A study examining the effects of hemp properties on cancer cell growth provided valuable insights into potential therapeutic plant-based treatments. The findings published in the Journal of Cannabis Research identify several new neolignans isolated from hemp roots that reduce cancer cell proliferation. Neolignans are a class of natural chemical compounds derived from plants that play a key role in various plant defense mechanisms and possess anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
The research profiled the hemp root samples using liquid-liquid extraction methods to examine the structure of neolignans. Flash chromatography technique isolated the neolignans in preparation for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. The researchers tested inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) in a variety of cancer cell lines.
The researchers isolated four neolignans from hemp roots and noted molecular weight differences varied by 30 daltons. Two compounds identified included dadahols A and B. The research team analyzed fractions of various purities containing neolignans against neuroblastoma cell lines that included CHLA15 and LAN5, hepatoblastoma cell line Hep3B, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell line L428.
To extract the neolignans from hemp root, the researchers added 300 mL of LC-MS grade methanol to 40 g of hemp roots in a glass beaker. They covered the beaker with foil and sonicated at 40 kHz for 30 min in a Bransonic sonication bath. The researchers decanted the extract into a second beaker and added another 300 mL of methanol. The extract was sonicated for 30 min, and then decanted into the second beaker. This step was repeated two more times.
Initial liquid chromatography profiling of hemp root samples revealed a group of uncharacterized peaks. The research team classified these peaks as neolignans using Oribitrap ID-X high resolution mass spectrometer.
One finding showed that semi-pure fractions containing dadahol A and/or dadahol B had the highest cytotoxic activity. After testing pure dadahol A and dadahol B, the team observed dadahol A exhibited the lowest IC50 values in all the cell lines.
The study highlights the need for more clinical trial data on how cannabinoids can mitigate cancer cell proliferation.
Source: Journal of Cannabis Research