Therapeutic Potential and Predictive Pharmaceutical Modeling of Stilbenes in Cannabis sativa

Abstract

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.

Characterization of the Chemopreventive Properties of Cannabis sativa L. Inflorescences from Monoecious Cultivars Grown in Central Italy

“…A great deal of attention has been especially devoted to phytocannabinoids, among which cannabidiol was found to possess multiple bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects [8]. Moreover, other groups of phytochemicals, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and flavonoids have been highlighted as possessing interesting bioactivities [7,[9][10][11], thus suggesting their contribution to those of the entire hemp phytocomplex. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests the occurrence of entourage effects among the phytochemicals of the hemp phytocomplexes, which can lead to both synergistic and antagonistic interactions, which may enhance or modify the biological effects of the isolated compounds, as well as limiting the toxic effects [12][13][14].…”