Hemp seed extract exerts cytostatic effects through metabolic stress and autophagy modulation in malignant cells.

ABSTRACT: Phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. exhibit anticancer activity, but how the polar fraction from cold-pressed hemp seed oil derived from industrial cultivars lacking Δ9-THC affects cell proliferation remains unclear. Here, we characterized the phenolic composition of the Oil Polar Extract (OPE) from the Codimono cultivar and evaluated its effects on cancer cells. In HT-29 colorectal cells, OPE induced metabolic stress, decreasing ATP by ~ 40%, activating AMPK, and disrupting autophagic flux. This stress led to G1 phase cell cycle arrest without triggering apoptosis. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy with chloroquine enhanced the antiproliferative effects of the extract by ~ 30%, indicating that autophagy serves a cytoprotective role. These findings identify OPE as a me

SUBMITTER: Moccia S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12916756 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature