Scientists say they have pin-pointed some of the reasons why cannabis may have anti-cancer properties.
The findings may open the way to the development of new drugs based on tetrahydrocannabinol.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, have been working with the Universidad Complutense de Madridin, Spain.
The researchers say two cell receptors, CB2 and GPR55, are responsible for the herb’s anti-cancer properties. They are among the human cell receptors that interact with cannabis, enabling it to affect metabolism.
The findings have been reported in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Researcher Dr Peter McCormick, from the University of East Anglia, said: "Our research uses an isolated chemical compound and using the correct concentration is vital.
"Cancer patients should not use cannabis to self-medicate, but I hope that our research will lead to a safe synthetic equivalent being available in the future."
He explained: "Our findings help explain some of the well-known but still poorly understood effects of tetrahydrocannabinol at low and high doses on tumour growth.
"By identifying the receptors involved we have provided an important step towards the future development of therapeutics that can take advantage of the interactions we have discovered to reduce tumour growth."
Targeting CB2 –GPR55 receptor heteromers modulates cancer cell signalling. Journal of Biological Chemistry July 2014
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