Search Results (704)

Cannabis sativa is a multi-use crop with applications in food, fiber, construction, and medicinal industries. Cannabis plants with low Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations (industrial hemp) have recently been legalized for industrial cultivation by multiple nations across the globe. This crop has been traditionally ignored and lags behind established crops like wheat, corn, and cotton in breeding and the development of novel traits. We employed chemical mutagenesis to develop novel traits in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). We used ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) as the chemical mutagen and determined the lethal dose (LD50) to be 2% (v/v) for 5 h for the heat-tolerant (HT) (diploid, 2n) accession and 2% (v/v) for 8 h for the 4x (tetraploid, 2n = 4x = 40) accession. The variations in seed germination percentages among mutagen treatments were found to be highly significant (p < 0.05). The parental generation (M0) seeds were treated with the LD50 dosage of the mutagen to produce mutant M1 populations. The first mutant generation (M1) and second mutant generation (M2) plants displayed a wide array of phenotypes such as dwarf plants, twin seedlings, leaf variegation, fasciation, purple anthocyanins, hard/leathery leaf texture, trifoliate leaves, bushy stature, and unusual leaf shape, which is a testament to the effectiveness and accuracy of the LD50 dosage calibration results. Full article

Cannabis sativa and Curcuma longa have traditionally been used for the management of skin disorders; however, scientific evidence supporting their combined topical use in eczema and psoriasis remains limited. To characterize the phytochemical composition, evaluate the biological activities, investigate potential molecular mechanisms, and assess the preliminary clinical performance of a topical herbal cream containing C. sativa and C. longa extracts. Ethanolic extracts were analyzed using UHPLC and GC-MS. Antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxicity, and nitric oxide inhibition assays were performed. Molecular docking studies were conducted against inflammation-related protein targets. A pilot clinical study evaluated the effects of the herbal cream in patients with eczema and psoriasis over four weeks using EASI, PASI, and DLQI scores. The herbal formulation contained cannabinoids, terpenoids, and curcuminoids with measurable antioxidant activity. The extract exhibited low cytotoxicity and moderate inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophages (0.0001–0.1 mg/mL). Docking analyses suggested favorable interactions between selected phytochemicals and inflammation-associated targets. Preliminary clinical observations indicated improvements in EASI (from 4.11 ± 3.14 to 1.28 ± 1.46), PASI (from 39 to 16.2), and DLQI (from 6.25 ± 5.25 to 1.00 ± 0.82) scores among study completers. The herbal cream demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and showed preliminary clinical potential in inflammatory skin disorders. Larger controlled clinical studies are required to confirm efficacy and establish therapeutic value. Full article

Floral hemp production requires agronomic practices that maximize biomass and cannabidiol (CBD) yield while maintaining legal tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) limits. A two-year field study was conducted at the Tennessee State University Agricultural Research and Education Center to evaluate floral hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) production under a Non-Chemical System (NCS) and Chemical System (CS) at a uniform nitrogen (N) rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹. Four cultivars (‘Fukuoka’, ‘Rushmore’, ‘Cherry’, and ‘Virginia’), two mulch types (plastic and straw), and two propagation methods (seed and clone) were evaluated for effects on biomass yield, plant height, CBD and THC concentrations, and the Compliance Regulatory Index (CRI). The production system did not significantly affect biomass; however, plant height and CBD and THC concentrations were significantly influenced. Across cultivars, mulched plants under CS were taller than those under NCS. Seed-propagated ‘Fukuoka’ under NCS and ‘Virginia’ under CS produced the highest THC concentration. ‘Rushmore’ exhibited greater consistency across production systems and propagation methods. In 2023, plastic mulch increased biomass by 38% compared with no mulch, while in 2024, straw mulch increased biomass by 154%. CRI varied significantly among cultivars and was influenced by year and propagation method. ‘Cherry’ clones and seed-propagated ‘Fukuoka’ showed greater CBD potential at the 0.3% THC threshold in 2023. Although CS with seed propagation showed a slight agronomic advantage, NCS demonstrated comparable performance. Significant performance declines in the second year suggest that continuous monocropping of floral hemp may compromise long-term productivity. A supplementary 2022 harvest-timing study demonstrated cultivar-dependent differences in cannabinoid accumulation and THC compliance during floral maturation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mental and neurological disorders contribute substantially to the global burden of disease, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. As their prevalence increases with age, their overall impact is expected to grow in the coming decades. Although psychological and pharmacological treatments are available, many patients fail to achieve satisfactory outcomes, underscoring the need for improved therapeutic strategies. Cannabis sativa L. has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and cannabidiol (CBD) has attracted increasing attention because of its broad therapeutic potential. Scientific studies indicate that CBD may be beneficial in several mental and neurological disorders. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify articles investigating the therapeutic potential of CBD and cannabis in selected disorders. Results: Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies, together with findings from the broader cannabis literature, indicates that CBD may offer therapeutic benefits in a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, anxiety disorders, and epilepsy. Emerging data also support its potential use as an adjunctive therapy for COVID-19. Current research has improved understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these disorders and the molecular pathways through which CBD may exert its effects. CBD has demonstrated good tolerability, with predominantly mild adverse effects and a favorable safety profile. Conclusions: Despite promising findings, many available studies are preclinical or involve small patient cohorts, and the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of CBD remain incompletely understood. Further well-designed, randomized, controlled, multicenter trials are needed to establish the efficacy and safety of CBD and support its integration into clinical practice. Full article

