@article {2517, title = {Mechanistic Insights on the Neuro-Modulatory Potential of Cannabis sativa: A Network Pharmacology- and Molecular Dynamics Simulation-Based Approach}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {August 2025}, pages = {407-419}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {407}, abstract = {

Background: Although, studies have reported the use of cannabis as a temporary antidepressant and implicated its chronic use in neurological diseases, the exact mechanisms through which these happen remain elusive. Objective: This study aims to investigate the neuro-modulatory potential of cannabis as antidepressant and its role in neurological disorders Methodology: Network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation were employed to unveil the mechanism of cannabis as a temporary antidepressant and potential agent implicated in neurological disorders. Results: A total of 156 cannabis metabolites were retrieved from data mining. 22 genes were common in cannabis metabolites and central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters{\textquoteright} genes. Glutamate receptor activity and neuroactive ligand receptor activity (NALR) were the most enriched biological process and signalling pathway, respectively, with cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) and glutamate metabotropic receptor 2 (GRM2) being the hub targets in the NALR pathway. A probe into the structural stability of top-ranked metabolites identified cholesterol- CNR1 (-73.88 kcal/mol) and campesterol-CNR1 (-65.96 kcal/mol) with lower free binding energy than reference antidepressant drug (anandamide) (-65.08 kcal/mol), whereas for GRM2, the binding free energy of nerolidol (-43.57 kcal/mol) which was the least among the top ranked metabolites was higher compared to anandamide (-58.78 kcal/mol). Conclusion: Data from this study shows that the profiled cannabis metabolites displayed modulatory effects on key neurotransmitters of the CNS and their receptors and formed stable binding interaction with genes implicated in brain functioning suggestive of the mechanistic effect of cannabis on brain activity during depression and chronic use.

}, keywords = {Cannabinoid receptors, Cannabis, Depression, Neurological diseases, Neurotransmitters}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.51}, author = {Christina Peter and Halimat Yusuf Lukman and Nosipho Wendy S{\textquoteright}thebe and Usman Abiola Sanni and Saheed SABIU} } @article {1703, title = {Comparative Modulatory Assessment of the Sperm Quality and Testicular Function by Solvent Fractions of the Cannabis Extract in Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {December 2021}, pages = {1678-1687}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {1678}, abstract = {

Background: The bioactive ingredients present in medicinal plants have various pharmacological activities which have explored for therapeutic and management of disease conditions like infertility. Objective: This study evaluated the comparative modulations on semen quality and testicular function in the rat by solvents soluble portions of ethanolic leaf extract in varying polar solvents. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly placed into five groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) with five rats per group: A, control: 0.2 ml 2 \% DMSO was administered, B (vitamin C): 90 mg/kg body weight, 4.4 mg/kg body weight of n-hexane, 3.65 mg/kg body weight of ethyl acetate, 0.52 mg/kg body weight of n-butanol and 0.18 mg/kg body weight of the residual portion of Cannabis leaf extract were given to groups C, D, E and F, respectively. The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last day of 60 days of treatment. Results: Sperm indices, testosterone, FSH, LH, and HDL showed significant increase (p <= 0.05) across the treatment groups compared to normal control. Similarly, there was a significant increase in activity (p <= 0.05) of ALP, ACP, SOD, and CAT across the treatment groups compared to normal control. In addition, there were significant increases in GSH, MDA, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein concentration levels across the treatment groups compared to normal control. The n-butanol soluble portion showed normal histomorphology with typical seminiferous tubule with spermatogonia lying on the basement membrane. Conclusion: Testicular integrity and improved sperm quality were pronounced in rats administered n-butanol solvent portion.

}, keywords = {Cannabis, Fertility, Medicinal., Sperm, Testis}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2021.13.216}, author = {Nwonuma Charles O and Favours God{\textquoteright}slove Oluwafemi and Rotimi Damilare E and Alejolowo Omokolade O and Ojo Oluwafemi A and Afolabi Boluwatife L and Irokanulo Emenike O} }