A green microwave-assisted extraction for Cannabis sativa L. extract and its cytotoxic activity against cancer cells

INTRODUCTION: Objectives: This study aims to explore the use of D-limonene and some vegetable oils with different amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as alternative green solvents for a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.). A standardized cannabis extract was selected to evaluate its potential as a chemopreventive agent.
METHODS: Materials and Methods: Determination of alternative green solvents, powder-to-solvent ratios, and irradiation cycles were performed in order to optimize the MAE conditions. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to assess cytotoxic effects against human breast cancer (MCF-7), liver cancer (HepG2), and mammary epithelium (hTert‐HME1) cell lines.
RESULTS: Results: The extracts obtained from D-limonene and palm oil contained the highest concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A standardized D-limonene extract of cannabis (DEC) containing 0.03% w/w CBD and 1.37% w/w THC was selected for evaluation of cytotoxic activity compared with CBD and THC. The results revealed that CBD and THC exhibited significant cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 and HepG2, with the IC50 values of 18.5 and 12.37 μg/ml for CBD and 24.21 and 4.30 μg/ml for THC, respectively, while DEC exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (IC50 of 488.85 μg/ml). However, CBD and THC demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against hTert‐HME1 (IC50 values of 35.61 and 25.63 μg/ml, respectively), while the DEC showed low cytotoxicity against hTert‐HME1 (IC50 of 1,537.03 μg/ml).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Conclusion: In summary, DEC containing an appropriate level of THC and CBD could have potential to be a candidate for a cancer treatment. However, further investigations are required for better efficacy and safety profiles.