Search Results (278)

Drought is a major constraint on Cannabis sativa productivity and cannabinoid yield, yet the physiological mechanisms underlying genotypic variation in drought responses remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that (i) more vigorous genotypes would sustain higher photosynthetic rates, (ii) drought would constrain photosynthesis through both diffusional and non-diffusional limitations, and (iii) water deficits would alter cannabinoid production in a genotype-dependent manner. To test these hypotheses, two contrasting genotypes (one tetrahydrocannabinol- (THC) dominant and another cannabidiol- (CBD) dominant) were grown under greenhouse conditions, with water deficit imposed at early flowering. Water deficit induced neither osmotic nor elastic adjustment in either genotype. Although CBD plants accumulated more biomass, they did not exhibit higher photosynthetic rates under well-watered conditions. Under drought, THC plants relied primarily on stomatal regulation, whereas CBD plants showed additional nonstomatal impairments, resulting in stronger declines in photosynthesis. Despite contrasting photoprotective adjustments, both genotypes converged to similar oxidative damage, suggesting that photoprotection was not decisive for their physiological divergence. At the agronomic level, THC plants maintained a higher harvest index under drought, greater baseline cannabinoid concentrations, and inflorescence biomass with higher energetic value. In CBD plants, drought-induced reductions in cannabinoid content and harvest index largely reflected greater photosynthetic impairment and less efficient carbon use. Overall, the resilience of C. sativa to drought imposed at early flowering appears to depend less on hydraulic stability and more on sustaining photosynthetic performance, secondary metabolism, and efficient biomass partitioning. These traits represent key targets for breeding genotypes better adapted to cultivation under increasingly variable water availability. Full article

The current investigation involved preliminary laboratory research regarding the accumulation capacity of three types of hyperaccumulator plants when specific soil factors are altered during their cultivation. Three different plants participated in this experiment, namely, milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaerth), industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), which were cultivated in two soils with different pH values, yet containing similar levels of metal pollutants. ABC fire extinguisher powder (FP), which had been tested in the past and found to cause a significant change in nutrient availability, was added to the soils. The FP was added at 1% v/v and, in order to facilitate its fast incorporation into the soil, the soil moisture was maintained at 60–65%. The experiment was conducted in pots where the plants were grown in contaminated soils, with and without the FP addition. The pseudo-total (after extraction with Aqua Regia), available (after extraction with DTPA), and water-soluble concentrations (after extraction with CaCl₂ solution) of Cd, Cr, and Cu were determined in the soils. The plants completed their growth cycle (in 112, 128, and 139 days, respectively), were harvested, and the metal concentrations were assessed after extraction with Aqua Regia, both in the underground and above-ground parts. FP addition caused a significant decrease in the availability of each of the three metals, yet mainly Cr, as it caused a maximum reduction of 19.6% and 16.0% in the rate of water-soluble and available (after extraction with DTPA) Cr, respectively, in relation to the total Cr concentration in acidic soil, revealing the decisive role played by soil reaction in metal availability. FP addition caused a significant Cd reduction in accumulation in the above-ground parts of cultivated plants in the order of hemp > thistle > tobacco. FP use appears to significantly alter the plant-to-soil metal transfer, affecting the plants’ ability to accumulate Cd, Cr, and Cu. Apparently, this material, disposed of in the environment, could be a useful and low-cost soil conditioner, in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil is recognized as a valuable oil due to its beneficial fatty acid profile, which includes a favorable balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, making it highly desirable for edible and bioproduct applications. Crude hempseed oil contains high concentrations of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and other amphiphilic compounds that can negatively affect its appearance, stability, and downstream processing. Therefore, bleaching is a crucial step in removing these pigments after the degumming and neutralization processes. To optimize the bleaching process, a Box–Behnken response surface methodology was employed, focusing on three factors: time (15, 30, 45 min), temperature (100, 120, 140 °C), and bleaching earth concentration (2.5, 5, and 7.5% w/w). The key response variables were β-carotene, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant activity. For chlorophyll removal, bleaching earth concentration accounted for 83.82% and 81.84% of the variation in the solvent-extracted and mechanically extracted oils, respectively. For β-carotene, the bleaching earth concentration accounted for over 93% of the variation in both types of oil. The optimal bleaching earth concentrations were determined to be 4.87% and 5.36% for the solvent-extracted and mechanically extracted oils, respectively, to achieve the target chlorophyll level of ≤150 ppb. Mechanically extracted oil had lower antioxidant activity after bleaching compared to solvent-extracted oil. The addition of bleaching earth, up to 5%, removed polar antioxidants, further lowering the oil’s antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that optimizing bleaching conditions can significantly affect both pigment removal and the antioxidant profile of the final product. Full article

