The effect of cannabis extracts on the expression of fibrosis-related genes
Date
2021
Authors
Pryimak, Nazar
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Fibrosis is a condition characterized by thickening and/or scarring of the respective tissue. Up
till now, we can only try to prevent this condition, and unfortunately, it is almost impossible to
reverse it. Therefore, new therapeutic interventions are urgently needed. It has been shown in
the literature that cannabinoids, especially cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and
Cannabis sativa extracts have potent anti-inflammatory properties and thus may also exhibit
anti-fibrotic effects. Our lab has developed several cannabis extracts that demonstrated antiinflammatory
properties. Here, we hypothesized that these high CBD extracts may also have
anti-fibrotic action. In this research, we utilized commercially available 3D-tissues to induce
fibrosis. Next, we studied the effects of cannabis extracts on the expression of genes involved
in the major fibrosis-related pathways using RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR. We discovered
that high CBD cannabis extracts downregulate the expression of several key fibrotic genes
indicating their anti-fibrotic potential at the transcriptional level.
Description
Keywords
fibrosis , cannabinoids , anti-fibrotic effects , CBD extracts , fibrotic gene expression , Fibrosis -- Research , Fibrosis -- Treatment -- Research , Cannabinoids -- Therapeutic use -- Research , Cannabis -- Therapeutic use -- Research , Genetic transcription -- Regulation , Gene expression , Genetic regulation , Materia medica, Vegetable , Medicinal plants -- Research , Dissertations, Academic