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Cultivation of Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L. C. indica L) and the Use of Its’ Biologically Active Substances in Medicine
Kahánková, Zdeňka ; Hamouz, Karel (advisor) ; Božik, Matěj (referee)
Cannabis has been used as a medicine throughout the history. For the first time the therapeutic use of cannabis was documented in China, 4000 B.C.
The cannabis plants contain significant levels of biologically active secondary metabolites, such as cannabinoids, enzymes, glycoproteins, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, simple acids, fatty acids, steroids, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, vitamins, pigments, etc. Attention has been focused particularly on the cannabinoid expressing the psychoactive effects tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Concentration of this substance in the plant represents the difference between therapeutic and technical cannabis; technical cannabis has 0,3 % of THC and less.
The concentration of the secondary metabolites in the different stages of the life of the plant is strongly influenced by the external factors present during the cultivation. Due to this fact it is necessary to cultivate medical cannabis indoors, under strictly controlled cultivation conditions. Respecting the standardized conditions is key in order to fulfil the limits necessary for its following use in therapy and/or research.
The discovery of the cannabinoid receptors meant a breakthrough as it allowed the scientists to explain the effect of cannabis on specific tissues. An intense research of the synthetic ligands of cannabinoid receptors has been ongoing currently. Phytocannabinoids, terpenes and other secondary metabolites of cannabis express synergistic actions, meaning they should not be examined separately, but rather be considered a complex.
It can be assumed that the cannabinoid therapy will become a golden standard, which will help reduce the symptoms of the disease and even cure the patient.
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