Pharmacy, Toxicology & Therapeutics

The overall objective of this consortium is to investigate the human health benefits of hemp constituents, discover new hemp-derived cosmeceuticals and therapeutic agents, and contribute to the safe use of these products. Specific topics under investigation include the following:

• Hemp-based drug discovery
• Development of hemp-derived therapeutic agents
• Safety of hemp-derived therapeutic agents
• Hemp-drug interactions
• Human metabolism and disposition of hemp compounds
• Cosmetic and dermatological applications of hemp

Potential Research Topics include:

Discovery of hemp compounds and hemp-derived therapeutic agents with pharmacologic activities as follows:

• Anti-bacterial
• Antiviral
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-aging
• Tissue regeneration and remodeling
• Cancer prevention and cancer therapy
• Prevention of neurological degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
• Prevention and treatment of skin diseases including eczema, atopic dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis

 

 

CURRENT RESEARCH

Discover minor cannabinoids for pain management: OSU researchers Fred Stevens, Kevin Brown, and Claudia Maier

Computational-assisted discovery of bioactive minor cannabinoids from hemp using artificial intelligence (AI) combined with mass spectrometry and cell-based assays of pain to discover minor cannabinoids that might help manage chronic pain. Supported by a grant from the NIH (R21AT012695).

Anti-aging properties of hemp derived cannabinoids: OSU researchers Gitali Ganguli-Indra, Kevin Brown

Evaluate the protective functions of bioactive molecules including hemp derived metabolites against chronological aging and photoaging.

Hemp and metabolites in tissue repair and regeneration: OSU researchers Gitali Ganguli-Indra, Kevin Brown

Characterizing new bioactive molecules and metabolites including those derived from hemp in healing, repair, and regeneration of chronic (diabetic) and burn wounds.

Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer properties of hemp-derived bioactives: OSU researchers Arup Indra, Kevin Brown

Characterizing the anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and immunomodulatory role of hemp-derived bioactive molecules and metabolites in the prevention of cancer and use as adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment.

Anti-bacterial properties of hemp-derived bioactives: OSU Researchers Richard van Breemen, Ruth Muchiri, and Aleksandra Sikora

Screening hemp extracts using affinity selection-mass spectrometry for lead compounds that prevent infectious diseases through novel mechanisms of action.

 

PAST RESEARCH

Discovery that certain hemp cannabinoid acids can block infection of human cells by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19: OSU faculty Richard van Breemen, Ruth Muchiri, and others

Using a novel mass spectrometry-based drug discovery approach invented in the lab, they found that the CBDA, CBGA, and THCA from hemp can prevent cell entry by SARS CoV-2 by binding to the spike protein on the surface of the virus.