Liposomal hemp extract for the management of cachexia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31989/bchd.v6i4.1007

Abstract

Background: The onset of cachexia, a body-wasting condition, is an ominous sign— it occurs in up to 80% of patients with cancer and is the ultimate cause of death in up to 20% of these patients. Moreover, cachexia can make treatment for cancer more difficult and less effective. With no approved treatment for cachexia, some patients have experimented with cannabis to increase their appetite. Findings on the use of cannabis as a treatment for cachexia have shown some promise; however, well-designed clinical trials of cannabinoids are necessary to provide guidance to both physicians and patients regarding formulation and dose.

Objective: The aim of this studyas to use a mouse model to examine the effects of a liposomal cannabinoid-containing hemp extract on cancer-related cachexia.

Method: Bagg Albino c mice were inoculated with colon 26 tumor cells and followed until they developed signs and symptoms of cachexia. Upon onset of cachexia, the mice received a single dose of either 0.2 mg or 1 mg of a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-free (THC-free) liposomal hemp extract containing 20% cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids. A control group received no treatment. Another dose of 0.2 mg liposomal hemp extract was given after a few days to mice that failed to respond to treatment, or to mice that initially responded to treatment but began to lose weight again after stabilizing.

Results: Of the 7 mice who were given 1 mg liposomal hemp extract, 4 gained weight and survived. Of the 7 mice who were given 0.2 mg of liposomal hemp extract, 2 gained weight and survived. Only 1 of the 9 mice in the control group survived.

Conclusion: The findings suggest the beneficial effects of liposomal hemp extract in treating and, in some cases, reversing cachexia and improving survival in a mouse model. This study revealed promising results that should be replicated in human subjects to test if similar results are seen and to determine an optimal dose.


Keyword: Hemp, Cannabinoids, Liposomal, Cancer, Cachexia, Mouse

Author Biographies

  • Emek Blair, CELLg8
    Dr. Blair is owner of a liposomal manufacturing company, CELLg8 and Valimenta Labs. He is a PhD graduate (chemistry) of University of California, Irvine.
  • Alan L Miller, CELLg8
    Dr. Miller currently is Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at CELLg8/Valimenta Labs, a technology company and contract manufacturer of liposomal nutrients. He has authored over 25 peer-reviewed articles and is a  principal investigator in six clinical studies, and is a graduate of Bastyr University.

Downloads

Published

2023-04-07

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 4 (2023): April 2023

Section

Research Articles

License

Any manuscripts or substantial parts of it, submitted to the journal must not be under consideration by or previously published in any other journal or citable form. Authors are required to ensure that no material submitted as part of a manuscript infringes existing copyrights or the rights of a third party. In submitting one's article in any form, the author has assigned the FFC publishing rights and has agreed to an automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher. This is so that the FFC may create print option journals, for example, at the FFC’s discretion. If the author wishes to distribute their works by means outside of the FFC, for example within their community, they will have to place a request. 

 

Correspondence concerning articles published in Functional Foods in Health and Disease is encouraged. While derivative works (adaptations, extensions on the current work, etc.) are allowed, distribution of the modified material is not allowed without permission from the FFC.