18 January 2024 | Dimakatso Mokoena, Blassan P. George, and Heidi Abrahamse
This study investigates the combined effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. CBD, a non-psychotropic compound derived from *Cannabis sativa*, has been linked to multiple anticancer properties. The study found that CBD treatment at concentrations of 5 μg/mL and above induced dose-dependent cell death in MCF-7 cells, as evidenced by morphological changes such as vacuolization, blebbing, and floating. Biochemical assays, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and trypan blue exclusion, confirmed the cytotoxic effects of CBD. The optimal CBD concentration was then used in combination with Hypericin-Gold nanoparticles-mediated PDT. The results showed that the combination therapy induced apoptosis, as indicated by the expression of apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, p53, and PARP) observed through immunofluorescence. The study concluded that the combination of CBD and PDT is effective in killing MCF-7 breast cancer cells, suggesting a promising strategy for cancer treatment.This study investigates the combined effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. CBD, a non-psychotropic compound derived from *Cannabis sativa*, has been linked to multiple anticancer properties. The study found that CBD treatment at concentrations of 5 μg/mL and above induced dose-dependent cell death in MCF-7 cells, as evidenced by morphological changes such as vacuolization, blebbing, and floating. Biochemical assays, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and trypan blue exclusion, confirmed the cytotoxic effects of CBD. The optimal CBD concentration was then used in combination with Hypericin-Gold nanoparticles-mediated PDT. The results showed that the combination therapy induced apoptosis, as indicated by the expression of apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, p53, and PARP) observed through immunofluorescence. The study concluded that the combination of CBD and PDT is effective in killing MCF-7 breast cancer cells, suggesting a promising strategy for cancer treatment.