An International Journal of Molecular Sciences study has found that cannabinoids have a toxic effect on colon polyps, indicating therapeutic potential in battling colon cancer cells.
“Purified cannabinoids have been shown to prevent proliferation and induce apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma cell lines”, claims the abstract of the study. The primary objective was to “assess the cytotoxic effect of cannabinoid extracts and purified cannabinoids on both colorectal polyps and normal colonic cells, as well as their synergistic interaction.”
For the study, various cannabinoid blends were tested to identify the optimal synergistic effect. Biopsies from polyps and healthy colonic tissue were obtained from 22 patients undergoing colonic polypectomies.
The toxicity of a variety of cannabinoid extracts and purified cannabinoids at different concentrations was evaluated, and the “synergistic effect of cannabinoids was calculated based on the cells’ survival.”
Isolated cannabinoids “illustrated different toxic effects on the viability of cells derived from colorectal polyps.”
The study found that “THC-d8 and THC-d9 were the most toxic and exhibited persistent toxicity in all the polyps tested. CBD was more toxic to polypoid cells in comparison to normal colonic cells.”
“The combinations of the cannabinoids CBDV, THCV, CBDVA, CBCA, and CBGA exhibited a synergistic inhibitory effect on the viability of cells derived from colon polyps of patients”, found the study. “Isolated cannabinoid compounds interacted synergistically against colonic polyps, and some also possessed a differential toxic effect on polyp and adjacent colonic tissue, suggesting possible future therapeutic value.”
As described by the Mayo Clinic, “colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer, which may be fatal when found in its later stages.”
The study’s full abstract can be found by clicking here.
