HCC, effect of cannabinoids in animal models
| Disease model | Treatment | Comparator | Results | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Female athymic nude mice; HepG2 cells s.c. xenograft | CBD suspension (40 mg/kg per day p.o.), for two weeks | Controls: castor oil | Tumour volume in controls was ~1,100 mm3, in mice treated with CBD ~600 mm3; CBD effectively suppresses HCC cell growth in vivo and in vitro | [105] |
Male athymic nude mice; HepG2 or HuH-7 cells s.c. xenograft | THC (15 mg/kg per day s.c.), for two weeks | Controls: JWH-015 (1.5 mg/kg per day) or vehicle (saline) | Tumour volume in controls was 2 to 3 times higher than in mice treated with THC or JWH-015; THC effectively suppresses HCC cell growth | [106] |
| Male athymic nude mice, orthotopic HCC model. HepG2 cells inoculated in the liver | THC (15 mg/kg per day s.c.), for 10 days | Controls: JWH-015 (1.5 mg/kg per day) or vehicle (saline) | THC and JWH-015 reduced ascites and alpha-fetoprotein expression, parallel to mTORC1 inhibition, AMPK activation and autophagy stimulation | [106] |
mTORC1: mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin complex 1; AMPK: adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase; p.o.: per os; ~: about