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The potential protective and therapeutic effects of cannabidiol oil on experimental Leukemia induced by DMBA in male rats

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Abstract

Background

7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) is a member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon family. It is a member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon family. It is a mutagenic, carcinogenic, and immunosuppressor agent. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid. It has anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible protective and therapeutic benefits of CBD oil in DMBA-induced leukemia in rats.

Method

Experimental animals were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group 1 (normal control) included healthy rats. Group 2 included normal rats that received olive oil. Group 3 included normal rats that received CBD. Group 4 included the DMBA-induced leukemic group. Group 5 (prophylactic group) included rats that received CBD as a prophylaxis before IV injection with DMBA. Group 6 (treated group) included DMBA-induced leukemic rats that received CBD as treatment. Liver functions (total, direct and indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, globulin, and albumin globulin ratio) were measured. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured. Total RNA extraction followed by-real time qRT-PCR gene expression of LC3-II, Beclin, mTOR, and P62 was performed. Histopathological examination of liver and spleen tissues was performed.

Results

Administration of CBD in groups 5 and 6 resulted in a significant improvement of the levels of liver functions compared to the leukemic untreated rats. Also, the levels of catalase and SOD significantly increased after treatment with CBD compared to the leukemic group. After treatment with CBD in groups 5 and 6, there were downregulations in the expression of all studied genes compared to leukemic untreated rats. Treatment with CBD was more statistically effective than prophylactic use.

Conclusion

Administration of CBD resulted in a significant improvement in the biochemical, antioxidant status, morphological, and molecular measures in DMBA-induced leukemia in adult male rats. The therapeutic use was more effective than the prophylactic one.

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Data availability

Available upon a reasonable request.

Abbreviations

DMBA:

7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene

CBD:

Cannabidiol

LDH:

Lactate dehydrogenase

RBCs:

Red blood cells

Hb:

Hemoglobin

WBCs:

White blood cells count

RDLC:

Relative differential leukocytes count

ADLC:

Absolute differential leukocytes count

ALP:

Alkaline phosphatase

ALT:

Alanine transaminase

AST:

Aspartate aminotransferase

AML:

Acute myeloid leukemia

CML:

Chronic myeloid leukemia

ALL:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

CLL:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Nabil A. Soliman & Sara Mohamed Alashqar

  2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Samih I. El Dahmy

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Tarek Khamis

  4. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Reham Sameh

  5. Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Samia Hussein

  6. Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ibn Sina University for Medical Sciences, Amman, Jordan

    Samia Hussein

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  1. Nabil A. Soliman
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Contributions

N.A.S., S.I. E. D. and  S.H. wrote the main manuscript text. T.K., R.S., and S.M.A. prepared figures. All authors reviewed the manuscript. The authors declare that all data  were generated in-house and that no paper mill was used.

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Correspondence to Samia Hussein.

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The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (ZU-IACUC/1/F/193/2023)

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Soliman, N.A., El Dahmy, S.I., Khamis, T. et al. The potential protective and therapeutic effects of cannabidiol oil on experimental Leukemia induced by DMBA in male rats. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 397, 2389–2400 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-023-02737-6

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