Study Examines Cannabinoids for Effect on Neuroblastoma Cells

Image | adobe.stock/RYLAND ZWEIFEL

A recently published study on the effects of cannabinoids on neuroblastoma cells noted a newly discovered cannabinoid in cannabis flower. As stated in the study’s introduction, the cannabis plant contains approximately 125 cannabinoid compounds, along with 34 flavonoids, 120 terpenes, and other compounds. Using multiple chromatographic methods, researchers isolated compounds demonstrating antitumor activities against SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells and identified their structures using spectroscopic methods. Neuroblastomas, it explains, are tumors in the nervous system, the most common in children. Along with six known cannabinoids, two new compounds – cannabielsoxa and a chlorin-type compound – were isolated for a total of eleven compounds isolated in the study. The study also noted that chlorin and its derivatives, which include chlorophyll, pheophytin, and more, have previously shown toxicity against cancer cells. The study, “New Cannabinoids and Chlorin-Type Metabolites from the Flowers of Cannabis sativa L.: A Study on Their Neuroblastoma Activity,” was published in Pharmaceuticals in April 2025.

Previous research has highlighted the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids including studies on CBD for anticonvulsive, anti-inflammatory, and other effects; THC for antipruritic and antioxidant effects; CBG for antifungal, anticancer, antidepressant, and other effects. Research on cannabinoids for antitumor possibilities has been limited, however. Additionally, the death rate for neuroblastomas is significant and standard treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

The researchers conducted molecular docking simulations to examine the various compounds’ mechanisms of actions against the cancer cells. This is the first isolation of the chlorin-type compounds, the study stated.

The cannabinoids demonstrated stronger repression of neuroblastoma cells, more than the chlorin-type compounds. “Compounds 4–10 revealed strong inhibitory activity at concentrations of 5 and 10 μM,” the researchers stated in the conclusion. “These results provided the elementary data for further research into the antitumor mechanisms of cannabinoids and chlorin derivatives in neuroblastoma models that are both in vitro and in vivo.”

The data in this study could help the development of a product to treat neuroblastoma, the researchers stated. “This study is an initial step toward developing a product for the treatment of neuroblastoma because CBD and CBDA are major compounds with high content in C. sativa.” Further in vitro and in vivo studies were suggested by the researchers to examine the potential of the other cannabinoids and chlorin.

The project was funded by a grant from the Rural Development Administration.

Reference

1. Nguyen, TQ.; Park, HS.; Choi, SH.; Hong, DY.; Cheon, JY.; Lee, YM.; Kim, CM.; Hong, JK.; Oh, SJ.; Cho, MS.; Kim, JH.; Lee, ES.; Seo, J.; Jung, HJ. New Cannabinoids and Chlorin-Type Metabolites from the Flowers of Cannabis sativa L.: A Study on Their Neuroblastoma Activity. Pharmaceuticals 2025. DOI: 10.3390/ph18040521.