Cannabis extracts and their cytotoxic effects on human erythrocytes, fibroblasts, and murine melanoma

Most of the pharmacological effects of Cannabis species have been attributed to their cannabinoid constituents, primarily Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Efficient methods of extraction, purification, and characterization of these compounds are necessary to obtain both enriched preparations and isolated compounds for therapeutic applications. In this study, forensic samples of Cannabis sativa L., Cannabaceae, were subjected to extraction, using maceration in two different solvents, methanol, and diethyl ether. These extracts were subjected to thermal decarboxylation and purification by liquid–liquid fractionation. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol concentrations from various extracts were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Extract cytotoxicity was assayed in vitro using human erythrocytes, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH3T3), and murine melanoma (B16F10) cells. The B16F10 cell death mechanism was also evaluated after treatment with extract samples. The results demonstrated promising effects of various cannabinoid extracts in a murine melanoma cancer line. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]