The objective of this study was to determine the energy balance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) under semi-arid Central Anatolian conditions. A field experiment was conducted using the registered industrial hemp cultivar ‘Vezir’ under semi-arid conditions, and energy use indicators and greenhouse gas emissions were quantified through an input–output analysis based on field-level agricultural inputs and biomass yield. The total energy input was calculated as 13,688.50 MJ ha^–1, of which chemical fertilizers (54.339%) and diesel fuel (32.09%) jointly accounted for more than 90%, followed by irrigation water (4.66%), machinery 2.87%), and human labor (0.21%). The corresponding energy output reached 388,073.80 MJ ha^–1, yielding an energy use efficiency of 28.35, a specific energy of 0.62 MJ kg^–1, an energy productivity of 1.61 kg MJ^–1 and a net energy of 374,385.28 MJ ha^–1. Of the total energy input, 36.95% was direct and 63.05% indirect, while 89.35% originated from non-renewable sources and only 10.65% originated from renewable sources. Total GHG emissions amounted to 590.14 kg CO₂ eq ha^–1, with diesel fuel and nitrogen fertilizer identified as the dominant emission sources. These findings indicate that industrial hemp combines high productivity with low environmental burdens under semi-arid conditions. Beyond its favorable energy balance, hemp offers potential contributions to climate-smart agriculture through efficient resource use, reduced greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output, and diversification of cropping systems in water-limited environments. Therefore, industrial hemp can support the transition toward more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in semi-arid regions of Türkiye and similar agroecological zones. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a multipurpose plant widely cultivated for fiber, food, medicinal products, and the production of bioactive compounds, including psychoactive cannabinoids. Fungal endophytes are a promising source of antimicrobial compounds used for biological control and sustainable crop production. However, the fungal endophytes associated with C. sativa have been poorly investigated, and their biological activities are still largely unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to identify fungal endophytes from C. sativa (marijuana and hemp biotypes) and to screen for their antagonistic activities against some plant pathogens. Based on ITS sequence analysis, a total of 103 fungal endophyte isolates (21 genera) were preliminarily identified from both biotypes, including 62 isolates (13 genera) from hemp and 41 isolates (nine genera) from marijuana. Fusarium was the dominant genus found in hemp (45%), while Nigrospora was the dominant genus isolated from marijuana (32%). Ten selected fungal endophytes were evaluated for in vitro antagonistic activity against four bacterial pathogens, Pectobacterium spp. (PC 01 and PC 02) and Ralstonia solanacearum (RA 01 and RA 02), and four fungal pathogens, Fusarium solani (FU 01), F. oxysporum (FU 02), and Sclerotium sp. (SC 01 and SC 02), all of which are causal agents of potato diseases. Among the tested fungal endophytes, Colletotrichum sp. (SLLC-M24) and Nigrospora sp. (SLLC-H15) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against Fusarium spp. (FU 01 and FU 02), with inhibition rates ranging from 56 to 64%. In addition, Pestalotiopsis sp. (SLLC-H5) demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial pathogens, producing inhibition zones ranging from 19 to 23 mm. This finding represents an important step toward discovering novel and promising endophytes associated with Cannabis and their biological control potential for utilization in sustainable agriculture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder requiring sustainable therapeutic alternatives. Cannabis sativa L. is a valuable industrial crop rich in bioactive secondary metabolites; its potential as a standardized functional ingredient for promoting skin health has not yet been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of a chemically characterized C. sativa inflorescence ethanol extract (CSE) on AD. Methods: To evaluate the efficacy of CSE, phytochemical profiling was performed using UPLC, and its underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in a DNCB-induced mouse model. Results: UPLC analysis was employed to establish the phytochemical profile, identifying 15 cannabinoids and quantifying 8 major components. CBDA was the most abundant component, with a content of 261.79 mg/g in the extract. In a DNCB-induced mouse model, CSE significantly reduced mast cell infiltration and serum IgE levels while downregulating Th2-associated cytokines. At the molecular level, CSE inhibited the activation of the MAPK, NLRP3 inflammasome, and JAK1/STAT6 signaling pathways. Crucially, CSE treatment substantially increased the expression of skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin and involucrin, thereby enhancing skin hydration. Conclusions: These findings suggest CSE as a high-value functional ingredient capable of ameliorating AD by modulating multi-target immune responses. This study provides a robust scientific basis for utilizing standardized C. sativa inflorescence as a potent functional ingredient or a nutraceutical agent for the management of chronic skin inflammatory conditions. Full article

