Posters and Spotlights
Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Cannabis
Start Date
30-4-2025 11:30 AM
Document Type
Event
Description
Poster Presenter: Pankul Kotwal
Research Team: Pankul Kotwal, Islam Husain, Olivia R. Dale, Ikhlas A. Khan, Robert Welch, Shabana I. Khan
Abstract: Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis) has long been used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments. Nowadays, medical cannabis is considered a promising option for the treatment of certain diseases, such as, epilepsy, and chronic pain. etc. The consumption of cannabis for therapeutic purposes has surged globally, imposing an understanding of its interactions with conventional medications. Cannabis contains cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are known for their pharmacological properties and may significantly affect drug metabolism and transport mechanisms.
In this research work we have investigated the herb-drug interaction potential of hydroethanolic extracts of cannabis (CE-1 and CE-2), particularly their effects on xenobiotic nuclear receptors, such as the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Additionally, we examined the influence of cannabis extracts on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, including both CYP inhibition and mRNA expression of CYP activation, as well as the impact on membrane transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition.
Activation of PXR and AhR could lead to altered expression of drug-metabolizing CYP enzymes and transporters (e.g., P-gp), potentially resulting in pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions that affect drug efficacy and increase the risk of adverse reactions. This underscores the importance for careful co-administration of cannabis with other medications.
Our results suggest that cannabis base products may modulate PXR, AhR and CYP enzymes, potentially contributing to pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions (HDIs), affecting drug efficacy and increasing the risk of unintended adverse events upon co- administration with other pharmaceutical drugs. Further research is warranted to establish clinical correlation.
Relational Format
poster
Recommended Citation
Kotwal, Pankul, "Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Cannabis" (2025). Showcase of Research and Scholarly Activity. 39.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ored_showcase/2025/posters/39
Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Cannabis
Poster Presenter: Pankul Kotwal
Research Team: Pankul Kotwal, Islam Husain, Olivia R. Dale, Ikhlas A. Khan, Robert Welch, Shabana I. Khan
Abstract: Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis) has long been used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments. Nowadays, medical cannabis is considered a promising option for the treatment of certain diseases, such as, epilepsy, and chronic pain. etc. The consumption of cannabis for therapeutic purposes has surged globally, imposing an understanding of its interactions with conventional medications. Cannabis contains cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are known for their pharmacological properties and may significantly affect drug metabolism and transport mechanisms.
In this research work we have investigated the herb-drug interaction potential of hydroethanolic extracts of cannabis (CE-1 and CE-2), particularly their effects on xenobiotic nuclear receptors, such as the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Additionally, we examined the influence of cannabis extracts on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, including both CYP inhibition and mRNA expression of CYP activation, as well as the impact on membrane transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition.
Activation of PXR and AhR could lead to altered expression of drug-metabolizing CYP enzymes and transporters (e.g., P-gp), potentially resulting in pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions that affect drug efficacy and increase the risk of adverse reactions. This underscores the importance for careful co-administration of cannabis with other medications.
Our results suggest that cannabis base products may modulate PXR, AhR and CYP enzymes, potentially contributing to pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions (HDIs), affecting drug efficacy and increasing the risk of unintended adverse events upon co- administration with other pharmaceutical drugs. Further research is warranted to establish clinical correlation.