Title:Cannabis Sativa L. Flower and Bud Extracts Inhibited In vitro Cholinesterases
and β-Secretase Enzymes Activities: Possible Mechanisms of
Cannabis Use in Alzheimer Disease
Volume: 22
Issue: 3
Author(s): Teboho Mooko, Asis Bala, Satyajit Tripathy, Chethan S. Kumar, Chandrashekara P. Mahadevappa, Sushil K. Chaudhary and Motlalepula G. Matsabisa*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology, Indigenous Knowledge System Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free
State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Keywords:
Cannabis sativa L., HPTLC, Cholinesterase inhibition, β-secretase inhibition, cytotoxicity, Alzheimer’s Disease.
Abstract:
Background: There are anecdotal claims on the use of Cannabis sativa L. in the treatment
of Alzheimer’s disease, but there is a lack of scientific data to support the efficacy and safety
of Cannabis sativa L. for Alzheimer’s disease.
Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of aerial parts of Cannabis sativa L. on the
cholinesterases and β-secretase enzymes activities as one of the possible mechanisms of
Alzheimer’s disease.
Methods: The phytochemical and heavy metal contents were analysed. The extracts were screened
for acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and β-secretase activity. Cytotoxicity of extracts
was performed in normal vero and pre-adipocytes cell lines. The extracts were characterized using
high-performance thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography for
their chemical fingerprints. Alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides were present amongst the tested
phytochemicals. Cannabidiol concentrations were comparatively high in the hexane and
dichloromethane than in dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) and methanol extracts.
Results: Hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed a better inhibitory potential towards cholinesterase
activity, while water, hexane, dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) and methanol showed an
inhibitory potential towards β-secretase enzyme activity. All extracts showed no cytotoxic effect
on pre-adipocytes and vero cells after 24- and 48-hours of exposure.
Conclusion: Therefore, this may explain the mechanism through which AD symptoms may be
treated and managed by Cannabis sativa L. extracts.
