Unveiling the Antioxidant Role of Hemp Oils in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

The global incidence of cancer continues to rise at an alarming rate, with annual cases projected to increase by 47% from 19.3 million in 2020 to 28.4 million by 2025. Cannabis sativa L. was among the earliest plants investigated for potential anticancer therapies, due to its more than 100 bioactive constituents that confer notable antioxidant properties. Hemp-derived extracts, particularly those rich in cannabidiol (CBD), exhibit notable synergistic biological effects, including the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, alongside the promotion of apoptosis. These pharmacological attributes suggest that hemp oils may serve as promising alternatives or adjuncts to conventional chemotherapy, offering potential therapeutic benefits with a reduced risk of severe adverse effects. This review discusses the current literature on hemp oils, with emphasis on their roles in cancer prevention, therapeutic efficacy, and potential toxicity in humans. Furthermore, it explores the various extraction methods employed in hemp oil production and examines their chemical compositions, offering a comprehensive understanding of the principal antioxidant constituents responsible for their bioactivity to the readers.