The cannabidiol (CBD)-rich cannabis extract CAN296 shows anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity relevant to oral lichen planus (OLP), oral graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but its high lipophilicity limits aqueous dispersion. This study developed a stable Tween-based nanoemulsion optimized for oral mucosal delivery. Ethanol-dissolved CAN296 was nanoemulsified using a 1% Tween/Span system. Physical stability was visually assessed; droplet size and morphology were examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM); and wettability was measured by static contact angle (SCA). Additional evaluations included temperature stability (25 °C vs. 4 °C), in vitro release using a dialysis membrane, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of membrane-associated droplets. Nanoemulsions with ≥80% Tween 80 incorporated CAN296 up to 800 µg/mL, clear at 400 µg/mL, and uniformly turbid at 800 µg/mL. DLS and TEM confirmed spherical nanoscale droplets, and SCA indicated favorable cohesion and wettability. Stability was maintained for 30 days at 4 °C. Dialysis studies demonstrated strong membrane association with limited diffusion, supported by SEM visualization of membrane-bound droplets. The Tween-dominant (≥80%) nanoemulsion stably incorporated CAN296 up to 800 µg/mL, demonstrated nanoscale uniformity, improved 4 °C stability, and strong membrane retention under static conditions, suggesting potential for localized oral delivery. Full article

Sore throat, commonly associated with pharyngitis and tonsillitis, is primarily caused by bacterial pathogens. Conventional therapies rely on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs; however, concerns about adverse effects, antibiotic resistance, and drug interactions have encouraged the search for alternative remedies. Cannabis sativa L. (CS) has demonstrated potential in relieving sore throat and inflammation, while propolis, a bee-derived natural product, exhibits notable antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to investigate the enhanced antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of combining CS and propolis extracts (PE). Results found that CS and PE exhibited antibacterial effects against Streptococcus pyogenes DMST 4369, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. Their combination produced additive antibacterial effects against S. pyogenes and S. aureus. Cannabidiol (CBD) was identified as an active antibacterial constituent against S. pyogenes. Additionally, the PE-CBD in CS solution combination at concentration 625:0.125 µg/mL significantly reduced NO production and suppressed proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated macrophages. This study highlights the enhanced antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential of the C. sativa and propolis combination, emphasizing the need to verify synergistic effects and determine the appropriate ratio for rational product development. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action, particularly the anti-inflammatory pathways, in animal models. In addition, studies on hepatotoxicity should be conducted to ensure safety. Full article

