Phytocannabinoids as Bioassay Targets in Anticancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

Cancer could be the primary barrier to increasing life expectancy in the 21st century. Statistics estimate that one in five people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime before the age of 75. Some current technologies and drugs target both cancerous and healthy cells, affecting the selectivity and effectiveness of treatments. Therefore, developing new technologies, and emphasizing targeted drug therapy for specific cancer cells, is crucial. Cannabis sativa and its phytoconstituents have gained significant attention within the scientific community due to their broad biological activities, including anticancer effects. Recent studies suggest that extracts, essential oils, and cannabinoids influence various factors, including cell signaling pathways, proteins and enzymes involved in the apoptosis of cancer cells, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This chapter aims to summarize the anticancer properties of C. sativa and its phytoconstituents while synthesizing the different methods used to evaluate these activities.