tobacco-hornworm-as-an-insect-model-system-for-cannabinoid-pre

Tobacco Hornworm as an Insect Model System for Cannabinoid Pre-clinical Studies

With increased attention on cannabinoids in medicine, several mammalian model organisms have been used to elucidate their unknown pharmaceutical ...

Colorado State University-Pueblo

Upland cotton ( L.) produces terpenoid aldehydes (TAs) that protect the plant from microbial and insect infestations. Foliar TAs include plus (+)- and minus (-)-gossypol, hemigossypolone, and heliocides. To examine foliar TAs' response to physical wounding, the four TA derivatives of a fully glanded  variety JACO GL were quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. The results show that foliar heliocides increased by 1.7-fold in younger leaves after wounding. While the hemigossypolone level was not affected by the physical wounding, the level of heliocides was significantly increased up to 1.8-fold in the younger leaves. Upland cotton accumulates concentrated carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids in foliar extrafloral nectar (EFN) to serve as a nutrient resource, which attracts both beneficial insects and damaging pests. To better understand the nectar physiology, particularly to determine the temporal dynamics of EFN metabolites in response to the wounding, a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to perform metabolic profiling analyses of a  variety Deltapine 383 that has fully developed extrafloral nectaries. A total of 301 compounds were monitored, specifically 75 primary metabolites, two secondary metabolites and 224 unidentified compounds. The physical wounding treatment changed the EFN composition and lowered overall production. The accumulation of 30 metabolites was altered in response to the wounding treatment and threonic acid levels increased consistently. GC-MS combined with Kovat's analysis enabled identification of EFN secondary metabolites including furfuryl alcohol and 5-hyrdomethoxyfurfural, which both have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that may protect the nectar against microbial pathogens. This study provides new insights into the wounding response of cotton plants in terms of cotton metabolites found in leaf glands and extrafloral nectar as well as highlighting some protective functions of secondary metabolites produced in foliar glands and extrafloral nectaries.

Chemical defense responses of upland cotton,  L. to physical wounding.

Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana or hemp, produces a non-psychoactive compound cannabidiol (CBD). To investigate the defensive role of CBD, a feeding preference assay was performed with tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. The larvae clearly show feeding preference towards the Cannabis tissue containing low CBD over high CBD. While the larva avoided the high CBD diet, we investigated detrimental effects of CBD in the insects' diet. Contrasted to the performance on low CBD-infused artificial diet (AD), larvae reared on the high CBD diet suffer significantly reduced growth and increased mortality. Through testing different carriers, we found that the increase of EtOH in the diet is negatively correlated with insect development and behaviors. Notably, CBD treatment significantly improved ethanol-intoxicated larval survival rate by 40% and also improved diet searching activity, resulting in increased diet consumption. Electrophysiology results revealed that the CBD-treated ganglia had delayed but much larger response with electric stimuli in comparison to the larvae reared on AD only and EtOH-added diet. Our results show CBDs' defensive role against pest insects, which suggests its possible use as an insecticide. We also provide evidence that CBD alleviates alcohol-induced stress; consequently, improving the performance and viability of M. sexta larvae.

Contrasting Roles of Cannabidiol as an Insecticide and Rescuing Agent for Ethanol-induced Death in the Tobacco Hornworm Manduca sexta.

This review aims to present completed clinical trial data surrounding the medicinal benefits and potential side effects of the increasingly popular cannabidiol (CBD)-based drug products, specifically Epidiolex. The article is divided into two sections based on if the ailment being treated by this cannabinoid is classified as either physiological or neurological conditions. In addition to describing the current status, we also examined the different primary and secondary outcomes recorded for each study, which varies greatly depending on the funding source of the clinical trial. With the recent FDA-approval of Epidiolex, this review mainly focused on trials involving this specific formulation since it is the only CBD-based drug currently available to clinicians, although all other clinically trialed CBD(A) drugs were also examined. We hope this review will help guide future research and clinical trials by providing the various outcomes measured in a single review.

Cannabidiol Drugs Clinical Trial Outcomes and Adverse Effects.

For nearly a century,  has been stigmatized and criminalized across the globe, but in recent years, there has been a growing interest in  due to the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids. With this emerging interest in , concerns have arisen about the possible contaminations of hemp with pesticides, heavy metals, microbial pathogens, and carcinogenic compounds during the cultivation, manufacturing, and packaging processes. This is of particular concern for those turning to  for medicinal purposes, especially those with compromised immune systems. This review aims to provide types of contaminants and examples of  contamination using case studies that elucidate the medical consequences consumers risk when using adulterated  products. Thus, it is imperative to develop universal standards for cultivation and testing of products to protect those who consume .

Article	Year
Chemical defense responses of upland cotton, L. to physical wounding. Plant direct\| PubMed ID: 31245779	2019
Contrasting Roles of Cannabidiol as an Insecticide and Rescuing Agent for Ethanol-induced Death in the Tobacco Hornworm Manduca sexta. Scientific reports\| PubMed ID: 31324859	2019
Cannabidiol Drugs Clinical Trial Outcomes and Adverse Effects. Frontiers in pharmacology\| PubMed ID: 32161538	2020
Cannabis Contaminants Limit Pharmacological Use of Cannabidiol. Frontiers in pharmacology\| PubMed ID: 33013414	2020

Christopher Pauli

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