A review on potential role of cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in different types of cancer

Abstract

Cannabinoids are the main chemical component of marijuana plant, which is also known as psychotropic and habit forming substance. There is a long history of using cannabinoids in therapeutic purpose. According to Baker et al.( 2003), even Queen Victoria was recommended cannabis for alleviation of dysmenorrhea. Currently in the area of cancer research role of cannabinoid's has been created a great interest. Medicinal marijuana has been approved for therapeutic purpose in various nations, for example, Canada, Australia, Israel, and Germany. In USA synthetic cannabinoid based medicine Nabilone and Darbinol is approved by U.S. food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of nausea and vomiting that is side effect of chemotherapy. In addition, researchers found that endocannabinoid system has important function as pro-tumorigenic. Many preclinical in-vitro examinations recommend that, Δ9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) or other phaytocannabinoid, synthetic and endocannabinoids have anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic, pro-apoptotic effects to lung carcinoma, lymphoma, gliomas, skin carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, pancreatic growth and breast carcinoma. Recent studies suggest that cannabinoids have ability to regulate cellular signaling pathways which create critical environment for cell growth and survival. This review is a summary of function of different cannabinoids in different types of cancer and lastly correlates the situation in Bangladesh perspective.