Characterization and Biological Activity of Fiber-Type <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. Aerial Parts at Different Growth Stages

Giulia Mastellone; Arianna Marengo; Barbara Sgorbini; Federica Scaglia; Francesca Capetti; Francesco Gai; Pier Giorgio Peiretti; Patrizia Rubiolo; Cecilia Cagliero

doi:10.3390/plants11030419

Plants (Feb 2022)

Characterization and Biological Activity of Fiber-Type <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. Aerial Parts at Different Growth Stages

Giulia Mastellone,
Arianna Marengo,
Barbara Sgorbini,
Federica Scaglia,
Francesca Capetti,
Francesco Gai,
Pier Giorgio Peiretti,
Patrizia Rubiolo,
Cecilia Cagliero

Affiliations

Giulia Mastellone: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
Arianna Marengo: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
Barbara Sgorbini: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
Federica Scaglia: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
Francesca Capetti: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
Francesco Gai: Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Pier Giorgio Peiretti: Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Patrizia Rubiolo: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
Cecilia Cagliero: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030419
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 3
p. 419

Abstract

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Currently, there is a renewed interest in cannabis-related products in different fields because of the rich phytocomplex of this plant, together with its fiber and agricultural features. In this context, the current study aims to chemically characterize different samples of fiber-type Cannabis sativa L. grown in Italy as a potential health promoting source. An ultrasound-assisted solid-liquid extraction (UA-SLE) method was first developed and optimized to obtain a fingerprinting of the investigated phytocomplex. Analyses were carried out through an ultra high performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector in series with triple quadrupole system with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface (UHPLC-UV-ESI-MS/MS) and showed that the phytocomplex mainly includes flavonoids and non-psychotomimetic cannabinoids. The method was then applied to characterize and compare 24 samples of fiber-type Cannabis sativa L. aerial parts (mainly stems and leaves), which differed for the growth stages (from mid-vegetative to early flowering), growth land plots, and methods of drying (forced-draft oven or freeze-drying). The quali-quantitative analysis showed that a freeze-drying method seems to better preserve the chemical composition of the samples, while the location of the land plot and the growth stage of the plant (which did not comprise inflorescences) had minor influences on the chemical pattern. These results were also supported by spectrophotometric in-vitro assays (scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS+•) radicals and inhibitory activity against tyrosinase and elastase enzymes) to investigate the potential biological activity of these samples and the contribution of non-psychotomimetic cannabinoids.

Published in Plants

ISSN: 2223-7747 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Botany
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/plants

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