<i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC
<i>Cannabis sativa</i> (<i>Cannabis</i>) is one of the world’s most well-known, yet maligned plant species. However, significant recent research is starting to unveil the potential of <i>Cannabis</i> to produce secondary compounds that may offer a suite of medical...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Biomedicines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/3/234 |
| _version_ | 1797395168003883008 |
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| author | Jackson M. J. Oultram Joseph L. Pegler Timothy A. Bowser Luke J. Ney Andrew L. Eamens Christopher P. L. Grof |
| author_facet | Jackson M. J. Oultram Joseph L. Pegler Timothy A. Bowser Luke J. Ney Andrew L. Eamens Christopher P. L. Grof |
| author_sort | Jackson M. J. Oultram |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Cannabis sativa</i> (<i>Cannabis</i>) is one of the world’s most well-known, yet maligned plant species. However, significant recent research is starting to unveil the potential of <i>Cannabis</i> to produce secondary compounds that may offer a suite of medical benefits, elevating this unique plant species from its illicit narcotic status into a genuine biopharmaceutical. This review summarises the lengthy history of <i>Cannabis</i> and details the molecular pathways that underpin the production of key secondary metabolites that may confer medical efficacy. We also provide an up-to-date summary of the molecular targets and potential of the relatively unknown minor compounds offered by the <i>Cannabis</i> plant. Furthermore, we detail the recent advances in plant science, as well as synthetic biology, and the pharmacology surrounding <i>Cannabis.</i> Given the relative infancy of <i>Cannabis</i> research, we go on to highlight the parallels to previous research conducted in another medically relevant and versatile plant, <i>Papaver somniferum</i> (opium poppy), as an indicator of the possible future direction of <i>Cannabis</i> plant biology. Overall, this review highlights the future directions of cannabis research outside of the medical biology aspects of its well-characterised constituents and explores additional avenues for the potential improvement of the medical potential of the <i>Cannabis</i> plant. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:30:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-857dca2c55724702a083c50b15b2ab2d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:30:33Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj.art-857dca2c55724702a083c50b15b2ab2d2023-12-11T18:33:03ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592021-02-019323410.3390/biomedicines9030234<i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THCJackson M. J. Oultram0Joseph L. Pegler1Timothy A. Bowser2Luke J. Ney3Andrew L. Eamens4Christopher P. L. Grof5Centre for Plant Science, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, AustraliaCentre for Plant Science, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, AustraliaCannaPacific Pty Ltd., 109 Ocean Street, Dudley, NSW 2290, AustraliaSchool of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, AustraliaCentre for Plant Science, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, AustraliaCentre for Plant Science, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia<i>Cannabis sativa</i> (<i>Cannabis</i>) is one of the world’s most well-known, yet maligned plant species. However, significant recent research is starting to unveil the potential of <i>Cannabis</i> to produce secondary compounds that may offer a suite of medical benefits, elevating this unique plant species from its illicit narcotic status into a genuine biopharmaceutical. This review summarises the lengthy history of <i>Cannabis</i> and details the molecular pathways that underpin the production of key secondary metabolites that may confer medical efficacy. We also provide an up-to-date summary of the molecular targets and potential of the relatively unknown minor compounds offered by the <i>Cannabis</i> plant. Furthermore, we detail the recent advances in plant science, as well as synthetic biology, and the pharmacology surrounding <i>Cannabis.</i> Given the relative infancy of <i>Cannabis</i> research, we go on to highlight the parallels to previous research conducted in another medically relevant and versatile plant, <i>Papaver somniferum</i> (opium poppy), as an indicator of the possible future direction of <i>Cannabis</i> plant biology. Overall, this review highlights the future directions of cannabis research outside of the medical biology aspects of its well-characterised constituents and explores additional avenues for the potential improvement of the medical potential of the <i>Cannabis</i> plant.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/3/234<i>Cannabis sativa</i> (<i>Cannabis</i>)cannabinoidstetrahydrocannabinol (THC)cannabidiol (CBD)cannabinoid receptors (CB<sub>1</sub> and CB<sub>2</sub>)<i>Papaver somniferum</i> (opium poppy) |
| spellingShingle | Jackson M. J. Oultram Joseph L. Pegler Timothy A. Bowser Luke J. Ney Andrew L. Eamens Christopher P. L. Grof <i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC Biomedicines <i>Cannabis sativa</i> (<i>Cannabis</i>) cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoid receptors (CB<sub>1</sub> and CB<sub>2</sub>) <i>Papaver somniferum</i> (opium poppy) |
| title | <i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC |
| title_full | <i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC |
| title_fullStr | <i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC |
| title_short | <i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC |
| title_sort | i cannabis sativa i interdisciplinary strategies and avenues for medical and commercial progression outside of cbd and thc |
| topic | <i>Cannabis sativa</i> (<i>Cannabis</i>) cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoid receptors (CB<sub>1</sub> and CB<sub>2</sub>) <i>Papaver somniferum</i> (opium poppy) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/3/234 |
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