Hemp sprouts are emerging as a potential functional food, although their phytochemical composition remains poorly characterized. The study investigated the effect of genotype on growth, phytochemical accumulation, and antioxidant activity in four-day-old sprouts from eight hemp genotypes: Carmagnola Selezionata (CS), Fibrante, Carmaleonte, Codimono, Futura 75, USO 31, Felsinea, and Santhica 27. An integrated approach combining spectrophotometric assays, HPLC, and GC-MS analyses was used. Sprout length showed limited variability across genotypes, whereas biomass accumulation varied markedly, with CS, Fibrante, Felsinea, and Santhica 27 exhibiting the highest fresh and dry weights, and Carmaleonte and Codimono the lowest. Phytosterols (46.3%) and phenolics (33.9%) represented the predominant classes, followed by tocols (17.3%) and carotenoids (2.5%), whereas terpenes occurred only in traces (0.1%) and cannabinoids were not detected in any genotype. Fibrante, Futura 75, and Santhica 27 accumulated comparatively higher levels of several bioactive classes among the genotypes investigated, whereas the remining genotypes displayed more selective enrichment patterns. In particular, Fibrante, Futura 75, and Santhica 27 showed the highest accumulation of phenolics, particularly kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, vitexin, isovitexin, and gallic acid, together with elevated levels of tocopherols and phytosterols. Fibrante also exhibited the highest carotenoid levels, particularly lutein and violaxanthin, and the highest antioxidant activity. CS, Codimono, USO 31, and Felsinea generally showed lower metabolite accumulation, although they maintained a moderate accumulation of specific lipid-soluble antioxidants and terpenes. Carmaleonte displayed the lowest levels across most metabolites. Overall, among the analyzed genotypes, Fibrante, followed by Santhica 27 and Futura 75, exhibited the most favorable combination of phytochemical composition and biomass production, making these genotypes promising candidates for further studies in the field of functional foods. Full article

Rapidly increasing manufacturing waste intensifies the need for highly efficient and economically feasible waste-to-resource technologies. This research presented an upcycling strategy that transforms silver (Ag)-bearing waste into functional silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag₂O NPs) for potential use in biomedical applications. A two-step process of silver purification and the bio–sonochemical synthesis of Ag₂O NPs was employed. First, the sequential purification of Ag via melt-refining and electrorefining was utilized to efficiently achieve a silver purity of ≥99.90%. This purification encouraged the recycling of various forms of Ag-bearing waste. Subsequently, the purified Ag was prepared as the precursor for the bio–sonochemical synthesis of Ag₂O NPs, using Cannabis sativa SUT CBD12 flower extract as a natural reducing agent. The optimal conditions were adapted from a preliminary test using AgNO₃ as the precursor. At initial concentrations of 0.01 M Ag solution, 1 mM PVP solution, and 10 g dried weight of Cannabis sativa SUT CBD12 added to 100 mL DI water, the optimal condition was obtained at the capping agent:reducing agent:precursor volume ratio of 0.6:0.006:1, pH 10–12, under a short sonication time of 2 min. The purified Ag (waste-derived) and AgNO₃-derived Ag₂O NPs shared similar spherical shapes and sizes of ~100–130 nm. The Ag₂O NPs showed antibacterial effectiveness against S. aureus (ZOI of 26–29 mm) and E. coli (ZOI of 16–20 mm). Preliminary observations into the incorporation of Ag₂O NPs into polycaprolactone (PCL) to produce electrospun PCL/Ag₂O NPs nano fabrics shows a bead-free morphology, raising the possibility of a potential use in wound dressing. Following these preliminary explorations into potential uses and emission controls, a circular design maximizing the use of recycled resources is emphasized. Full article

