| Abstract |
The phytocannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) exhibit antiproliferative effect on cancer cells derived from multiple organs, including thyroid, brain, prostate and breast. Therefore, I hypothesized that ovarian cancer cell proliferation will be also inhibited by these cannabinoids. To test my hypothesis, I carried out the experiments as follows: Subconfluent SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells were incubated with the above cannabinoids in serum-free medium for two days. Subsequently, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to determine the effects of these compounds on the cells. THC and CBD and R-1 methanandamide (MEA), a metabolically stable analog of anandamide, inhibited cell proliferation and induced rounding and detachment of the cells. 2-AG, however, exhibited no antiproliferative effect. The differential effects of cannabinoids on SKOV3 cell proliferation partly support my hypothesis.
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Bert Crawford is a senior at Kent State Stark. He is majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. He plans on applying to medical school this summer and is currently working on studying abroad in China for the fall. Bert enjoys movies, listening to music, exercising and spending time with his family.