This study evaluates fermented raw-dried pork snacks enriched with plant-based functional ingredients—lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis), rosehip (Rosa canina), sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), and a hemp-derived CBD oil (Cannabis sativa)—produced from pork, with addition of cow sour whey and salt. We use “human grade” descriptively (compliance with human-food hygiene/microbiological requirements; no AAFCO/labeling claim). Functional enrichment modulated viscoelasticity (G′, G″), texture, water activity, density, and color. CBD oil softened the structure, increasing chewability and springiness, whereas TPA metrics were analyzed only for variants within the instrument range (control, CBD, rosehip). All variants reached a_w < 0.90 and tested negative for Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in 25 g. Safety inferences are limited to a_w- and pathogen-based criteria. Sea buckthorn showed the highest a_w, while rosehip displayed the highest total viable counts (~10⁸ CFU/g); microbiological results are reported descriptively without inferential statistics. Density was the highest for lion’s mane and rosehip. Proximate composition varied (e.g., higher protein with rosemary oil; higher fat/moisture with sea buckthorn) but was assessed by FoodScan™ 2 as screening-level data. Overall, selected botanicals enabled targeted structure–texture modulation without breaching predefined safety targets under the tested conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: According to the World Drug Report 2025, cannabis is the most abused drug in the world, being sold in illicit markets in various physical forms ranging from herbal cannabis to cannabis resin and liquid cannabis. Currently, the methods used for cannabis identification are largely based on the morphological features and chemical content of the product. In this respect, identification could be severely impacted if the product is highly fragmented or pulverised. As such, DNA-based molecular techniques offer a viable alternative detection approach. In this study, we have developed a robust DNA testing method for cannabis identification, with high sensitivity and specificity. Methods/Results: Two plant DNA barcode regions, rbcL and matK, were successfully amplified in a cohort of 54 cannabis plant samples. DNA sequences obtained from these samples were blast-searched against GenBank and resulted in returned matched identity of at least 99% compared to their corresponding Cannabis sativa reference sequences. In addition, the amplification of two cannabis-unique markers, the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) and cannabidiolic acid synthase (CBDAS) genes, produced amplicons with expected sizes only in cannabis samples; these amplicons were not detected in those plants closely related to cannabis. Sequence comparison of the majority of samples yielded at least 97% matched identity against C. sativa reference sequences in GenBank. The THCAS and CBDAS markers detected only the cannabis DNA in varying levels of cannabis–hops and cannabis–tobacco DNA mixtures. Lastly, the use of the four markers could effectively differentiate between cannabis and non-cannabis in 27 blinded samples, including 18 actual casework samples. Conclusions: In conclusion, these four genetic markers can be used to discriminate cannabis from other plant species at the genus level, especially in challenging forensic samples lacking morphological features which therefore cannot be determined by traditional detection methods. As such, this method can complement existing techniques to identify a myriad of cannabis samples. Full article

Cannabis plants are susceptible to microbial contamination, including fungi capable of producing harmful mycotoxins. The presence of these toxins in cannabis products poses serious health risks, especially when used for medical purposes in immunocompromised people. This study evaluated the presence of fungi and mycotoxins in dried cannabis buds following gamma irradiation, using culture-based techniques, PCR/qPCR, and ELISA. Irradiation significantly reduced fungal and bacterial loads, eliminating culturable bacteria but did not achieve complete sterilization. Viable spores of toxigenic fungal genera, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium, persisted. Sequencing of ITS amplicons revealed dominant mycotoxigenic fungi in non-irradiated (NR), irradiated (IR) and licensed producer (LP) samples, while next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed additional non-culturable toxigenic species. PCR/qPCR detected biosynthetic genes for aflatoxins, trichothecenes, ochratoxins, and deoxynivalenol across all samples, with gene copy numbers remaining stable post-irradiation, suggesting DNA damage without full degradation. ELISA confirmed aflatoxin, ochratoxin, DON, and T2 toxins in both IR and LP samples at variable concentrations. While LP samples showed lower microbial counts and gene abundance, residual DNA and toxins were still detected. Our study shows that while irradiation decreases microbial loads, it does not completely remove toxigenic fungi or their metabolites. Ensuring the safety of cannabis products necessitates a multifaceted assessment that incorporates cultural, molecular, and immunological techniques, in parallel with more stringent microbial standards during production stage. Full article