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) is recognised as a valuable source of nutritionally important lipids, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Despite growing interest in hempseed oil, the combined influence of extraction and derivatisation on fatty acid profiling remains poorly understood, limiting comparability and standardisation of lipidomic analyses, particularly for fibre-type hemp cultivars. This study evaluated the effects of microwave-assisted and Soxhlet extraction, combined with acidic and basic derivatisation, on fatty acid composition, lipid quality indices, and oxidative stability in Romanian fibre-type hempseed cultivars. The analysed oils were dominated by linoleic and α-linolenic acids, with favourable PUFA/SFA and ω-6/ω-3 ratios, low atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, and high hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic ratios, indicating excellent nutritional quality. Statistical analyses confirmed that extraction and derivatisation significantly influenced fatty acid composition and lipid quality indices, while principal component analysis identified extraction methodology as the main source of variability. Oxidative stability showed moderate correlations with fatty acid composition, suggesting that differences in lipid profiles may influence susceptibility to oxidation. Overall, the study demonstrates that Romanian fibre-type hemp cultivars are valuable sources of nutritionally favourable lipids and emphasises the need for standardised extraction and derivatisation protocols to improve the reliability and comparability of hempseed lipidomic analyses. Full article

Cannabinoid content can vary several-fold across Cannabis sativa L. cultivars that carry functional, closely related CBDA synthase (CBDAS) and THCA synthase (THCAS) alleles, a difference that coding-sequence variation among functional alleles does not fully explain. Structural and copy-number variation at the synthase loci, the functional or pseudogenised state of synthase alleles, and linkage at the B locus account for much of the qualitative drug-versus-hemp chemotype; however, these genetic factors do not fully explain the quantitative, several-fold variation in cannabinoid content among cultivars that carry functional, near-identical synthase alleles. Three independent lines of evidence now indicate that chromatin-level regulation contributes to this variation. H3K4me3 and H3K56ac co-occupy the promoters and gene bodies of THCAS, CBDAS, OLS, and OAC exclusively in glandular trichome tissue while H3K27me3 marks the identical loci in vegetative tissues, indicating that a Polycomb-to-Trithorax chromatin switch is associated with trichome-specific cannabinoid gene expression, potentially independently of transcription factor availability. Progressive DNA hypomethylation accumulates during micropropagation in a cultivar-specific manner, with promoter-region differentially methylated positions reaching up to 22% by twenty subcultures, identifying DNA methylation maintenance as a candidate determinant of epigenetic stability in clonally propagated material, although the functional consequences for cannabinoid pathway gene expression and yield remain to be quantitatively established. In Cannabis indica cell suspension cultures, UV irradiation increases genome-wide DNA methylation (detected by MSAP, which does not resolve locus-specific changes) and elevates CBDAS transcript levels approximately 4-fold relative to non-irradiated controls. This coupling of an environmentally triggered methylation change to cannabinoid pathway gene expression in the Cannabis genus is suggestive, but the genome-wide MSAP signal and the use of C. indica cell cultures mean the locus-specific methylation change at the CBDAS promoter remains to be demonstrated. These findings identify specific, experimentally documented chromatin states as candidate targets for dCas9-effector intervention, including the H3K27me3 repressive state at cannabinoid loci that could be addressed by dCas9-KDM6A and the propagation-induced CG hypomethylation that could be addressed by dCas9-DNMT3A; these editing strategies remain hypotheses that have not yet been tested in Cannabis. We synthesize functional evidence from Catharanthus roseus, Papaver somniferum, and Artemisia annua demonstrating that equivalent chromatin switches control secondary metabolite yield in medicinal plants, evaluate which dCas9-effector architectures are most appropriate for each Cannabis chromatin target, and identify the critical mechanistic gaps that must be closed before epigenome editing can be rationally deployed for cannabinoid yield enhancement in Cannabis. Full article

