, and at least 1 year after medical cannabis therapy was initiated. Questionnaires on disease activity, patient function, and signs of addiction were completed by patients and by a significant family member to assess its effects.RESULTS: The average dose used was 31± 15 g/month. The average Harvey-Bradshaw index improved from 14 ± 6.7 to 7 ± 4.7 (P

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PMID: 

Swiss Med Wkly. 2019 Sep 23 ;149:w20124. Epub 2019 Sep 30. PMID: 31568558

Abstract Title: 

Acute effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on resting brain function.

Abstract: 

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent hallucinogenic substance that was extensively investigated by psychiatrists during the 1950s and 1960s. Researchers were interested in the unique effects induced by this substance, some of which resemble symptoms seen in schizophrenia. Moreover, during that period LSD was studied and used for the treatment of several mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, addiction and personality disorders. Despite this long history of research, how LSD induces its specific effects on a neuronal level has been relatively unclear. In recent years there has been a revival of research in hallucinogenic drugs and their possible clinical applications. These contemporary studies in the UK and Switzerland include neuroimaging studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In this review, we collect and interpret these recent neuroimaging findings. Overall, previous results across studies indicate that LSD administration is associated with extensive alterations in functional brain connectivity, measuring the correlated activities between different brain regions. The studies mostly reported increases in connectivity between regions and, more specifically, consistently found increased connectivity within the thalamocortical system. These latter observations are in agreement with models proposing that hallucinogenic drugs exert their effects by inhibiting cerebral filtering of external and internal data. However, studies also face several limitations, including potential biases of neuroimaging measurements.

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PMID: 

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2019 Sep 23:1-14. Epub 2019 Sep 23. PMID: 31544542

Abstract Title: 

Antiproliferative and antioxidant effect of polar hemp extracts (L., Fedora.) in human colorectal cell lines.

Abstract: 

Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of polar extracts of edible resources from Fedora hemp cultivar (L.), namely seed, flour and oil, were evaluated. The main components in the polar extracts were identified using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. As expected, the molecular profile of components from seeds and flour was strictly similar, dominated by N-trans-caffeoyltyramine. The profile of oil polar extracts contained hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and cannabinoids at lower extent. While the extracts from hemp seed and flour did not interfere with growth of Caco-2 and HT-29 cell, the one from oil (150 µg/mL) significantly reduced cell viability after 24 h of treatment. This effect was associated with the activation of apoptotic cell death and was independent from the antioxidant capacity of the oil polar extract. Notably, HT-29 cells differentiated with sodium butyrate were not sensitive tothe cytotoxic effect of the oil extract.

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PMID: 

Food Funct. 2019 Oct 2. Epub 2019 Oct 2. PMID: 31576391

Abstract Title: 

Neuroprotective protein hydrolysates from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds.

Abstract: 

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds are well known for their potential use as a source of nutrients, fiber, and bioactive compounds. A hemp protein isolate, prepared from defatted hemp flour, was hydrolyzed by alcalase and flavourzyme under specific conditions. The resulting hydrolysates were evaluated for the selection of potentially bioactive hemp protein hydrolysates (HPHs) owing to their DPPH scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power activity. In vitro cell-free experiments led to the identification of two bioactive HPHs, HPH20A and HPH60A + 15AF, which were used at 50 and 100μg mL-1 on BV-2 microglial cells in order to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory activities. Our results showed that HPH20A and HPH60A + 15AF down-regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. In addition, HPH20A and HPH60A + 15AF up-regulated the gene expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This study suggests for the first time that HPHs may improve the neuroinflammatory and inflammatory states, supporting the nutraceutical value of hemp seeds.

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PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Oct 5:112276. Epub 2019 Oct 5. PMID: 31593812

Abstract Title: 

Antinociceptive effects of Salvia divinorum and bioactive salvinorins in experimental pain models in mice.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salvia divinorum Epling&Játiva is a Mexican plant used not only in rituals but also in traditional medicine for pain relief. One of the most known bioactive compounds is salvinorin A, which acts centrally in kappa-type opioid receptors.AIM OF THE STUDY: Despite its traditional use as a medicinal plant, there is not enough scientific investigation to reinforce its potential as analgesic. In this study, Salvia divinorum antinociceptive activity was evaluated in experimental models of nociceptive pain; the writhing test and formalin-induced licking behavior in mice.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Different Salvia divinorum extracts were prepared by maceration at room temperature in increased polarity (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol). The ethyl acetate extract (EAEx) was chosen in order to be fractioned and to obtain a mixture of salvinorins. The antinociceptive effect of EAEx (3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) was compared with that of tramadol (a partial opioid agonist analgesic drug, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) and the mixture of salvinorins (30 mg/kg, i.p.). In addition, a participation of opioids (naloxone, NX 1 and/or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) and serotonin 5-HTreceptors (WAY100635, 0.32 mg/kg, i.p.) was investigated as possible inhibitory neurotransmission involved.RESULTS: As a result, the EAEx produced significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive effect concerning salvinorins constituents. This effect was blocked in the presence of NX and WAY100635 in the abdominal test, but only by NX in the formalin-induced licking behavior. Whereas, the effect of salvinorins mixture involved opioids and serotonin 5-HTreceptors.CONCLUSION: Data provide evidence of the potential of this species, where salvinorin A is in part responsible bioactive constituent involving participation of the opioids and/or 5-HTserotonin receptors depending on the kind of pain model explored.