Excessive social media use (ESMU) may negatively impact college students. Less is known about whether cannabis use may influence ESMU. This study assessed the association between current cannabis use and ESMU in addition to cannabis use risk and ESMU among U.S. college students. An analysis of the 2022–2023 American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment dataset including 65,052 college students aged 18–24-years old was performed. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were analyzed. In total, 23.2% of college students reported current cannabis use within the past 30 days. The unadjusted and adjusted logistic model results indicated that college students reporting current cannabis use were at increased odds of reporting ESMU compared to college students not reporting current cannabis use (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.16–1.28; AOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.20–1.34, respectively). Furthermore, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression results demonstrated that college students with moderate cannabis use risk (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.12–1.30; AOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.12–1.30) or high cannabis use risk (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.50–2.11; AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.53–2.16) were at increased odds of reporting ESMU compared to college students with low cannabis use risk. U.S. college students who currently use cannabis, especially those exhibiting a moderate or high cannabis use risk, are at an increased odds of excessively using social media sites. Full article

The remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and radionuclides remains a significant environmental challenge. This study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in soil collected from a historical evaporation dam, characterized by high levels of diverse metals, including Al, Cr, Fe, and radioactive elements (U, Th). Three treatments were applied: a control, a metal-spiked treatment (chelated with citric acid), and an NPK + spike treatment. A separate six-month greenhouse trial compared plants grown with and without NPK nutrients. Results demonstrated that the addition of a chelating agent significantly enhanced the bioavailability and subsequent uptake of key metals, including U, Se, and Pd. NPK fertilization combined with chelation resulted in the greatest plant biomass (≈4.5 g) and height (>18 cm), which correlated with higher total metal accumulation. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF > 1) were highest for B, Sr, Cd, and Bi, with values for Cd and U reaching 1.3 and 2.1, respectively. Foliar analysis revealed that leaves accumulated significantly higher metal concentrations than stems (e.g., Translocation Factor (TF) ~ 2.0 for Cd, Pb, and U), acting as the primary sink. This study concludes that hemp, particularly when assisted with chelating agents and adequate nutrition, is a highly effective candidate for the phytoremediation of multi-metal contaminated soils. The NPK + chelation strategy is the most promising for maximizing both biomass production and metal extraction efficiency. Full article

Bast fibrous plants are recognized as potential sources of pectin, yet the structural characteristics and functional properties of pectic polysaccharides derived from these plants remain insufficiently investigated. In this study, three pectic polysaccharides (HP, KP, and RP) were isolated from the bast fibers of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp), Hibiscus cannabinus L. (kenaf), and Boehmeria nivea L. (ramie) using an ammonium oxalate solution. Their chemical composition, monosaccharide profile, molecular weight, microstructure, and functional groups were analyzed by spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. These polysaccharides exhibited remarkable uronic acid content (50.49–61.14%), a relatively low degree of esterification (19.51–34.26%), and high molecular weights ranging from 147.10 to 242.16 kDa. The predominant neutral sugars identified were rhamnose, arabinose, and galactose. Furthermore, HP, KP, and RP demonstrated superior thermal stability, emulsifying properties, water/oil holding capacity, and cholesterol binding ability compared with commercial citrus pectin (CP). They also exhibited stronger radical scavenging activity, with KP showing particularly notable antioxidant performance (IC₅₀ = 1856 and 1485 μg/mL for the DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively). Overall, these findings indicate that bast fibrous plants are promising alternative sources of pectic polysaccharides with favorable antioxidant properties, supporting their potential application as food additives or functional ingredients. Full article

This study investigates whether publicly listed cannabis shares provide enough risk-adjusted returns to warrant their incorporation into diversified portfolios. An equally weighted portfolio of cannabis companies is constructed using monthly data from January 2015 to December 2024. Risk-adjusted performance is assessed using the Sharpe, Sortino, and Omega ratios and compared to the Russell 3000 Index and the FTSE All-World ex-US Index. In addition, we estimate both unconditional and conditional Fama–French five-factor model enhanced by momentum. The findings indicate that cannabis stocks persistently underperform U.S. and global benchmarks in both absolute and risk-adjusted metrics. Downside risk is elevated because cannabis portfolios exhibit much higher value at risk (VaR) and conditional value at risk (CVaR) than broad indices, especially after COVID-19. The findings show that cannabis stocks are quite volatile and fail to generate significant returns on a risk-adjusted basis. The study highlights the sector’s structural vulnerabilities and cautions investors, portfolio managers, and regulators against treating cannabis shares as dependable long-term investments. Full article

