Search Results (683)

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has emerged as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds, with increasing interest in cosmeceutical applications for acne management. This systematic review synthesises evidence on cannabinoid-containing hemp extracts, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), with emphasis on anti-inflammatory and sebostatic mechanisms, alongside formulation considerations and supply-chain sustainability. Reporting followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and encompassed preclinical and clinical evidence relevant to acne-associated outcomes. The review protocol was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD420251272093). Across cell-based, ex vivo and early clinical studies, CBD modulated key inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8; normalised sebocyte activity and attenuated Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes)-induced inflammatory signalling. Preliminary clinical observations indicate reductions in lesion counts and erythema, with generally favourable short-term tolerability; however, interpretation is limited by small sample sizes, predominantly non-randomised designs, heterogeneous formulations and frequent co-formulation with additional active ingredients. Evidence supporting direct antimicrobial efficacy and durable clinical benefit remains limited. Lipid-rich hemp seed-derived products were considered only in a contextual capacity for barrier-supportive and nutritional properties and were excluded from efficacy synthesis unless cannabinoid content was verified. Sustainability analyses highlight hemp’s low water requirements, carbon sequestration potential and relevance to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being) and Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production), supporting its role in environmentally responsible cosmeceutical development. Overall, CBD-containing hemp extracts show biologically plausible and clinically promising adjunctive potential for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne, but current evidence remains preliminary. This review highlights the need for methodologically rigorous and transparent clinical studies, standardised formulations, validated outcome measures and the integration of sustainability metrics to strengthen evidence synthesis, clarify clinical relevance and guide responsible cosmeceutical development. Full article

Metal-contaminated dredged sediments represent heterogeneous environmental matrices in which remediation responses are frequently constrained by elevated background metal loads and complex geochemical conditions. Within such systems, phytoremediation has been discussed as a nature-based management approach whose outcomes depend on plant biomass, internal metal allocation, and context-dependent interactions between plants and sediment. The present study evaluated whether bacterial and fungal plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) were associated with changes in plant metal uptake and internal allocation in Sorghum bicolor L. and Cannabis sativa L. grown in dredged sediment collected from the Bega Canal. An outdoor pot experiment was conducted under environmentally relevant conditions, including bacterial and fungal inoculation treatments alongside non-inoculated controls, with plant responses to Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb characterized using concentration- and mass-based uptake metrics, root–shoot partitioning, and sediment geochemical assessment based on pseudo-total concentrations and BCR sequential extraction fractions. Across treatments, plant responses were largely governed by intrinsic species traits and biomass production, while PGPM-associated effects remained modest and variable. Root-dominated metal retention and limited translocation were evident irrespective of species, consistent with a phytostabilization-type response rather than systematic extraction. Absolute metal uptake accounted for only a minor fraction of total sediment metal pools, underscoring the importance of interpreting concentration-based indices jointly with mass-based metrics when evaluating system-scale responses. Altogether, the findings indicate that under the investigated outdoor dredged sediment pot conditions, PGPM inoculation acts primarily as a context-specific modulator of plant responses rather than a driver of enhanced phytoremediation performance, reflecting the central role of intrinsic plant traits and stabilization-oriented processes in complex sediment systems. Full article

Background: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) remains a major global health concern, with no FDA-approved pharmacological treatments currently available. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid derived from Cannabis sativa L., has shown promising preclinical effects in disrupting the consolidation and retrieval of drug-associated memories, thereby attenuating relapse-like behaviors. Objectives: The present study evaluated the effects of a low-THC CBD-rich cannabis extract (NPCE) on the reinstatement and reconsolidation of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male CD1 (ICR) mice, an approach not previously investigated. Methods: The extract was administered at a dose equivalent to 20 mg/kg of CBD. Treatment significantly attenuated both priming- and stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-induced CPP. Reinstatement was triggered either by a cocaine priming injection or by acute stress exposure, whereas reconsolidation-like processes were assessed by administering the extract following memory reactivation sessions and subsequently evaluating the persistence of cocaine-associated preference over time. Results: NPCE showed a consistent result with disruption of reconsolidation-like processes of cocaine-associated memory, with effects persisting for at least two weeks. The extract alone did not induce conditioned preference or aversion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that NPCE modulates drug-associated memory processes involved in relapse-like behavior. However, the underlying mechanisms were not directly evaluated and remain to be elucidated. Further studies are warranted to include both sexes, evaluate effects across multiple behavioral paradigms, directly compare full-spectrum extracts with isolated cannabinoids, and incorporate receptor-specific approaches to clarify the mechanisms of action. Full article

