Modulation of Angiotensin II-Induced Cellular Hypertrophy by Cannflavin-C: Unveiling the Impact on Cytochrome P450 1B1 and Arachidonic Acid Metabolites.

This research aimed to clarify the impacts of cannflavin-C on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy and their potential role in modulating cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites. Currently there is no evidence to suggest that cannflavin-C; a prenylated flavonoid, has any significant effects on the heart or cardiac hypertrophy. The metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) into midchain hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), facilitated by CYP1B1 enzyme, plays a role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy which is marked by enlarged cardiac cells. Adult human ventricular cardiomyocytes cell line (AC16) were cultured and exposed to cannflavin-C in the presence and absence of Ang II. The assessment of mRNA expression pertaining to cardiac hypertrophic markers and CYPs was conducted via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) while the quantification of CYPs protein levels was carried out through western blot analysis. Ang II induced hypertrophic markers myosin heavy chain (ß/α-MHC), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and increased cell surface area, while cannflavin-C mitigated these effects. Gene and protein expression analysis revealed that cannflavin-C downregulated CYP1B1 gene expression, protein level as well as the enzyme activity assessed by 7-methoxyresorufin O-deethylase (MROD). Arachidonic acid metabolites analysis, using LC-MS/MS, demonstrated that Ang II increased midchain (R/S)-HETEs concentrations, which were attenuated by cannflavin-C. This study provides novel insights into the potential of cannflavin-C in modulating arachidonic acid metabolites and attenuating Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, highlighting the importance of this compound as potential therapeutic agents for cardiac hypertrophy. Significance Statement This study demonstrates that cannflavin-C offers protection against cellular hypertrophy induced by Ang II. The significance of this research lies in its novel discovery, which elucidates a mechanistic pathway involving the inhibition of CYP 1B1 by cannflavin-C. This discovery opens up new avenues for leveraging this compound in the treatment of heart failure.

In Vitro Predictive Model for Intestinal Lymphatic Uptake: Exploration of Additional Enhancers and Inhibitors.

Drug absorption via chylomicrons holds significant implications for both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. However, a mechanistic understanding of predicting in vivo intestinal lymphatic uptake remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to delve into the intestinal lymphatic uptake of drugs, investigating both enhancement and inhibition using various excipients through our previously established in vitro model. It also examined the applicability of the model by assessing the lymphatic uptake enhancement of a lymphotropic formulation with linoleoyl polyoxyl-6 glycerides using the same model. The model successfully differentiated among olive, sesame, and peanut oils in terms of lymphatic uptake. However, it did not distinguish between oils containing long-chain fatty acids and coconut oil. Coconut oil, known for its abundance of medium-chain fatty acids, outperformed other oils. This heightened uptake was attributed to the superior emulsification of this oil in artificial chylomicron media due to its high content of medium-chain fatty acids. Additionally, the enhanced uptake of the tested formulation with linoleoyl polyoxyl-6 glycerides underscored the practical applicability of this model in formulation optimization. Moreover, data suggested that increasing the zeta potential of Intralipid® using sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and decreasing it using (+/-) chloroquine led to enhanced and reduced uptake in the in vitro model, respectively. These findings indicate the potential influence of the zeta potential on intestinal lymphatic uptake in this model, though further research is needed to explore the possible translation of this mechanism in vivo.

A validated method for detection of cannflavins in hemp extracts.

A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography mass spectrometry assay was developed for the detection of cannflavin A, B, and C in hemp extract specimens. A deuterated analog cannabidiol-D3 was used as the internal standard and the isocratic method used a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water with 0.1 % formic acid [83:17]. Detection was carried out by electrospray positive ionization in single-ion monitoring mode through a C-18 analytical column. The assay (total run time <20 min) had excellent linearity and a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 µg/mL and a limit of detection of 0.25 µg/mL with a 10 µL injection. The method possessed suitable measures of stability, sensitivity, and selectivity for detecting cannflavins in several specimen types. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of samples of cannflavin release from prototype topical formulations.

Therapeutic Potential and Predictive Pharmaceutical Modeling of Stilbenes in Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis sativa is a plant used for recreational and therapeutic purposes; however, many of the secondary metabolites in the plant have not been thoroughly investigated. Stilbenes are a class of compounds with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are present in cannabis. Many stilbenes present in cannabis have been investigated for their therapeutic effects. Fourteen stilbenes have been identified to be present in cannabis, all of which are structurally dihydrostilbenoids, with half possessing a prenylated moiety. The stilbenes summarized in this analysis show varying degrees of therapeutic benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancer to antioxidant effects. Many of the identified stilbenes have been researched to a limited extent for potential health benefits. In addition, predictive in silico modeling was performed on the fourteen identified cannabis-derived stilbenes. This modeling provides prospective activity, pharmacokinetic, metabolism, and permeability data, setting the groundwork for further investigation into these poorly characterized compounds.