15.4.6 Antitumour Activity
Owing to its perfect fatty acid profile of omega-3 fats and γ-linolenic acid, hempseed
naturally helps to balance inflammation levels and strengthen the immune system.
Studies have reported that the presence of various cannabinoids, especially Δ9tetrahydrocannabinol, in hempseeds can inhibit tumour growth (Guzman et al.
2006). Cannabinoids have demonstrated to inhibit human breast cancer cell proliferation through modulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and reactive
oxygen species pathways (McAllister et al. 2007, 2011).
15.4.7 Effects on Atherosclerosis
In many countries, cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of deaths,
principally caused by atherosclerosis, long-term inflammatory disease of the arteries
which ends up in the formation of blood clots and hardening of arteries (Dahlöf
2010; Hansson 2005). Past theories on this subject have suggested that such diseases
can be prevented by reducing the intake of omega-6 fatty acids (Matthäus and Brühl
2008). The anti-atherosclerotic activity of hempseed water extract (HWE) was
studied in apolipoprotein E knockout mice (Seo et al. 2012). A reduction in total
plasma cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherosclerotic index and cardiac risk factor
was reported in the HWE group along with a subsequent reduction of plaque lesion
areas in aortic sinus and more weight gain. The results proved the potential use of
HWE both as a nutritional resource and for its anti-atherosclerotic activity in
apolipoprotein E knockout mice. In the future, studies can be done to assess the
pharmacological mechanisms underlying these effects.
15.4.8 Improved Immunomodulatory Functions
Immunomodulatory functions involve provocation or curtailment of the immune
system in the body. Various peptides can enhance immunomodulatory functions by
regulating the expression of cytokines or by producing antibodies (Hartmann and
Meisel 2007). Initial studies were carried on mice to examine the effects of
hempseed protein on fatigue and immunomodulation defect (Li et al. 2008). The
results revealed that hempseed protein could improve the swimming time of mice
and contents of liver heparin distinctly and can reduce the contents of lactic acid in
the blood. However, further research is required to confirm similar results of the
consumption of hempseed on humans as models. The presence of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet can help in the annihilation of interferon-γ production
in patients suffering from immunological disorders such as multiple sclerosis
(Weinstock-Guttman et al. 2005). A hot-nature diet with added hempseed and
386
I. Syed et al.
Owing to its perfect fatty acid profile of omega-3 fats and γ-linolenic acid, hempseed
naturally helps to balance inflammation levels and strengthen the immune system.
Studies have reported that the presence of various cannabinoids, especially Δ9tetrahydrocannabinol, in hempseeds can inhibit tumour growth (Guzman et al.
2006). Cannabinoids have demonstrated to inhibit human breast cancer cell proliferation through modulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and reactive
oxygen species pathways (McAllister et al. 2007, 2011).
15.4.7 Effects on Atherosclerosis
In many countries, cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of deaths,
principally caused by atherosclerosis, long-term inflammatory disease of the arteries
which ends up in the formation of blood clots and hardening of arteries (Dahlöf
2010; Hansson 2005). Past theories on this subject have suggested that such diseases
can be prevented by reducing the intake of omega-6 fatty acids (Matthäus and Brühl
2008). The anti-atherosclerotic activity of hempseed water extract (HWE) was
studied in apolipoprotein E knockout mice (Seo et al. 2012). A reduction in total
plasma cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherosclerotic index and cardiac risk factor
was reported in the HWE group along with a subsequent reduction of plaque lesion
areas in aortic sinus and more weight gain. The results proved the potential use of
HWE both as a nutritional resource and for its anti-atherosclerotic activity in
apolipoprotein E knockout mice. In the future, studies can be done to assess the
pharmacological mechanisms underlying these effects.
15.4.8 Improved Immunomodulatory Functions
Immunomodulatory functions involve provocation or curtailment of the immune
system in the body. Various peptides can enhance immunomodulatory functions by
regulating the expression of cytokines or by producing antibodies (Hartmann and
Meisel 2007). Initial studies were carried on mice to examine the effects of
hempseed protein on fatigue and immunomodulation defect (Li et al. 2008). The
results revealed that hempseed protein could improve the swimming time of mice
and contents of liver heparin distinctly and can reduce the contents of lactic acid in
the blood. However, further research is required to confirm similar results of the
consumption of hempseed on humans as models. The presence of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet can help in the annihilation of interferon-γ production
in patients suffering from immunological disorders such as multiple sclerosis
(Weinstock-Guttman et al. 2005). A hot-nature diet with added hempseed and
386
I. Syed et al.