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) derivatives are emerging as functional ingredients in companion animal nutrition; however, their long-term effects on the canine gut microbiome remain unclear. This exploratory study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with two hempseed-based formulations (fiber-rich by-product vs. fat-rich oil coating) on the fecal microbiota of healthy adult dogs over 90 days. Twenty-four dogs were randomly assigned to control, hempseed by-product (11% inclusion), or hempseed oil (2% coating) diet groups. Fecal samples collected on days 0, 30, and 90 were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess microbial composition and diversity. The hempseed oil group showed a distinguishable increase in species richness. Both hempseed-based diets were associated with compositional shifts in formulation-specific ways: the oil coating with a higher relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae (notably Ligilactobacillus), and the by-product with a higher relative abundance of Actinobacteriota (particularly Collinsella). Both treatments preserved several microbiota genera. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant temporal restructuring, with convergence toward a stabilized ecosystem by day 90. These findings demonstrate that hempseed fractions modulate the canine microbiome in a formulation-specific manner without disrupting ecological stability, supporting beneficial health effects in canine nutrition. Full article

This study aimed to optimize the extraction of total phenolic compounds from Cannabis sativa L. leaf powder cultivated in Tucumán, Argentina (INBIOFIV 00500 Tuc chemotype), using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and to evaluate the process at a screening level in terms of environmental performance. Although leaves are not the primary raw material in the medicinal cannabis industry—where inflorescences are preferentially used due to their cannabinoid content—they represent an underutilized biomass with potential for valorization as a source of bioactive phenolic compounds for cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical applications. The leaves were dried and ground to a particle size between 74 and 840 µm. The effects of process parameters, including solid-to-liquid ratio, solvent composition, and extraction time, were evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions predicted by the model were 46% ethanol, a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10 (w/v), 70% amplitude, and 30 °C. Although the model indicated a short optimal sonication time (1 min), experimental results showed that a plateau in extraction yield was reached at 6 min, with no significant increase thereafter. Under these conditions, the extract exhibited high total phenolic content (1746.83 µg GAE/mL) and total flavonoids (858.41 µg QE/mL), along with strong antioxidant activity. The extract showed no significant toxicity in the Artemia salina assay. The environmental performance of the process was assessed at a laboratory scale. The total energy consumption was 0.329 ± 0.08 kWh per extraction batch, corresponding to a carbon footprint of 0.12 kg CO₂ per batch, based on Argentina’s electricity emission factor (0.387 kg CO₂/kWh). When normalized to extraction yield, the process exhibited a relative carbon footprint of 0.0052 kg CO₂/mg GAE, indicating favorable energy efficiency per unit of antioxidant recovered. These results demonstrate that UAE is a rapid and energy-efficient technique for the recovery of phenolic compounds from cannabis leaves, supporting their valorization within a circular economy framework. However, further studies at a pilot scale and full life cycle assessment are required to confirm the environmental performance of the process at industrial level. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a predominantly dioecious species, but sex expression is highly plastic and can be modified by genetic, hormonal, developmental, and environmental factors. This plasticity has major implications for commercial production because hermaphroditic expression in female plants can cause unintended pollination, seed formation, reduced floral quality, and losses in cannabinoid yield. This review summarizes current understanding of sex determination and sex-expression instability in C. sativa, with emphasis on hermaphroditism and its agronomic significance. We examine the genomic architecture of sex determination, the roles of ethylene and gibberellin signaling, and the effects of exogenous chemical treatments used to alter sexual phenotype. Particular attention is given to silver-based ethylene inhibitors, especially silver thiosulfate, which remain the most effective tools for induced masculinization and feminized seed production. We also assess the role of environmental stressors in sex instability and review current approaches for early detection, including visual inspection, Raman spectroscopy, and sex-linked molecular markers. Overall, the available evidence supports a multilayered and context-dependent model in which genotype, treatment regime, developmental stage, and environmental conditions interact to shape sexual phenotype. Improved understanding of these processes will be essential for reducing hermaphroditic risk, improving breeding strategies, and supporting stable, high-value cannabis production. