Chemical Analysis, Antioxidant, Toxicology, and Antinociceptive Effects of Moroccan Cannabis sativa Essential Oil

Abstract

Background: Cannabis sativa L. is an annual plant from the Cannabaceae family. In Morocco, it has a long-standing traditional use. This study aimed to perform a chemical analysis of the Cannabis sativa essential oil (CSEO) and assess its acute toxicity, antioxidant properties, and analgesic effects. Method: Chemical analysis was conducted on the essential oil extracted from Cannabis sativa using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify its components. Subsequently, we carried out in vitro assessments of antioxidant activities using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method (DPPH), the iron reduction method, and the β-carotene assay. Concurrently, we conducted investigations into the antinociceptive activity using three distinct animal models: the writhing test, the formalin test, and the hot plate test, as well as the acute toxicity by determining the lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀). Results: The GC/MS analysis of the CSEO allowed the identification of its major compounds, namely (E)-caryophyllene α-humulene and caryophyllene oxide. The antioxidant activity was also significant due to its ability to scavenge DPPH (IC₅₀ = 1.16 ± 0.08 mg/mL) and reduce iron potency (IC₅₀ = 1.49 ± 0.46 mg/mL) and IC₅₀ = 1.8 ± 0.2 mg/mL for β-carotene/linoleic acid assay. Acute toxicity (LD₅₀) was evaluated at 42.46 mg/kg, indicating a relatively high tolerance, while a significant analgesic effect was observed, persisting for 120 minutes. Conclusions: The study provides promising results for the essential oil of the Moroccan variety of Cannabis sativa (C. sativa), showing its potential therapeutic properties as an antioxidant, and analgesic agent.