Phytochemical characterization and cytotoxic potential of extracts from roots and inflorescences of Cannabis sativa L. cv. Eletta Campana
Author(s)
Date Issued
2023
Type
article
Volume
36
Start Page
101269
Abstract
Cannabis roots have been used in folk medicine for millennia and as nutrient storage systems,
contain compounds that may have medicinal value. Despite this, cannabis roots have generally
received little attention compared to cannabis flowers, leaves and seeds and were for a long time
considered just a waste product. In this paper, for the first time, the extracts of dried roots and in-
florescences of Cannabis sativa L. cv Eletta Campana, were chemically investigated in order to
compare their metabolite content. The obtained results highlighted a profile rich in fatty acids in
the roots and cannabinoids in the inflorescences. Other components such as monoterpenes,
sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenes were also detected. The extracts were also evaluated in
terms of cytotoxic activity by using a panel of cancer cell lines derived from different histotypes
including melanoma (A375, M14), colon (HCT116, HT29), breast (MDAMB231, MCF7) and non-
small cell lung cancer (H1299, A549). Although both extracts significantly reduced the cancer
cell viability, the inflorescence extract was more potent. Furthermore, the latter induced a com-
parable response in all tested cancer cell lines, while melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer
were the most sensitive histotypes to the root extract treatment.
Subjects