In a study evaluating the effects of CBD on human sebaceous glands, CBD was evaluated in the context of immortalized human sebocytes under “acne-like” conditions.
In this study, CBD was shown to dose-dependently inhibit excessive lipid synthesis (lipogenesis) in sebocyte cultures that were pre-treated with “pro-acne” inducing inflammatory compounds such as arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and testosterone.
The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD were also observed in the reduction of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Lipopolysaccharides were used to pre-treat sebocytes to induce “pro-acne” inflammatory conditions. Subsequently, TNF-α concentrations in sebocytes were measured after 24 h with or without CBD (10 μM).
Treatment with CBD was found to decrease TNF-α mRNA expression and the expression of other inflammatory cytokines including, IL-1β and IL-6 in the sebocytes.Results from this study strongly demonstrate the clinical potential of CBD in the treatment of acne.
In a separate study, the potential anti-acne effects of another cannabis plant derivative, hemp seed hexane extracts (HSHE), were evaluated in an in vitro model of acne.
Like CBD, hemp seed extracts also do not exhibit psychotropic properties and are suggested to have potential anti-inflammatory effects. In a human keratinocyte cell line, 0.6% was HSHE reduced C. acnes-induced inflammation in human keratinocytes through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-8. Additionally, 0.6% HSHE was found to significantly inhibit overproduction of inflammatory radical nitric oxide in the same cells, further supporting the conventional development of hemp-derived constituents, such as HSHE as natural, safe, and effective anti-inflammatory acne treatments.
In a human study evaluating the safety and efficacy of cannabis seed extracts for acne, 3% cannabis seed extracts were found to reduce inflammation-induced redness of the skin, known as erythema. Changes in skin erythema were measured every 2 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. Treatment with the 3% cannabis seeds extract cream was found to significantly reduce skin erythema after each 2-week observation, and a notable gradual reduction in erythema was observed across the 12-week study.
Furthermore, the application of 3% cannabis seeds extract cream on the cheeks, twice a day, for 12 weeks was found to be safe, well tolerated, non-allergenic, and non-irritating in the patient volunteers.
Peyravian N, Deo S, Daunert S, Jimenez JJ. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Acne. J Inflamm Res. 2022 May 3;15:2795-2801. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S355489. PMID: 35535052; PMCID: PMC9078861.
Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine