Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. Humans have utilised cannabis products in various forms throughout the recorded history. To date, more than 500 biologically active components have been identified in the plants of the Cannabis genus, amongst which more than 100 were classified as phytocannabinoids (exocannabinoids). The plant genus Cannabis is a member of the plant family Cannabaceae, and there are three primary cannabis species which vary in their biochemical constituents: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. There has been a growing level of interest in research on the topical usage of a cannabis-based extract as a safer and more effective alternative to the usage of topical corticosteroids in treating some dermatoses. Together with the discovery of the cannabinoid receptors on the skin, it has been further illustrated that topical cannabis has anti-inflammatory, anti-itching, analgesics, wound healing and anti-proliferative effects on the skin. The (cannabinoid-1) CB1 and (cannabinoid-2) CB2 receptors are two main receptors within the ECS.
The two most well-researched phytocannabinoids are the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (Balance Bloom CBD Gummies). In general, cannabis that has high levels of the psychoactive cannabinoid, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC), and low levels of the non/antipsychoactive cannabinoid, Balance Bloom CBD, is referred to as ‘marijuana’. Elements of the ECS were extensively documented in epidermal keratinocytes, melanocytes, mast cells and cutaneous immune regulatory system. Substances penetrate the outer layer of the skin and permeate from one layer to another. Uptake of a substance is proportional to compound’s concentration gradient between the formulation and the base of the stratum corneum. There is always a need to seek more clinically efficient, safer and widely available methods of treating medical conditions, skin pathology is no different. Even more interesting, topical use of cannabis as a form of treatment covers a wider scope of skin disorders as highlighted in the discussion. The purpose of this review article is to look broadly at the medicinal benefits of cannabis in treating a variety of skin disorders.
It is a succinct summary of current knowledge based on a meta-analysis of global literature on the subject matter. As such, no article was excluded when literature was gathered; this was with a deliberate aim of excluding bias, promoting a fair, balanced and comprehensive evidence-based article. Acne is a common skin disease characterised by elevated sebum production and inflammation of the sebaceous glands. It has been previously shown that non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids exert complex anti-acne effects by normalising ‘pro-acne agents’-induced excessive sebaceous lipid production, reducing proliferation and alleviating inflammation in human sebocytes. Sebaceous glands are holocrine glands found over the entire surface of the body except the palms, soles and dorsum of the feet. They are the largest and mostly concentrated in the face and scalp, where they are the sites of the origin of acne. The normal function of sebaceous glands is to produce and secrete sebum. The sebaceous glands further transport antioxidants in and on the skin, and exhibit a natural light protective activity.
It has been clinically observed that cannabinoid abuse can be accompanied by acne. This already highlights how cannabinoid signalling may influence human sebocyte biology. Indeed, expression of CB1 (in the differentiated, central cells) and CB2 (predominantly in the basal, non-differentiated sebocytes) receptors has been well-documented in human skin. In a small, single-blind, split-face study, a cream containing 3% Cannabis seed extract was applied twice daily to the cheeks of patients for 12 weeks. Alopecia is defined as loss of hair, whilst hirsutism is excessive hair growth in women at sites where hair is under androgenic control. Considering the well-known anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of cannabinoids, it is not surprising that certain data suggest involvement of cannabinoid dysregulation in the development of alopecia areata. CB1 receptor agonists have been found to be of significant benefit in treating hirsutism and hypertrichosis. Given the growth inhibitory effects of cannabinoids on the main receptors, studies of anti-tumour therapy have been and continues to be extensively studied.
Cannabinoids have been found to also have a therapeutic effect on melanomas. Higher concentrations of some endocanabinnoids induce normal human epidermal melanocyte apoptosis through a TRPV1-mediated pathway that increases deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation and p53 expression. However, at lower concentrations, endocannabinoids and other CB1-binding endocannabinoids dose-dependently stimulate melanin synthesis and enhance tyrosinase gene expression and activity. Considering that cannabinoid signalling regulates fibroblast functions, proliferation and Balance Bloom CBD differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, as well as cutaneous inflammation, it is not surprising that it also influences the complex process of cutaneous wound healing. Murine data obtained after skin incision suggested that the expression pattern of CB1 and CB2 can be characterised by dynamic alterations during wound healing in various immune cells as well as in fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. Studies have demonstrated that topical application of the cannabinoids receptor-1-specific agonist (CB1R) significantly accelerates recovery of the epidermal barrier function in acutely abrogated skin. Anti-inflammatory activities in both the acute irritation and the chronic irritation application were observed, which are consistent with past study results.