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PMID: 

World J Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep 7 ;25(33):4933-4944. PMID: 31543684

Abstract Title: 

Proton pump inhibitor use increases mortality and hepatic decompensation in liver cirrhosis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed, often without clear indications. There are conflicting data on its association with mortality risk and hepatic decompensation in cirrhotic patients. Furthermore, PPI users and PPI exposure in some studies have been poorly defined with many confounding factors.AIM: To examine if PPI use increases mortality and hepatic decompensation and the impact of cumulative PPI dose exposure.METHODS: Data from patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were extracted from a hospital database between 2013 to 2017. PPI users were defined as cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD)≥ 28 within a landmark period, after hospitalisation for hepatic decompensation. Cox regression analysis for comparison was done after propensity score adjustment. Further risk of hepatic decompensation was analysed by Poisson regression.RESULTS: Among 295 decompensated cirrhosis patients, 238 were PPI users and 57 were non-users. PPI users had higher mortality compared to non-users [adjusted HR = 2.10, (1.20-3.67);= 0.009]. Longer PPI use with cDDD>90 was associated with higher mortality, compared to non-users [aHR = 2.27, (1.10-5.14);= 0.038]. PPI users had a higher incidence of hospitalization for hepatic decompensation [aRR = 1.61, (1.30-2.11);90 increases the risk of mortality.

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PMID: 

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019 ;9:324. Epub 2019 Sep 10. PMID: 31552202

Abstract Title: 

Cannabidiol Is a Novel Modulator of Bacterial Membrane Vesicles.

Abstract: 

Membrane vesicles (MVs) released from bacteria participate in cell communication and host-pathogen interactions. Roles for MVs in antibiotic resistance are gaining increased attention and in this study we investigated if known anti-bacterial effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid from, could be in part attributed to effects on bacterial MV profile and MV release. We found that CBD is a strong inhibitor of MV release from Gram-negative bacteria (VCS257), while inhibitory effect on MV release from Gram-positive bacteria (subspRosenbach) was negligible. When used in combination with selected antibiotics, CBD significantly increased the bactericidal action of several antibiotics in the Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, CBD increased antibiotic effects of kanamycin in the Gram-positive bacteria, without affecting MV release. CBD furthermore changed protein profiles of MVs released fromafter 1 h CBD treatment. Our findings indicate that CBD may pose as a putative adjuvant agent for tailored co-application with selected antibiotics, depending on bacterial species, to increase antibiotic activity, including via MV inhibition, and help reduce antibiotic resistance.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 26 ;20(19). Epub 2019 Sep 26. PMID: 31561450

Abstract Title: 

Enhancing Breast Cancer Treatment Using a Combination of Cannabidiol and Gold Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy.

Abstract: 

Indisputably, cancer is a global crisis that requires immediate intervention. Despite the use of conventional treatments over the past decades, it is acceptable to admit that these are expensive, invasive, associated with many side effects and, therefore, a reduced quality of life. One of the most possible solutions to this could be the use of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with cannabidiol (CBD), aderivative from the. Since the use ofhas always been associated with recreation and psychoactive qualities, the positive effects ofor its derivatives on cancer treatment have been misunderstood and hence misinterpreted. On the other hand, AuNP-PDT is the most favoured form of treatment for cancer, due to its augmented specificity and minimal risk of side effects compared to conventional treatments. However, its use requires the consideration of several physical, biologic, pharmacologic and immunological factors, which may hinder its effectiveness if not taken into consideration. In this review, the role of gold nanoparticle mediated PDT combined with CBD treatment on breast cancer cells will be deliberated.

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PMID: 

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2019 Oct 3. Epub 2019 Oct 3. PMID: 31587870

Abstract Title: 

The evaluation of Cannabidiol's effect on the immunotherapy of Burkitt lymphoma.

Abstract: 

AIM: AF1q has a precise oncogenic function. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether CBD has an effect on the AF1q/ICAM-1 regulatory axis in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), and thus has potential to enhance immunotherapy and reduce side effects.METHODS: We established BL cell lines with altered AF1q expression using lentivirus. After confirmation of gene expression by RT-PCR, cells were treated with CBD followed by co-culture of killing assay.RESULTS: AF1q increased oncogenic growth and colony formation, and induced resistance against cell-mediated cytotoxic chemotherapy through attenuation of ICAM-1 expression in BL. CBD was able to reverse the acquired resistance mediated by AF1q/ICAM-1 regulatory axis.CONCLUSION: CBD holds potential to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for BL with hyperactive AF1q/ICAM-1 regulatory axis, and warrants further study.

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