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a multipurpose crop of increasing agricultural and medical relevance, whose productivity and phytocannabinoid profile are influenced not only by genotype and environmental factors but also by the composition of its microbiota. This review synthesizes current knowledge (2020–2026) on the rhizosphere and endophytic microbiota of hemp, with particular emphasis on plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and their mechanisms of action. Molecular studies indicate that hemp-associated bacterial communities are dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota, with genotype-, tissue- and developmental-stage-dependent variation. PGPB influence plant performance through direct mechanisms, including biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and phytohormone synthesis (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins, cytokinins, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase), as well as indirect mechanisms such as antibiosis, enzyme-mediated pathogen inhibition and induction of systemic tolerance to abiotic stress. Experimental studies demonstrate that inoculation with selected strains or consortia can enhance biomass accumulation, improve germination and root architecture, increase resistance to Fusarium oxysporum and modulate cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Importantly, plant responses are cultivar-specific, highlighting the need for genotype-tailored microbial formulations. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a medicinal plant cultivated globally due to its remarkable historical and scientific relevance. Through the consumption of its flowers, also referred to as inflorescences, which contain a high content of cannabinoids, terpenes and polyphenols, the therapeutic properties of C. sativa can be harnessed. This study therefore aimed to determine the chemical profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the fresh and dried flowers of two C. sativa cultivars, Lifter and Cherrywine, grown in Komga, South Africa, to assess which cultivar has greater biological potential. The chemical profiles of the hydro-distilled EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the EOs was analyzed using the DPPH and EAD methods, respectively. The identified constituents from the EOs were molecularly docked against NOX2 and NIK (NF-κB-inducing kinase) protein, which are implicated in oxidative stress. The afforded EOs were yellow (pale and bright yellow) in color with a sweet to mildly sweet aroma description. A total of 51 constituents were identified in both fresh and dry oils from the Lifter cultivar, while the Cherrywine cultivar contained a total of 44 constituents. Eighteen compounds, were found to be the main chemical constituents consistent in the flower EOs of both cultivars, notably, caryophyllene (10.71–19.96%), levo-β-pinene (1.37–13.21%), humulene (5.88–9.77%), caryophyllene oxide (4.32–7.49%), D-limonene (1.40–5.48%), α-pinene (2.22–5.22%), nerolidol (0.63–4.97%), cis-β-ocimene (0.22–4.37%), linalool (1.12–4.28%), selina-3,7(11)-diene (0.15–4.23%), humulene-1,2-epoxide (1.23–3.32%), guaiol (0.17–2.60%), (+)-β-selinene (1.20–2.51%), trans-α-bergamotene (0.68–2.37%), β-ocimene (0.90–2.27%), fenchol exo- (0.15–1.27), terpineol (0.14–1.38%) and α-terpineol (0.19–0.75%). The fresh Lifter flower oil (LFO) showed 50% inhibition at 100 μg/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 69.50 ± 4.05 µg/mL against DPPH, suggesting moderate to low radical scavenging activity. The maximum percentage inhibition response of DLFO, CFO and DCFO remained below 50% at all concentrations. The antioxidant activity of fresh LFO may be attributed to its overall chemical composition. The flower oils showed in vitro inhibition of protein denaturation; however, the high standard deviation relative to the mean IC₅₀ values limited the ability to rank the samples’ potencies. Further in silico studies on the putative constituents in the Lifter and Cherrywine cultivars revealed β-bisabolene and α-curcumene as potential molecular targets, with binding energy scores of −7.7 and −7.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Thus, the study findings highlight the promising biological importance of C. sativa inflorescences in the management of oxidative stress-related conditions. Further studies may investigate the influence of environmental growing conditions on their chemical composition, total ROS analysis, pharmacokinetic properties, and in vivo efficacy against oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids. Evaluating the toxicity of the flower EOs is also recommended. Full article