Recently, there has been rising interest in the use of cannabis and its derivatives as therapeutic tools to support brain health, particularly in athletes. Cannabis-based substances interact with the endogenous cannabinoid (i.e., endocannabinoid) system, which is involved in widespread physiological processes that contribute to brain function. In other work, the benefits of exercise for brain health have been prominently noted. Despite large bodies of work on both cannabinoid and exercise influences on brain function, there is an understudied overlap in their physiological effects that may be especially important in athletic populations regularly engaged in high volumes of exercise. This narrative review describes mechanistic overlaps between cannabinoid and exercise effects on brain function. The literature search was broad, emphasizing research published since 2010 and including randomized clinical trials, observational studies, case studies, preclinical work, both human and animal studies, and information presented in related review articles. The focal point of the current review is the potentially overlapping effects of cannabinoids and exercise on brain function via physiological processes underpinning inflammation, vascular function, and neuroplasticity. Mechanisms are described in detail with consideration of common and contrasting influences of cannabinoids and exercise on the brain. Altogether, the compiled information suggests that indirect and direct interactions between these two therapeutic avenues have potential to introduce additive, synergistic, or opposing effects. Considering such interactions will be critical in optimizing therapeutic strategies involving cannabinoids as they are increasingly applied in the sport sciences and beyond. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), represent one of the main global health challenges. Cannabis sativa synthesizes spermidine-type alkaloids, whose potential biological activities have been little studied. This study aimed to isolate bioactive alkaloids from an alkaloid-enriched extract (AEE) of C. sativa roots throughout a bioguided approach using conventional chromatographic techniques based on AChE and BuChE inhibitory activities. A qualitative and semiquantitative analysis by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS as well as molecular modeling simulations were performed. In addition, predictive in silico analyses were conducted to assess toxicity properties. The alkaloids cannabisativine (CS) and anhydrocannabisativine (ACS) were isolated, and showed highly selective BuChE inhibitory activity. The molecular modeling study revealed a conserved interaction profile across both alkaloids, indicating the amino acids TRP82, GLU197, TYR440, and HIS438 as the major contributors involved in the complex formation. Finally, CS and ACS exhibited low in silico predictive toxicity values. In conclusion, CS and ACS alkaloids emerge as new selective BuChE inhibitors with therapeutic potential that deserves the attention from the field of pharmacology in neurodegenerative disease research. Additionally, this approach promotes innovation and environmental sustainability through the use of C. sativa roots. Full article

Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) are associated with an imbalanced time perspective (TP) as well as with unhealthy substance use. Although neurodevelopmental processes during adolescence may impact PTSS, most etiological models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are derived from studies with adults and neglect possible distinctive characteristics in adolescent PTSD. This study examined possible direct and mediated relations between exposure to potentially traumatic experiences (EPTEs) and PTSS with TP as a potential mediator. In addition, the study investigated the direct and indirect effects of EPTE, TP, and PTSS on cannabis use. The aim of this study was to investigate whether findings from adult studies can be transferred to adolescent PTSD. One hundred and five patients between 14 and 20 years of age were recruited from child and adolescent psychiatric units. They answered questionnaires to assess EPTE, PTSS, TP, and cannabis use. Participants with clinically relevant PTSS showed imbalanced TP with a high orientation to negative past and a low orientation to positive past and future. Higher EPTE was associated with higher level of PTSS, but TP mediated the level of PTSS in this relation. PTSS predicted the frequency of cannabis use. It may therefore be beneficial to consider TP in PTSD therapy with the aim of reducing deviation from balanced TP and PTSS and preventing comorbid substance use. Full article