According to a study published in the journal Molecules, Cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN) may have anticancer effects against cholangiocarcinoma, an aggressive form of bile duct cancer.
Researchers from Srinakharinwirot University and Kasetsart University examined the effects of the three cannabinoids on two human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. They found that all three compounds reduced cancer cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, suppressed cell proliferation and triggered apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death.
CBD, CBG and CBN also disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, an effect associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the initiation of apoptosis. After six hours, mitochondrial membrane potential declined by 2.5-fold with CBD, 4.9-fold with CBG and 1.7-fold with CBN.
Treatment also significantly reduced levels of Ki67, a protein commonly used as a marker of cancer cell proliferation.
In laboratory testing, the cannabinoids produced lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration values than cisplatin, indicating stronger cytotoxic effects at lower concentrations in the tested cells. Their effectiveness was also described as comparable with the targeted cancer drug gefitinib.
A proteomic analysis identified 2,781 proteins affected by the cannabinoids and the two reference drugs. CBD, CBG and CBN were associated with reduced activity in several regulators linked to cancer progression, including LARP1, TFEB and B-cell receptor signaling.
CBN produced downstream cellular responses most similar to cisplatin and gefitinib, while CBD and CBG displayed closely related response patterns.
Researchers notes that although the results are promising, the study was conducted exclusively in cancer cells and did not evaluate the compounds in animals or people.
“CBD, CBG, and CBN exhibited significant anti-cholangiocarcinoma activity by reducing cell viability, suppressing proliferation, decreasing nuclear Ki67 expression, disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential, and inducing apoptosis,” researchers concluded.
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