Assessment of Moroccan Cannabis sativa Seed Oil: Chemical Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Toxicological, and Antinociceptive Effects.

Cannabis sativa L. is a plant known locally as "El kif" of the Cannabaceae family. This study aimed to conduct a chemical analysis of Cannabis sativa seed oil (CSSO) and assess its acute toxicity, antioxidant properties, and analgesic effects. The chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify its fatty acids (FAs) content. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method and the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) method. Concurrently, acute toxicity, along with antinociceptive activity, was studied through three distinct animal models: writhing test, formalin test, and hot plate test. The results revealed that linoleic acid, oleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and palmitic acid were the main components of CSSO. The LD50 of CSSO was greater than 5 g/kg, indicating low toxicity. Additionally, CSSO exhibited a significant content of flavonoids and total polyphenols, along with notable antioxidant activity with values. The results indicated a significant increase in thermal stimulus latency, a reduction in the number of writhes induced by acetic acid, and a decrease in licking time in both phases of the formalin test. In conclusion, this study suggests promising results for CSSO emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Chemical Investigation and Antinociceptive Activity Evaluation of Marrubium Vulgare L. Aqueous Extract.

Marrubium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, inflammatory conditions, and pain. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, acute toxicity, and antinociceptive effects of the aqueous extract from M. vulgare leaves (AEMV). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and reducing power assays. The chemical composition of AEMV was determined through LC-MS/MS, and the levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins were quantified. Acute oral toxicity was assessed in male Swiss mice with a single oral dose of AEMV (1, 2, 5 g/kg). The analgesic impact was examined through writhing, hot plate, and formalin tests. Our findings not only confirmed the safety of the extract in animal models but also revealed significant antioxidant activity in AEMV. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified important bioactive compounds, with marrubiin being a major component. Furthermore, AEMV demonstrated robust antinociceptive properties in all conducted tests, highlighting its potential as a valuable natural source of bioactive compounds suitable for a wide range of therapeutic applications.

Modulation of Gut Microbiome in Ecstasy/MDMA-Induced Behavioral and Biochemical Impairment in Rats and Potential of Post-Treatment with Anacyclus pyrethrum L. Aqueous Extract to Mitigate Adverse Effects.

The use of illicit substances continues to pose a substantial threat to global health, affecting millions of individuals annually. Evidence suggests the existence of a 'brain-gut axis' as the involving connection between the central nervous system and gut microbiome (GM). Dysbiosis of the GM has been associated with the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases, including metabolic, malignant, and inflammatory conditions. However, little is currently known about the involvement of this axis in modulating the GM in response to psychoactive substances. In this study, we investigated the effect of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "Ecstasy")-dependence on the behavioral and biochemical responses, and the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiome in rats post-treated (or not) with aqueous extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum (AEAP), which has been reported to exhibit anticonvulsant activity. The dependency was validated using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, behavioral, and biochemical tests, while the gut microbiota was identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The CPP and behavioral tests confirmed the presence of MDMA withdrawal syndrome. Interestingly, treatment with AEAP led to a compositional shift in the GM compared to the MDMA-treated rats. Specifically, the AEAP group yielded a higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacter, while animals receiving MDMA had higher levels of E. coli. These findings suggest that A. pyrethrum therapy may directly modulate the gut microbiome, highlighting a potential target for regulating and treating substance use disorders.

Antiarthritic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabis sativa Essential Oil in an Animal Model.

Arthritis and inflammatory conditions require effective therapies, but conventional drugs have side effects. This study explored Cannabis sativa L. essential oil (CSEO) as a safer alternative. A chemical characterization of EO conducted via GC/MS showed the presence of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (67.63%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (25.91%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (0.99%). The study used three established inflammation induction tests: xylene-induced ear swelling, carrageenan-induced paw inflammation, and inflammation in the paw induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA). Xylene triggered acute inflammation in the ear, while carrageenan-induced acute inflammatory responses through edema and immune-cell recruitment in the paw. CFA-induced arthritis simulated chronic inflammatory conditions. The obtained results demonstrated that treatment with CSEO significantly reduced ear weight in the xylene-induced ear-swelling test, indicating potential inhibition of neutrophil accumulation. In the carrageenan-induced paw inflammation test, CSEO reduced paw volume, suggesting interference with edema formation and leukocyte migration. In the CFA-induced paw inflammation test, CSEO decreased contralateral paw volume, restored body weight, and reduced C-reactive protein levels. Conclusion: this study provides compelling evidence supporting the antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of CSEO. The findings indicate the therapeutic value of EO in the management of arthritis and inflammatory diseases while highlighting the need for further in-depth research to study the molecular mechanisms and validate their safety and efficacy for clinical applications. Preliminary data from this study suggests encouraging prospects for advancing the treatment and prevention of inflammation.