Kush Creams and Science
The potential role of cannabinoids in dermatology
T. Sheriff, Matthew J Lin, D. Dubin, H. Khorasani
One sentence summary: Overall, cannabinoids, including CBG, demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and antimicrobial properties, offering potential alternatives to traditional treatments for various dermatological conditions
Abstract: Cannabis is increasingly being used world-wide to treat a variety of dermatological conditions. Medicinal cannabis is currently legalized in Canada, 31 states in America and 19 countries in Europe. The authors reviewed the literature on the pharmacology and use of cannabinoids in treating a variety of skin conditions including acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, skin cancer, pruritus, and pain. Cannabinoids have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, anti-ageing, and anti-malignancy properties by various mechanisms including interacting with the newly found endocannabinoid system of the skin thereby providing a promising alternative to traditional treatments.
In Vitro and Clinical Evaluation of Cannabigerol (CBG) Produced via Yeast Biosynthesis: A Cannabinoid with a Broad Range of Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Health-Boosting Properties
E. Pérez, José R. Fernández, C. Fitzgerald, K. Rouzard
One sentence summary: Altogether, CBG’s broad range of in vitro and clinical skin health-promoting activities demonstrates its strong potential as a safe, effective ingredient for topical use and suggests there are areas where it may be more effective than CBD.
Abstract: Cannabigerol (CBG) is a minor non-psychoactive cannabinoid present in Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) at low levels (<1% per dry weight) that serves as the direct precursor to both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Consequently, efforts to extract and purify CBG from C. sativa is both challenging and expensive. However, utilizing a novel yeast fermentation technology platform, minor cannabinoids such as CBG can be produced in a more sustainable, cost-effective, and timely process as compared to plant-based production. While CBD has been studied extensively, demonstrating several beneficial skin properties, there are a paucity of studies characterizing the activity of CBG in human skin. Therefore, our aim was to characterize and compare the in vitro activity profile of non-psychoactive CBG and CBD in skin and be the first group to test CBG clinically on human skin. Gene microarray analysis conducted using 3D human skin equivalents demonstrates that CBG regulates more genes than CBD, including several key skin targets. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were exposed in culture to pro-inflammatory inducers to trigger cytokine production and oxidative stress. Results demonstrate that CBG and CBD reduce reactive oxygen species levels in HDFs better than vitamin C. Moreover, CBG inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine (Interleukin-1β, -6, -8, tumor necrosis factor α) release from several inflammatory inducers, such as ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), chemical, C. acnes, and in several instances does so more potently than CBD. A 20-subject vehicle-controlled clinical study was performed with 0.1% CBG serum and placebo applied topically for 2 weeks after sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritation. CBG serum showed statistically significant improvement above placebo for transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduction in the appearance of redness. Altogether, CBG’s broad range of in vitro and clinical skin health-promoting activities demonstrates its strong potential as a safe, effective ingredient for topical use and suggests there are areas where it may be more effective than CBD.
Full text; https://kushcreams.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/molecules-27-00491-1.pdf
Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol Exert Antimicrobial Activity without Compromising Skin Microbiota
Mariana Luz-Veiga, M. Amorim, Inês Pinto-Ribeiro
One sentence summary: CBG also exhibits antimicrobial activity against planktonic bacteria and biofilms, potentially serving as a preservative in cosmetics without negatively impacting skin microbiota.
Abstract: Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are two pharmacologically active phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa L. Their antimicrobial activity needs further elucidation, particularly for CBG, as reports on this cannabinoid are scarce. We investigated CBD and CBG’s antimicrobial potential, including their ability to inhibit the formation and cause the removal of biofilms. Our results demonstrate that both molecules present activity against planktonic bacteria and biofilms, with both cannabinoids removing mature biofilms at concentrations below the determined minimum inhibitory concentrations. We report for the first time minimum inhibitory and lethal concentrations for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (ranging from 400 to 3180 µM), as well as the ability of cannabinoids to inhibit Staphylococci adhesion to keratinocytes, with CBG demonstrating higher activity than CBD. The value of these molecules as preservative ingredients for cosmetics was also assayed, with CBG meeting the USP 51 challenge test criteria for antimicrobial effectiveness. Further, the exact formulation showed no negative impact on skin microbiota. Our results suggest that phytocannabinoids can be promising topical antimicrobial agents when searching for novel therapeutic candidates for different skin conditions. Additional research is needed to clarify phytocannabinoids’ mechanisms of action, aiming to develop practical applications in dermatological use.
full text: https://kushcreams.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ijms-24-02389-v3.pdf
Emu Oil, A Natural Polyvalent Therapy.
M. Nedea, C. Nedea
Journal of the American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences
Abstract summary
Emu oil has beneficial effects on health, including potential for promoting healthy scalps and hair regrowth.
This paper is an endeavour to bring together some the research results and information available in the scientific literature, regarding the properties and the therapeutic uses of emu oil. The review was done with the purpose to inform readers about the beneficial effects of emu oil on one’s health and to explain these effects based on its chemical composition. The Emu is a bird indigenous to Australia, belonging to the same family as the ostrich; from its fat, an oil is obtained through a process of melting and refining. The native people of Australia, the Aborigines, discovered thousands of years ago the benefits of emu oil and incorporated it into their culture as a valuable commodity. They used emu oil for a multitude of purposes: as a treatment for burns and arthritis, for improvement of muscular pain and as a remedy for skin ailments. Prior to 1990, very little research had been done on the emu and its oil in the US and Australia; however today, due to ongoing interest in the latter, there are a lot of research findings on the chemical composition, the properties and the therapeutic usage of emu oil. Frequently, numerous physicians recommending the treatment with emu oil to reduce the bad cholesterol level, or to ameliorate the symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, haemorrhoids, acne, gave evidence about its miraculous effects. Emu oil proved to be a nutraceutical and cosmeceutical product with beneficial effects on the health; it does not produce allergies or other adverse effects.
Full Text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331789844_Emu_Oil_A_Natural_Polyvalent_Therapy