A study published by the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine and e-published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine highlights cannabidiol’s (CBD) potential as a therapeutic option for combatting cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).
Conducted by researchers from Khon Kaen University in Thailand, the study explored the anti-cancer effects of CBD on human CCA cells, examining both in vitro and in vivo mechanisms.
CCA, a type of bile duct cancer, is often diagnosed in late stages, leading to limited treatment success. The study investigated the impact of CBD on three CCA cell lines using various assays to assess cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and morphological changes. Researchers also utilized 3D holotomography, transmission electron microscopy, and mitochondrial function tests to delve into the underlying mechanisms. To confirm these findings, a xenograft model was employed.
The results demonstrated that CBD effectively inhibited CCA cell proliferation, suppressed colony formation, and caused cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Morphological analyses revealed lipid vesicles and disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis, with CBD increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reducing mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, CBD induced autophagy through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and promoted cellular senescence by upregulating p53 and p21 proteins.
In vivo experiments supported these findings, with CBD showing significant anti-tumor activity in xenograft models. The study concludes that CBD suppresses proliferation and induces cell death, autophagy, and senescence in CCA cells, offering a promising avenue for improving treatment outcomes for this aggressive cancer.
The study’s full text can be found here.
