Investigating the Efficacy of Cannabidiol Against Arsenic-Induced Liver Cell Damage

Arsenic (As) exposure is known to have harmful effects, prompting the search for effective countermeasures. This study investigated the protective effects of cannabidiol (CBD) against arsenic toxicity in liver cell cultures (THLE-2). The IC50 values for As were determined, finding 10 µM in 2D and 15 µM in 3D cell lines. To assess CBD's protective efficacy, 5 µM of CBD was administered alongside arsenic at its IC50 concentration. The levels of oxidative stress markers, including Glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and catalase (CAT), as well as inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were measured using ELISA kits. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was conducted to evaluate As uptake in the cells. The results showed that CBD significantly enhanced cell proliferation and reversed the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses induced by arsenic exposure. Furthermore, CBD effectively reduced arsenic uptake into the cells. These findings provide compelling evidence for CBD's protective role against arsenic-induced toxicity, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent in mitigating the harmful effects of arsenic