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial, non-essential element used in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), yet cannabis-specific evidence is scattered across hemp and drug-type cannabis. Because the marketable organ in drug-type and medicinal cannabis is the inflorescence, whose cannabinoid and terpene quality and strict residue limits make every fertigation input unusually consequential, a cannabis-focused synthesis of silicon use is needed. This comprehensive review aims to synthesize that evidence and clarify when, how, and in what form Si supplementation is justified across the crop cycle, based on a four-database search (covering the literature up to May 2026, with the cannabis-specific evidence base spanning 2019–2026). Cannabis is an intermediate Si accumulator depositing silica in bast fibers and trichomes, with benefits clearest in propagation and vegetative growth. Root Si lowers cadmium and zinc uptake and supports antioxidant defense; foliar nano-Si aids drought tolerance, and Si suppresses powdery mildew while raising tissue Si ~2.1-fold and inflorescence biomass ~1.2-fold without reducing cannabinoid or terpene quality. On current evidence, Si appears best deployed as a resilience-enhancing, stage-specific input within an integrated program rather than a universal additive. Future research should prioritize genotype- or chemotype-resolved dose–response studies on cannabinoid and terpene yields and late-flower-application safety. Full article

Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) is widely recognized for its therapeutic potential, historically attributed to its cannabinoid content. Some of the phytocannabinoid compounds of C. sativa are mediated through interactions with the endocannabinoid system, while some are able to modulate the interaction between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. Additionally, the non-cannabinoid group exhibits a broad range of bioactive potential, also displaying pharmacological actions. However, the non-cannabinoid fraction of the plant has not been extensively studied. This review emphasizes the emerging pharmacological importance of non-cannabinoid phytochemicals such as terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids found within C. sativa. Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed were utilized as databases to search for relevant published literature. The search employed the keywords such as “Cannabis sativa phytochemicals, non-cannabinoid compounds of Cannabis sativa, pharmacological activity of non-cannabinoid compounds of Cannabis sativa”. The total number of published articles initially retrieved between January 2010 and May 2025 was 187. From these, only 12 articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review highlights the structural diversity and functional significance of non-cannabinoid constituents. Terpenes and flavonoids were particularly well-characterized, with demonstrated synergistic interactions that enhanced therapeutic efficacy via mechanisms like the “entourage effect.” Despite promising preclinical findings, the clinical translation of these compounds remains limited due to challenges in standardization, regulatory barriers, and a lack of well-defined analytical methods. This review concludes that non-cannabinoid phytochemicals are integral to the pharmacological complexity of C. sativa and warrant further investigation as potential candidates for drug development, especially in formulations that aim to optimize whole-plant therapeutic effects. Full article

Medicinal cannabis has gained increasing attention from both the scientific community and clinical practice, due to the therapeutic potential of its major phytocannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), for pain management. This review compiled and analyzed the available evidence regarding the antinociceptive effects of nanoencapsulated cannabinoids compared to free compounds. The published works have explored some pharmaceutical formulations and administration routes on different acute, chronic and neuropathic pain experimental models. The findings indicated that cannabinoids exhibited promising analgesic effects, while nanoencapsulation could enhance its stability and bioavailability. Despite these advances, the number of reports investigating nanostructured cannabinoid-based systems remains limited, with a predominance of preclinical research. A recurrent lack of structural information and quality control data for such works was also noted. Furthermore, there were not identified any research regarding the nanoencapsulation of full-spectrum cannabis oils or whole cannabis extracts, highlighting a significant gap in the current literature. Overall, nanoencapsulation emerges as a versatile strategy to overcome the intrinsic limitations of cannabinoids and expand its clinical applicability for pain treatment. Nevertheless, further efforts are required to determine standardized methodologies, facilitating the translation of preclinical findings into clinical practice, in order to provide stable, safe, effective and more accessible cannabinoid-based therapies. Full article

Synthetic dyes from textile effluents represent a major environmental concern due to their persistence and toxicity. Reactive Black 5 (RB5) is widely used in the textile industry and is commonly applied as a model azo compound in sorption studies. This study comparatively evaluates the sorption performance of raw and carbonized sorbents derived from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biowaste using an integrated experimental and theoretical approach. The sorbents were prepared through washing, drying, and phosphoric acid-assisted carbonization followed by pyrolysis. Structural and physicochemical properties were characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and SEM microscopy. Sorption performance toward RB5 was investigated through batch kinetic and equilibrium experiments, supported by kinetic (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models) and isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin) modeling. Molecular docking simulations were performed to provide mechanistic insight into dye–sorbent interactions. Both materials exhibited rapid sorption kinetics, reaching equilibrium within approximately 45 min, with the pseudo-second-order model suggesting that surface-controlled interactions dominate the sorption rate. Molecular modeling, based on extensive conformational sampling, indicated a strong binding affinity between RB5 and cellulose-based structures, primarily associated with hydrogen bonding and other favorable noncovalent interactions. In contrast, graphene-based models revealed sorption governed by π–π interactions and confinement effects, supporting the experimentally observed differences between raw and carbonized sorbents. Full article