Enzymes involved in the synthesis and degradation of ECs play an important role in cell signal transduction . Both AEA and 2-AG are removed from their sites of action by uptake and metabolized intracellularly . The enzymes involved in the degradation of ECs are fatty acid-amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase . In some tissues, ECs can also undergo oxidative catabolism through the lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase 2 , and cytochrome P450 isoenzymes . The action of these enzymes leads to the generation of various compounds such as prostaglandin-ethanolamides and glyceryl esters, hydroxy-anandamides and hydroxycosatetraenoylglycerols . Some of these endocannabinoid metabolites are biologically active .Cancer cells rapidly and uncontrollably proliferate and have the ability to invade other tissues, causing metastasis . It has been reported that ECS dysregulation occurs during carcinogenesis and may be responsible for cancer aggressiveness . ECs can modulate several aspects of tumorigenesis . A major discovery was the recognition of the ability of CBs to kill a plethora of cancer cells .
CBs promote apoptosis and autophagy, induce cell cycle arrest, and have inhibitory effects on the migration, invasion, and self-renewal of tumor cells . These processes can be both dependent and independent of CB receptors, showing that the antitumor activity of CBs has much more complex molecular mechanisms than originally thought . In addition, CBs exhibit several palliative effects in cancer patients . Apoptosis, autophagy and inhibition of proliferation. A major characteristic of cancer cells is uncontrolled proliferation. CB receptor activation increases de novo production of ceramide, a sphingolipid with proapoptotic functions . The upregulation of the ceramide-induced stress-regulated protein p8 causes apoptosis through the overexpression of genes encoding the activating transcription factor 4, and Tribbles homolog 3 . TRB3 is also responsible for inhibition of the Akt/mTORC1 complex axis, which causes autophagy-mediated apoptosis and the inhibition of cell proliferation .Although it is best known as the source of a recreational drug, the Cannabis sativa plant has a large variety of other uses, e.g., as an ingredient in food and cosmetics, a textile material, and a medicinal product . The cannabis plant contains various chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, which is a term that initially only encompassed those substances produced by the plant, namely, phytocannabinoids.
One of these compounds is tetrahydrocannabinol , which causes psychoactive effects known from the recreational use of cannabis. Moreover, endocannabinoids refer to cannabinoids that are naturally produced within the body as part of the endocannabinoid system, while synthetic cannabinoids are manufactured substances that have similar properties to phytocannabinoids . The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol has been the focus of attention due to its neurological and anti-inflflammatory effects . Products containing CBD are often sold over the counter, e.g., as dietary supplements, to circumvent the laws regulating medicinal products. Substances derived from cannabis, such as hemp oil and other cannabis extracts, are becoming increasingly common ingredients in cosmetics . Recent studies have demonstrated the potential use of cannabinoids to treat dermatological conditions, such as pruritus, skin cancer, and inflflammatory skin diseases . For instance, hemp oil is offered on the market as a cosmetic hair treatment, with product manufacturers claiming that the direct application of the oil can moisturise and protect hair, promote hair growth, and repair damaged hair. Despite the lack of scientifific evidence supporting these claims, numerous online outlets sell these products, which range in composition from pure hemp oil to shampoos and similar hair treatments containing lower concentrations of hemp oil .
EU cosmetics regulations state that all hemp-derived natural raw materials contained in cosmetics must be derived from Cannabis sativa plant parts, including seeds, leaves, or leaves without tops, whereby the total THC content must not exceed 0.2%; notably, the flflowering or fruiting parts of Cannabis sativa generally feature higher THC concentrations. The use of nonfifibrous cannabis material with an excess of 0.2% THC is forbidden, and this limit of THC refers only to hemp plants—not to hemp-derived cosmetic ingredients . In contrast, UAE cosmetic regulations state that the manufacturer of any cosmetic product containing hemp oil or cosmetic oil containing CBD must demonstrate that their fifinished cosmetic products are free from tetrahydrocannabinols by tetrahydrocannabinol content testing in municipal laboratories or accredited laboratories.