The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Cannabis sativa Leaves from Nigeria on the Antioxidants Markers in Albino Wistar Rats

Background: Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous plant in the Cannabis genus. The cannabis plant is widely regarded as a potent psychoactive, medicinal plant. Reportedly used for recreation and as intoxicant. The medical uses of the plant include effective control and management of chronic health problems such as HIV/AIDs, cancer, cachexia, nausea and vomiting, asthma and hypertension. C. sativa is known to possess antioxidative properties. This study therefore investigated the effects of C. sativa on antioxidant concentrations in albino Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Thirty (30) rats used for this study were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 received distilled water and served as control. Group 2 received C. sativa extract (100 ml/Kg body weight) by gavage and served as low dose group. Group 3 received C. sativa (250 ml/Kg body weight) by gavage and served as high dose group once daily for 28 days.

Results: Catalase (CAT) concentration was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the low dose group as compared with control. In the high dose group, CAT concentration was significantly lower (P<0.05) when compared with the low and control groups respectively. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the low dose group as compared with their respective control. GPx and SOD concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the high dose groups as compared to low dose and control groups respectively.

Conclusion: CAT concentration decreased dose-dependently, while GPx and SOD concentrations increased dose-dependently among treated groups. Treatment with C. sativa revealed a paradoxical effect on CAT concentration with respect to GPx and SOD concentrations. Therefore, oral ingestion of ethanolic extract of C. sativa may not have significant effect on the body’s antioxidant stores due to the balance created for CAT deficiency by increased GPx and SOD concentrations.