The pharmaceutical development of cannabis-based medicinal products is challenged by significant variability in the quality, composition, and standardization of plant-derived active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In Ukraine, despite recent legislative liberalization, a substantial shortage of standardized raw materials continues to limit the development of innovative dosage forms. This study analyses international practices among API manufacturers to identify technological parameters necessary to overcome domestic market barriers and support the implementation of advanced drug delivery systems. Content analysis was conducted on regulatory documentation, professional literature, and manufacturers’ technical specifications. Candidate evaluation followed predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study assessed compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, extraction and purification technologies, the extent of analytical characterization, and batch-to-batch reproducibility. Purposive sampling enabled a comparative analysis of various technological approaches. Marked heterogeneity was observed in API standardization and analytical control indicators among manufacturers. Possession of a GMP certificate was found necessary but may be insufficient to ensure the pharmaceutical equivalence of materials. Differences in extraction methods and purification levels may affect stability profiles, pharmaceutical development strategies, and risk management related to final product quality. The findings demonstrate that manufacturer selection is a critical decision point in pharmaceutical development, with substantiated supplier choice directly influencing dosage form development and regulatory compliance. Full article

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multipurpose crop with significant industrial and therapeutic potential. This article reviews the various uses of hemp in production, building, food, cosmetics and medicine, focusing on its economic, environmental and health benefits. Industrially, hemp has been used for making fabrics, paper, bioplastics, construction materials and biofuels, because of its strong fibres, fast growth and low impact on the environment. Hemp seed oil and protein in the food and beauty industries are gaining more recognition for their nutritional and functional characteristics. Medically, compounds extracted from hemp, especially cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-psychoactive phytochemicals, have been shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, neuroprotective, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This article talks about how better cultivation methods, processing technologies, and extraction techniques can help improve product quality, marketability, regulatory frameworks, safety standards and the quality control measures that are in place to monitor hemp production and utilization, as well as the focus on new policies in developing nations. Even though hemp has a wide range of potentials, the industry still faces difficulties in the form of laws, lack of infrastructure, unequal product standardization, and lack of scientific proof in certain areas of application. This article further identifies research gaps and points out potential areas for innovation, policymaking, and market development to be explored in the future. If backed up by proper regulations and research, hemp has great potential to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly industries, the improvement of public health and the socio-economic upliftment of communities. Full article

Optimizing plant density and vegetative growth duration is important for improving productivity in controlled-environment medicinal cannabis cultivation. Although both factors strongly influence canopy development and yield, their combined effects under modern high-intensity LED lighting, and particularly their consequences for cannabinoid uniformity across the canopy, remain insufficiently characterized. This study examined how planting density and vegetative duration influence plant growth, yield, and cannabinoid concentration in Cannabis sativa L. (strain ‘Fat Banana’) grown under controlled environment conditions, high-intensity LED lighting and precision fertigation. Two vegetative durations (10 and 28 days) were evaluated in separate but identical controlled-environment chambers under broad-spectrum high-intensity LED lighting and automated precision fertigation on rockwool substrate. The 10-day regime compared 8, 14 and 18 plants m⁻²; the 28-day regime compared 6, 8 and 10 plants m⁻². Each combination was replicated across two independent cultivation cycles, and because density levels differed between regimes, direct between-regime comparisons were restricted to the shared density of 8 plants m⁻². Extending the vegetative phase from 10 to 28 days increased plant height, stem diameter and internodal length. Area-based yield increased strongly with density, reaching 1091 g m⁻² at 18 plants m⁻² under the 10-day regime and 1009 g m⁻² at 10 plants m⁻² under the 28-day regime. Apical biomass exceeded basal biomass, but total THC concentration did not differ significantly among planting densities, vegetative durations or canopy positions. Higher planting densities combined with shorter vegetative periods can therefore increase area-based productivity while maintaining stable THC concentration under high-intensity LED cultivation. Full article

Hemp seeds and derived products were recently re-evaluated in the food sector, thanks to their high nutritional value and absence of gluten. This increasing diffusion required to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins, in particular of Alternaria toxins (ALTs), has been uncovered at high levels in previous work. An integrated approach was involved in this study. First, Alternaria spp. incidence and ALTs were determined in hemp seeds harvested in different fields during 2024 and 2025 and the influence of meteorological conditions and of varieties was evaluated. Then, their distribution in hemp oil and defatted flour was studied after a cold pressing process of naturally contaminated hemp seeds, finding a high percentage, over 85%, in hemp cake. Finally, a small survey was conducted on different hemp products intended for direct human consumption, confirming the risk of contamination in seeds, flour and derived bakery products. Full article

