Cannabis sativa is one of the most widely researched plants, with thousands of studies looking at the plant’s medicinal potential. Most studies and people focus on the trichomes, flowers, or fan leaves of the plant, due to their high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC). However, one part of the plant that has been vastly overlooked may actually have important medicinal benefits.
A new study from Pharmacological Research – Natural Products found that the smaller sugar leaves, which are typically wasted during the harvesting of CBD and THC, may have significant therapeutic potential in cancer, diabetes, and inflammation treatments. The researchers also found that the sugar leaves may offer a much larger amount of CBD and THC, along with 35 other pharmacologically active compounds, than previously assumed.
In the study, scientists performed a chemical analysis on extracts from the sugar leaves and then conducted multiple in vitro tests to see how effective the extract was against different health problems.
The extracts, which included CBD, THC, terpene, and flavonoid compounds, presented the highest activity against breast cancer cells. Second to the breast cancer cells was its effectiveness against lung cancer cells, followed by liver and colorectal cancer cells.
RELATED: These cannabis brands are boosting breast cancer awareness
Similarly, the sugar leaf compounds demonstrated significant antidiabetic activity. The researchers found that the compounds inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase, the enzymes involved in digesting carbohydrates. Inhibiting these enzymes can reduce blood sugar levels, helping manage diabetes.
After the cell tests, the researchers ran computer simulations to see how the compounds identified in the sugar leaf extracts might interact with these enzymes. The computer simulations corroborated the lab results, showing the compounds effectively interfering with enzyme activities.
Beyond inhibiting the enzymes involved in diabetes, the sugar leaf extracts were also tested to see if they could neutralize harmful oxidants, like nitric oxide, which can contribute to inflammation when overproduced. Through ABTS and DPPH tests, which are the most common way to test antioxidant activity, the researchers found high antioxidant activity in the sugar leaf extracts, as well as potential nitric oxide inhibition.
RELATED: Leading researcher offers latest findings on cannabis and cancer
“Traditionally considered as a by-product of cannabis cultivation, sugar leaves offer a sustainable and cost-effective resource…that may contribute to the health and wellness of human beings,” wrote the authors in the study.
Despite this being the first study on the chemical composition of cannabis sugar leaves, this research provides strong initial evidence of the potential value in these leaves that are typically thrown out. Not only are there potential medical advantages, but utilizing sugar leaves also reduces waste by maximizing the plant material that is used. However, further research is necessary to confirm these preliminary findings beyond a molecular level.