Many studies that attempt to prove the efficacy of marijuana for therapeutic treatment, one of them cancer. However, the application of this research is blocked cannabinoid-containing compounds in the heady hallucinogens.
Cannabinoid is the active ingredient in cannabis or marijuana, known as THC. This compound stimulates the body's healing ability so that it can fight the cancer cell malignancy.
However, these obstacles slowly slipping. The researchers from St. George's University, London, has isolated six cannabinoid compounds that do not contain hallucinogens. Isolation of six compounds can develop a more effective anticancer treatments.
"This study is an important step in unlocking the mysteries of marijuana as a source of medicine," said lead researcher, Dr Wai Liu.
Liu added that the use of cannabinoids as anticancer therapeutics has one significant prospect.
Based on the National Cancer Institute, cannabinoid in marijuana has the effect of treatment by activating the receptor cells in the central nervous system and the immune system. Cell is then to fight the growth of cancer in the body.
Until recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana as a treatment for cancer, and other diseases . Cannabinoids, including dronabinol and nabilone, is only approved as a treatment for the side effects of cancer treatment.
This research also shows the limited knowledge of the cannabinoid. Research results in the form of non - cannabinoid compounds proved hallusinogenik commonly found in cannabinoid . These compounds are two forms of cannabidiol (CBD), two forms of cannabigerol (CBG), and two forms of cannabigevarin (CBGV).
"These compounds can interfere with the development of cancer cells, and prevent it from growing back. With the right dose, this compound could make cancer cells self-destruct," said Liu.
In this research, the six compounds injected in leukemia cancer cells. As a result, compounds exhibit anticancer properties, the same as the type cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, six of these compounds showed no adverse effects of hallucinogens compounds. Liu said, the next research step is to integrate these six compounds with existing treatments.
"By combining the two, we get a more effective treatment for cancer. Costs incurred to acquire six compounds in marijuana are also not expensive to allow cheaper treatment." said Liu.