The roots of Cannabis sativa L., historically overlooked, are gaining attention as a potential source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. While previous studies have focused on extractions using ethanol, water, or supercritical CO₂, the feasibility of edible oil-based extraction remains largely unexplored. This study evaluated the extraction of root compounds using hemp seed oil, MCT coconut oil, and grape seed oil at six temperatures (50–90 °C). Extracts were analyzed by GC–MS for compound identification and quantification, and antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, ABTS test and β-carotene bleaching method, with results statistically evaluated by ANOVA. Friedelin was successfully extracted with all oils, with grape seed oil yielding the highest concentration (0.810 mg/g dry roots), achieving recoveries higher than those previously reported for ethanol-based extractions. All extracts demonstrated positive antioxidant activity, with grape seed oil, both alone and combined with extracts, showing higher values across the three methods. ANOVA revealed a significant effect of solvent type on both Friedelin concentration and antioxidant capacity. These results demonstrate that edible oils are effective solvents for extracting bioactive compounds from C. sativa roots, supporting their potential application in cosmetic or medicinal formulations. Full article

Cannabis sativa is a multipurpose dioecious species whose crop performance is governed by sex expression. Although sex is genetically determined by an X/Y chromosome system, plants can develop flowers of the opposite sex through sex reversion, commonly induced by manipulating endogenous hormone levels using plant growth regulators (PGRs). Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of PGRs that promote or inhibit major hormone pathways implicated in plant sex expression. Male and female clones from two accessions were treated with foliar applications of nine PGRs and four combinatory treatments to assess sex- and genotype-specific responses. Floral biomass and the proportion of each sex were recorded at harvest to assess treatment effectiveness. Ethylene emerged as the primary regulator of chemically modulated sex reversion in C. sativa, with its inhibition by silver thiosulfate inducing strong female-to-male reversion and its promotion by ethephon inducing equally strong male-to-female reversion in the inflorescences. Gibberellin promotion on its own resulted in female-to-male reversion at the axial nodes only, while its inhibition showed no reciprocal effects. The combination of silver thiosulfate and gibberellic acid resulted in the most complete female-to-male reversion, and all sex-reverted flowers were fertile. Together, the results indicated that flowers at axial nodes and at the terminal ends of inflorescences are under different hormonal control. Cytokinins, auxins, and jasmonates were found to exert minimal influence on sex reversion. All treatments exhibited pleiotropic effects, particularly gibberellic acid and paclobutrazol, which altered resource allocation, shifting biomass away from and towards floral tissue, respectively. These findings advance our understanding of the hormonal regulation of sex expression in C. sativa and identify optimized approaches for its manipulation. Full article

The phytochemical variability in Cannabis sativa L. chemovars represents an underexplored factor in environmentally sustainable nanomaterial production. In this study, three distinct chemovars, (i) High-Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (89% THC), (ii) Balanced (60% Cannabidiol (CBD)), and (iii) High-CBD (89% CBD), were comparatively evaluated to determine their suitability for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Ethanolic inflorescence extracts were used to recover bioactive secondary metabolites; among them, the High-CBD extract exhibited the highest total phenolic (3.34 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoid (29.49 mg quercetine equivalent/g) contents, together with superior antioxidant capacity (53.16% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) inhibition), indicating enhanced redox potential for nanoparticle formation. The terpene profile of High-CBD showed a dominance of myrcene (21.4%), contributing to the stabilization of the system. Using the High-CBD extract, predominantly spherical nanoparticles of 5 ± 0.9 nm were synthesized and confirmed by UV–vis, EDS, and TEM. The biogenic AgNPs demonstrated significant dose-dependent antibacterial activity, with minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1.0 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 4.5 mg/mL against Escherichia coli. These findings highlight the critical role of chemovar-dependent phytochemical composition and support a phytochemistry-guided approach for developing silver nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications. Full article