Determination of chemical compound content, antioxidant activity and acetylcholine sterase enzyme inhibition of cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.)

In this study, the biochemical content analysis and biological activities of different parts of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) were determined. In this context, determination of phenolic and organic compound contents, determination of antioxidant activities and determination of acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition were carried out. In addition, in vitro bioanalytical studies were carried out by preparing separate extractions of the root, fiber, leaf and whole plant parts of the cannabis plan (Cannabis sativa L.) comparativelv. Antioxidant activities of cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) extracts were determined by ABTS (2,2-Azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiaroline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity, FRAP (ferric ions reducing power) and CUPRAC (capacity to reduce cupric ions) in vitro bioanalytical methods. The results obtained in antioxidant studies were compared with standard antioxidants such as BHT (Butylated hydroxy toluene), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (Vitamin E). Accrording to the this study, it was determined that the antioxidant activities of the ethanol extracts of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) were lower than the standards used, but generally at a moderate level. The inhibition potential of different parts of the Cannabis sativa L. plant against the acetylcholinesterase enzyme was determined by the in vitro enzyme activity method. Inhibition percentages and IC50 values were determined from the decreasing activity of the enzyme. According to the results, the IC50 value of cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) leaf ethanol extract was determined as 10.19±2.28 µM, the IC50 value of fiber extract was 23.47±3.21 µM, and the IC50 value of standard tacrine was 23.33±9.88 µM. According to these results, cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) leaf extract had a better inhibitory effect than tacrine and the fiber part extract had an inhibition effect close to tacrine. In another part of the study, organic acid and phenolic compound determinations were carried out using the HPLC method of extracts obtained from different parts of the cannabis plant. As a result of HPLC analysis, it was determined that the major organic compounds found in the highest quantitative amounts in the sample containing all parts of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) and the sample containing the fiber part were ascorbic acid, abscisic acid, curcumin, and apigenin. In addition, the most abundant compounds in the root and leaf parts were found to be abscisic acid and ascorbic acid. In the final part of the study, molecular docking analyses were carried out and molecular interactions were evaluated between the AChE enzyme and the maior compounds of the cannabis plant, namely curcumin, apigenin, abscisic acid, and ascorbic acid, which were detected in the highest quantitative amounts.