Lab-modified cannabis helps reduce cancer cells and other side effects, including those caused by chemotherapy, a study by the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Athens found.
The cannabinoid acids contained in the cannabis plant, when specially modified in the laboratory, significantly reduce the number of cells that cause breast, liver and skin cancer. Before using them in the future for the production of anti-cancer drugs, it is necessary to prove their anti-cancer activity.
Prokopios MagiatisAssociate Professor at the University Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Food Chemistry, presented the results of this study at the 9th Panhellenic Conference of Applied Sciences over the weekend.
Hemp contains cannabinoid acids. The main goal of the research carried out at the Department of Pharmacy EKPA is the modification of cannabinoid acids in order to obtain original chemical compounds. A class of these substances show increased penetration into cell membranes and adipose tissues, as well as improved stability inside and outside the body, elements that lead to more promising pharmacological actions,” Magiatis said, according to state broadcaster ERT.
He emphasized: “In In the course of a pharmacological evaluation, experiments carried out in collaboration with the research group of Dr. Charalambias Boletis at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, we found that these substances have an improved cytotoxic effect on various cancer cell lines (breast, melanoma, liver, etc.), and the most promising substance is cannabigerolic acid butyl ester (CBG) against breast cancer cells. This particular cannabinoid has also been tested for toxicity and after experiments on mice it has been shown to be non-toxic and non-psychoactive even at very high doses. Specific substances are protected by an international patent with the participation of the University of Athens and Ekati Alchemy Lab, SL., and we are currently negotiating with major pharmaceutical companies to continue their use.“.
The research team includes Prokopis Magiatis, Evangelos Dadiotis, Eleni Melliou, Vangelis Mitsis, Aikaterini Papakonstantinou and Charalambia Boleti. According to Mr. Magiatis, “more than 500 clinical studies of cannabis components and mainly non-psychotropic components are currently being conducted, as well as new synthetic components with improved properties are being studied.”
Medical treatments
Magiatis noted that Greek patients have access to two preparations containing medical cannabis. These are epidiolex, containing only cannabidiol, and sativex, containing a combination of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Both drugs are approved by the European Medicines Agency and the Hellenic Office for Medicines (EOF), and are available on prescription. However, since they are not sold in Greece, a special import procedure is required. “Epidiolex is an adjunctive treatment for epileptic seizures, while Sativex is indicated for the treatment of spasticity and neuropathic pain,” he explained.
New products by prescription only
According to Magiatis, based on the latest legislation, it is expected that pharmacies will have definitive medical cannabis preparations with tetrahydrocannabinol, which will be dispensed only by prescription. The following indications for use will apply to these products:
- Prevention and treatment of severe nausea or vomiting after chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and combination therapy against HIV or hepatitis C.
- Treatment of chronic pain associated with cancer or diseases of the central or peripheral nervous system.
- Treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.
- As an appetite enhancer in the palliative care of patients undergoing treatment for cancer or AIDS.
“Prescribing a finished medicinal cannabis product should under no circumstances be a treatment of first choice. It is only given to patients who do not respond to other treatment regimens or when they are poorly tolerated or contraindicated in a particular patient,” Magiatis noted. According to him, there are such side effects as relaxation, hypoactivity, drowsiness, tachycardia, dry mouth, decreased intraocular pressure, withdrawal syndrome, euphoria and neglect of important daily activities.
PS: No wonder medical cannabis has even been blessed by the church. See photo above.
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