Anti-inflammation and gingival wound healing activities of Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa (hemp) extract and cannabidiol: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and gingival wound healing activities of Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa (hemp) extract and cannabidiol (CBD). DESIGN: The cellular bioactivities of hemp extract and CBD were determined the inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in LPS-induced murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells by using ELISA while wound healing activity in human gingival fibroblast (HGF-1) cells was performed by a scratch test assay. The cytotoxicity was also concerned and evaluated by MTT assay. RESULTS: The hemp extract and CBD significantly decreased TNF-alpha release by up to 91.05 +/- 2.91% and 50.78 +/- 7.21% of LPS activity, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner, compared to 10 microg/mL hydrocortisone (61.67 +/- 3.79%). The hemp extract and CBD also significantly decreased IL-1beta release, also in dose-dependent response, up to 78.03 +/- 3.34% and 85.87 +/- 1.11% of LPS activity, respectively, compared to 5 microg/mL hydrocortisone (80.81 +/- 3.55%). The mean percentage of closure of the wound area was 27.92 +/- 1.21% when exposed to 5 microg/mL hemp extract and 33.49 +/- 1.67% when exposed to 0.5 microg/mL CBD, compared to 24.34 +/- 2.29% for non-treated control. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that both hemp extract and CBD can inhibit TNF-alpha and IL-1beta production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and promote wound healing in HGF-1 cells. This is the first to show that short-term exposure to hemp extract and CBD promoted gingival fibroblast wound healing, demonstrating that hemp extract and CBD have potential benefits in the treatment of oral inflammation and ulcers.