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Potency Assessment of CBD Oils by Their Effects on Cell Signaling Pathways
Yasuyo Urasaki1, Cody Beaumont2, Michelle Workman2
1College of Pharmacy, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10530 Discovery Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89135, USA.
Nutrients
|February 6, 2020
Summary
Adulterated cannabidiol (CBD) oils showed diminished biological activity compared to unadulterated CBD oil, which suppressed neuronal signaling pathways. Nanofluidic protein posttranslational modification (PTM) profiling effectively assessed CBD oil potency.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly used for potential therapeutic benefits.
- Understanding the impact of CBD products on neuronal signaling is crucial.
- Variability in CBD product composition may affect biological activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of various CBD oils and isolated CBD on neuronal signaling pathways.
- To assess the potency and biological activity of different CBD formulations.
- To evaluate nanofluidic protein PTM profiling as a method for CBD oil assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nanofluidic protein posttranslational modification (PTM) profiling.
- Analyzed the effects of six CBD oils and isolated CBD on SH-SY5Y neuronal cell line signaling pathways.
- Performed chemical composition analysis of CBD products, including CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.
Main Results:
- Isolated CBD was cytotoxic (EC50 = 40 µM), while CBD oils were not cytotoxic at high concentrations (>1.2 mM).
- Unadulterated CBD oil significantly suppressed the pI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway (EC50 = 143 µM), affecting seven out of nine pathways.
- Adulterated CBD oils and isolated CBD exhibited weak or undetectable effects on neuronal signaling, indicating reduced biological activity.
Conclusions:
- Adulteration significantly diminishes the biological activities and potency of CBD oils.
- Nanofluidic protein PTM profiling offers a robust method for assessing the potency of CBD products.
- Unadulterated CBD oil demonstrates specific suppressive effects on neuronal signaling pathways.
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