Chemical composition of seized cannabis and its extraction for medical purposes

Cannabis indica obtained from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand was examined for medical purposes. The ONCB cannabis was seized and distributed to our research group for investigation of chemical compositions and purification of major cannabinoids. Its essential oil was analysed and aromadendrene was identified as the major terpene. Small amounts of cannabinoids were also observed. The components of the seized cannabis were extracted using ethanolic extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction. All crude extracts were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a cannabinoid analyser. All extracts contained cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), and Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) as the major constituents. A preliminary study showed notable anticancer activities of CBD, CBN and Delta(9)-THC against cervix carcinoma cell and epithelial human breast cancer cell.

Automated summary

The study analyzed Cannabis indica obtained from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand and identified its major components as aromadendrene, cannabinoids, including CBD, CBN, and Delta(9)-THC. Preliminary results showed significant anticancer activities of CBD, CBN, and Delta(9)-THC against cervix carcinoma cell and epithelial human breast cancer cell.