15.3.7.1 Cannabidiol
Three types of cannabinoids are found in the hempseeds which include THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol) and CBN (cannabinol), the most important one being the THC (Petrović et al. 2015). Hempseeds were found to contain
10 mg/kg of cannabidiol which accounts for many of its health attributes (Petrović
et al. 2015).
In the patients suffering from dystonic movement disorders, consumption of
cannabidiol at the dosage of 100–600 mg/day has been reported to reduce tremor
by 20–25% (Consroe et al. 1986; Formukong et al. 1988). Cannabidiol has also been
reported to possess anticonvulsant, anti-epileptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and
antimicrobial properties (Formukong et al. 1988; Karler and Turkanis1981). It can
efficiently inhibit induction of both phenyl benzoquinone-induced writhing and
tetradecanoyl phorbol-acetate-induced erythema. The antimicrobial activity is specifically found to be against the growth of Gram-positive bacteria mainly Streptomyces griseus and Staphylococcus aureus even at a very low concentration of 5 ppm
(Formukong et al. 1988).
15.3.7.2 β-Sitosterol
β-Sitosterol is another bioactive compound found in hempseed oil that possesses
several health benefits such as reduction in hypercholesterolemia, anti-inflammatory
and antifungal properties (Malini and Vanithakumari 1990). The concentration of
β-sitosterol in hempseed oil was found to be 100–148 g/L. Mattson et al. (1982)
reported that certain plant sterols like β-sitosterol can block absorption of cholesterol
in plasma either by its co-precipitation or by its crystallisation. The action is
primarily effective for inhibition of cholesterol delivered through dietary fats.
Isolated ethanolic extracts of Hedychium spicatum having the appropriate amount
of β-sitosterol have been found to possess anti-inflammatory activity (Sharma et al.
1975).
15.3.7.3 Terpenes
The most abundant terpenes in hempseed oils are β-caryophyllene and myrcene
whose concentrations are 740 mg/L and 160 mg/L, respectively. These are mostly
found in the essential oil of hempseed, rather than directly in the seed oil (Malingre
et al. 1975). They impart the characteristic aroma and various functional properties
to the hempseed oil. The seed oil has highly active properties of β-caryophyllene
such as anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities, while myrcene possesses
excellent antioxidant properties (Duke and Beckstrom-Sternberg 1994).
382
I. Syed et al.
Three types of cannabinoids are found in the hempseeds which include THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol) and CBN (cannabinol), the most important one being the THC (Petrović et al. 2015). Hempseeds were found to contain
10 mg/kg of cannabidiol which accounts for many of its health attributes (Petrović
et al. 2015).
In the patients suffering from dystonic movement disorders, consumption of
cannabidiol at the dosage of 100–600 mg/day has been reported to reduce tremor
by 20–25% (Consroe et al. 1986; Formukong et al. 1988). Cannabidiol has also been
reported to possess anticonvulsant, anti-epileptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and
antimicrobial properties (Formukong et al. 1988; Karler and Turkanis1981). It can
efficiently inhibit induction of both phenyl benzoquinone-induced writhing and
tetradecanoyl phorbol-acetate-induced erythema. The antimicrobial activity is specifically found to be against the growth of Gram-positive bacteria mainly Streptomyces griseus and Staphylococcus aureus even at a very low concentration of 5 ppm
(Formukong et al. 1988).
15.3.7.2 β-Sitosterol
β-Sitosterol is another bioactive compound found in hempseed oil that possesses
several health benefits such as reduction in hypercholesterolemia, anti-inflammatory
and antifungal properties (Malini and Vanithakumari 1990). The concentration of
β-sitosterol in hempseed oil was found to be 100–148 g/L. Mattson et al. (1982)
reported that certain plant sterols like β-sitosterol can block absorption of cholesterol
in plasma either by its co-precipitation or by its crystallisation. The action is
primarily effective for inhibition of cholesterol delivered through dietary fats.
Isolated ethanolic extracts of Hedychium spicatum having the appropriate amount
of β-sitosterol have been found to possess anti-inflammatory activity (Sharma et al.
1975).
15.3.7.3 Terpenes
The most abundant terpenes in hempseed oils are β-caryophyllene and myrcene
whose concentrations are 740 mg/L and 160 mg/L, respectively. These are mostly
found in the essential oil of hempseed, rather than directly in the seed oil (Malingre
et al. 1975). They impart the characteristic aroma and various functional properties
to the hempseed oil. The seed oil has highly active properties of β-caryophyllene
such as anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities, while myrcene possesses
excellent antioxidant properties (Duke and Beckstrom-Sternberg 1994).
382
I. Syed et al.