Potential Health Benefits of Cannabis Extracts: A Review

Abstract

A central tenet underlying the use of plant preparations is that herbs contain many bioactive compounds. Cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) a primary metabolite with reported psychotropic effects. Therefore, the presence of THC makes controversial the use of Cannabis to treat diseases by which their uses and applications were limited. The question then is: is it possible to use the extracts from Cannabis to treat the diseases related with it use in folk medicine? More recently, the synergistic contributions of bioactive constituents have been scientifically demonstrated. We reviewed the literature concerning medical cannabis and its secondary metabolites, including fraction and total extracts. Scientific evidence shows that secondary metabolites in cannabis may enhance the positive effects of THC a primary metabolite. Other chemical components (cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid) in cannabis or its extracts may reduce THC-induced anxiety, cholinergic deficits, and immunosuppression; which could increase its therapeutic potential. Particular attention will be placed on non-cannabinoid compounds interactions that could produce synergy with respect to treatment of pain, inflammation, epilepsy, fungal and bacterial infections. The evidence accessible herein pointed out for the possible synergism that might occur involving the main phytocompounds with each other or with other minor components.