Protective Effects of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Root Extracts against Insulin-Deficient Diabetes Mellitus In Mice

Abstract

The pharmacological potential of industrial hemp (<i>Cannabis sativa</i>) has been widely studied. However, the majority of studies have focused on cannabidiol, isolated from the inflorescence and leaf of the plant. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-diabetic potential of hemp root water (HWE) and ethanol extracts (HEE) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced insulin-deficient diabetic mice. The administration of HWE and HEE ameliorated hyperglycemia and improved glucose homeostasis and islet function in STZ-treated mice (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HWE and HEE suppressed β-cell apoptosis and cytokine-induced inflammatory signaling in the pancreas (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Moreover, HWE and HEE normalized insulin-signaling defects in skeletal muscles and apoptotic response in the liver and kidney induced by STZ (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of HWE and HEE showed possible active compounds which might be responsible for the observed anti-diabetic potential. These findings indicate the possible mechanisms by which hemp root extracts protect mice against insulin-deficient diabetes, and support the need for further studies geared towards the application of hemp root as a novel bioactive material.