According to a new study, THC, which is found in marijuana and is the psychoactive compound of the plant, could help prevent colon cancer that is associated with ulcerative colitis.
The study, which appeared in the journal iScience, was conducted by researchers from the University of South Carolina (USC) in Columbia who trialed a novel approach to preventing colon cancer.
They treated mice with the cannabis compound THC, which effectively prevented inflammation and stopped the development of colon cancer.
The study was based on mouse models of colitis-associated colon cancer. They treated some of the mice with THC, while the mice in the control group received only a vehicle.
The conclusion was that the mice who received THC showed no tumors, unlike the control group. The mice in the THC group also had significantly less colonic inflammation, which is a symptom of IBD.
“The fact that we were able to show that treatment with THC prevents inflammation in the colon and at the same time inhibits the development of colon cancer supports the notion that inflammation and colon cancer are closely linked,” said senior study author Dr. Prakash Nagarkatti.
The researchers found that the compound binds to cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), which is expressed on immune cells and throughout the gastrointestinal system.
“Thus, in [people] who are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer, THC or other anti-inflammatory agents may be beneficial,” adds Dr. Nagarkatti.
