Neolignans isolated from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) roots have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells
Four neolignans were isolated from hemp roots and each differed in their molecular weight by 30 daltons. Two of the compounds were identified as dadahols A and B. We tested fractions of various purities containing neolignans against neuroblastoma cell lines CHLA15 and LAN5, hepatoblastoma cell line Hep3B, and Hodgkin's lymphoma cell line L428. We found that semi-pure fractions containing dadahol A and/or dadahol B had the highest cytotoxic activity. We then tested pure dadahol A and dadahol B, and this revealed dadahol A exhibited the lowest IC50 values in all the cell lines.
Authors
- Jode W. Edwards (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7918-476X)
- Maria Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6394-8710)
- Korey J. Brownstein
- Karl E. Vermillion (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8202-9258)
- Manu Gnanamony (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1893-6603)
- Thu Hien Nguyen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7117-8442)
- Pedro A. de Alarcón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5137-641X)
- Grace E Nieukirk
Institutions
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities (US)
- Illinois College (US)
- National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (US)
- Peoria campus of the University of Illinois System (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Cannabis Research
- Published
- 2025-08-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00316-5
- Primary Topic
- Plant-derived Lignans Synthesis and Bioactivity
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education