Cannabinoids, particularly Cannabidiol (CBD), found in Cannabis Sativa Linnaeus may be used to treat prostate cancer, according to a study published in Pharmacology & Pharmacy. CBD was tested in three human prostate cancer cell lines. The study found CBD rendered an inhibitive activity against cancer cell growth but not so much against healthy cells. Prostate cancer cells often have high levels of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, vascular enothelial growth factor (VEGF), and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The study found CBD down-regulated these biomarkers, meaning that it helped prostate cancer.
Cannabis extracts with high CBD were found cytotoxic to androgen responsive prostate cancer cells and may inhibit spheroid formation in cancer stem cells, according to the study report. This may contribute the anticancer property of CBD against prostate cancer.