Current knowledge on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activities of Cannabis (hemp) from Pakistan with emphasis on its legalization and regulation

Current knowledge on Cannabis from Pakistan

Authors

  • Adil Hussain Food and Biotechnology Research Centre (FBRC), Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex Ferozepur Road Lahore 54600, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8611-322X
  • Syed Hussain Abidi Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Head Office, 1 Constitution Avenue, G-5/2 Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
  • Quratulain Syed Food and Biotechnology Research Centre (FBRC), Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex Ferozepur Road Lahore 54600, Pakistan
  • Asma Saeed Food and Biotechnology Research Centre (FBRC), Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex Ferozepur Road Lahore 54600, Pakistan
  • Alim-Un-Nisa Food and Biotechnology Research Centre (FBRC), Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex Ferozepur Road Lahore 54600, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Cannabis has a very extensive history of its uses as a medicinal plant that likely dates back more than two millennia. This review was envisioned to provide a brief summary on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, medicinal uses and some biological activities of Cannabis (hemp) with emphasis on its legalization and regulation in Pakistan.

 Methods: The data on Cannabis was assembled from International scientific databases like Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, Researchgate, SciELO, Scopus, Science Direct, Taylor and Francis, Web of Science, books, government reports, Master’s and Ph.D. dissertations using specific keywords.

 Results: In more than 33 different regions of Pakistan, the folk medicinal uses of Cannabis against ~60 ailments are still continuing. Phytochemistry data showed that more than 70 different compounds were reported in Cannabis from Pakistan with potential antioxidant activity. Overall, the antimicrobial activity reviewed here showed that Cannabis extracts against ~19 bacterial and 8 fungal strains possess potential inhibitory effects. Data on anticancer activity of Cannabis worldwide showed remarkable outcomes against more than 12 different cancer types and no data was found on the anticancer activity from Pakistan.

Conclusions: Conclusively, essential compounds isolated from Cannabis may exhibit different pharmacological actions and therefore support the utilization of species infusions and/or decoctions as folk traditional medicine in Pakistan. Through the legalization, revenue could be increased by exporting Cannabis based products or by exporting the raw material however, it should be complemented with extensive approaches to publicize the medicinal importance of Cannabis and appropriate policies should be developed for industrial and medicinal use.

Keywords: Cannabis, Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Biological activities, Legalization, Pakistan

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Published

2022-07-12

How to Cite

Hussain, A., Abidi, S. H. ., Syed, Q., Saeed, A., & Alim-Un-Nisa. (2022). Current knowledge on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activities of Cannabis (hemp) from Pakistan with emphasis on its legalization and regulation: Current knowledge on Cannabis from Pakistan. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 23, 1–33. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/3799

Issue

Vol. 23 (2022)

Section

Reviews

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