Skip to main content
Log in

The non-psychoactive cannabidiol triggers caspase activation and oxidative stress in human glioma cells

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

Recently, we have shown that the non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound cannabidiol (CBD) induces apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro and tumor regression in vivo. The present study investigated a possible involvement of caspase activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction in the apoptotic effect of CBD. CBD produced a gradual, time-dependent activation of caspase-3, which preceded the appearance of apoptotic death. In addiction, release of cytochrome c and caspase-9 and caspase-8 activation were detected. The exposure to CBD caused in glioma cells an early production of ROS, depletion of intracellular glutathione and increase activity of glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes. Under the same experimental condition, CBD did not impair primary glia. Thus, we found a different sensitivity to the anti-proliferative effect of CBD in human glioma cells and non-transformed cells that appears closely related to a selective ability of CBD in inducing ROS production and caspase activation in tumor cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Parolaro.

Additional information

Received 6 April 2006; received after revision 31 May 2006; accepted 22 June 2006

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Massi, P., Vaccani, A., Bianchessi, S. et al. The non-psychoactive cannabidiol triggers caspase activation and oxidative stress in human glioma cells. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 63, 2057–2066 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-006-6156-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-006-6156-x

Keywords.

Navigation