• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2023

Objectives: Despite the pharmacological potential of the roots and stems of hemp based on literatures, active research has not been conducted for a long time. Comparative experiments were conducted on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and improvement of glucose uptake using Cannabis root and stem extracts. Methods: Antioxidant contents in Cannabis root and stem extracts were examined with total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid assay. Anti-inflammatory properties were tested in lipopolysaccharides-treated RAW264.7 cells. Efficacy of Cannabis root and stem extracts on glucose uptake was investigated using fluorescent glucose analog (2-NBDG) in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. The mechanism of action on metabolism was examined by western blot. Results: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy were greater in stem extracts, but improvements in glucose uptake performed under various conditions were found to be greater in root extracts. It is assumed that Cannabis root extracts exhibited an improvement in glucose uptake through mechanisms such as AMP-activated protein kinase activation, not depending on general antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: Further research is needed on the mechanisms and substances that exhibit the anti-diabetic effects of Cannabis roots and stems.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.45-45
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• 2021

This study aimed to explore research on bibliometric features of cannabis by applying scientometric analysis method, and to approach experimental research evaluation based on it. A total of 30,352 articles on cannabis published since 2001 from SCOPUS were analyzed using KnowledgeMatrix Plus and VOSviewer software. Results showed differences in research activities in countries where cannabis is legalized (Canada, the United States, the Netherlands) and Asian countries where its use is illegal. Related to medical cannabis, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of studies on pain, epilepsy, seizures and brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis. In the field of basic research, the number of pharmacological studies of cannabis on the cannabinoid type 1 receptor signaling pathway and inflammation and obesity has increased significantly. Subsequent experimental studies have compared the anti-inflammatory effects of four parts of Korean cannabis such as root, stem, leaf, and bark. Consistent with the predicted results of the scientometric analysis, all parts of C. sativa showed inhibitory effects on COX-2, NO/iNOS and TNF-α expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These attempts provide an experimental research approach based on scientometric assessment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.179-190
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• 2024

Cannabis sativa is a plant widely cultivated worldwide and has been used as a material for food, medicine, building materials and cosmetics. In this study, we assessed the functional effects of C. sativa stem and root extracts using network pharmacology and confirmed their novel functions. The components in stem and root ethanol extracts were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, and networks between the components and proteins were constructed using the STICHI database. Functional annotation of the proteins was performed using the KEGG pathway. The effects of the extracts were confirmed in lysophosphatidylcholine-induced THP-1 cells using real-time PCR. A total of 21 and 32 components were identified in stem and root extracts, respectively, and 147 and 184 proteins were linked to stem and root components, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis showed that 69 pathways, including the MAPK signaling pathway, were commonly affected by the extracts. Further investigation using pathway networks revealed that terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was likely affected by the extracts, and the expression of the MVK and MVD genes, key proteins in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, was decreased in LPC-induced THP-1 cells. Therefore, this study determined the diverse function of C. sativa extracts, providing information for predicting and researching the effects of C. sativa.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.581-586
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• 2021

The high fatality of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) is closely related to acute pneumonia and severe blood clot formation in brain, heart, kidney and lung. The use of low-molecular weight heparins has been shown to reduce the risk of thrombosis and reduce fatality rates among COVID-19 patients. In this study, we investigated the antithrombotic activity of different parts of C. sativa extracts to determine its potential in preventing blood clots in patients with thromboprophylaxis. The extracts of leaf, stem, root, immature flower and seed of C. sativa showed strong inhibitory activities on blood clot formation. In particular, the flower extract showed the strongest inhibitions against blood coagulation factors and thrombin. Strong hemolysis activities were observed in flower extract and seed extract, suggested that removal of the hemolysis active compounds in th extracts is necessary. This is a first report of anti-thrombosis activities of different parts of C. sativa extracts, and our results suggest that C. sativa extract has potential has a valuable bioresource for high-value products.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-217
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• 2000

In order to select more proper plants for phytoextraction at the heavy metal polluted areas, 11 species of non-edible plants were cultivated at the cadmium(Cd) and Lead(Pb) treated soils and analyzed the content of the absorbed Cd and Pb in each part of plants. Plants include three fibers(Linum usitatissimum, Cannabis sativa, Gossypium spp.), three flowers(Calendula officinalis, Rhododendron lateritium, Portulaca grandiflora), and five trees(Pinus thunbergii, Magnolia kobus, $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii, Euonymus japonica, Fraxinus rhynchophylla). Yield of tree species were higher than that of fiber and flower species. Cd and Pb were highly accumulated in root rather than leaves and stems. The Cd content of plants was in the order Portulaca grandiflora > Calendula officinalis > Gossypium spp. > Linum usitatissimum, Pb was Cannabis sativa > Linum usitatissimum > Fraxinus rhynchophylla. Total absorbed Cd by each plant was in the order $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii > Euonymus japonica > Rhododendron lateritium, but Pb was $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii > Rhododendron lateritium > Euonymus japonica. Total absorbed Cd and Pb contents in plants were negatively correlated with the residual Cd and Pb in the treated soils. It was estimated that $Populus\;nigra\;{\times}\;P.$ maximowiczii, Euonymus japonica, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, and Rhododendron lateritium were the most effective species for phytoextraction in the polluted area considering yield and heavy metal uptake.