Cannabis sativa: An ancient wild edible plant of India

Abstract

Cannabis sativa, also known as Cannabis indica or Indian hemp, is an annual herb of the family Cannabinaceae. It has been used by humans throughout recorded history for its food, fiber and medicine. It is a native to Central Asia, and long cultivated in Asia, Europe and China. Plants yielding the drug seem to have been discovered in India, cultivated for medicinal purposes as early as 900 BC. Elindu devotees offered Cannabis to Shiva during religious ceremonies, and the herb continues to have a religious association in India. The medicinal use of Cannabis has very long history. However, the sociopolitical pressure led to decline the medicinal use of Cannabis. But despite its illegality, people have continued to obtain Cannabis in black market for self-medication. Together with coffee and tobacco, Cannabis is the most commonly used psychoactive drug worldwide, and it is the single most popular illegal drug. This review analyzes the diversity, botanical description, consumption and pharmacological studies along with medicinal uses of Cannabis among the human being throughout the world. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Headnote

Abstract

Cannabis sativa, also known as Cannabis indica or Indian hemp, is an annual herb of the family Cannabinaceae. It has been used by humans throughout recorded history for its food, fiber and medicine. It is a native to Central Asia, and long cultivated in Asia, Europe and China. Plants yielding the drug seem to have been discovered in India, cultivated for medicinal purposes as early as 900 BC. Elindu devotees offered Cannabis to Shiva during religious ceremonies, and the herb continues to have a religious association in India. The medicinal use of Cannabis has very long history. However, the sociopolitical pressure led to decline the medicinal use of Cannabis. But despite its illegality, people have continued to obtain Cannabis in black market for self-medication. Together with coffee and tobacco, Cannabis is the most commonly used psychoactive drug worldwide, and it is the single most popular illegal drug. This review analyzes the diversity, botanical description, consumption and pharmacological studies along with medicinal uses of Cannabis among the human being throughout the world.

Key words: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Indian hemp, Bhang, Marijuana, Psychoactive

Introduction

Wild edible plants play an important role in the food and nutritional security of large section of Indian population living in remote area. These plants are a good source of minerals and vitamins essential to take the edge off malnutrition of the tribal people living in harsh environments. The Himalayan Region of India is well known for biodiversity of wild edible plants especially consumed by local people in the form of food, medicine, fuel, fodder, timber, fiber and for other purposes (Samant et al., 1998a,b; Samant and Pant, 2006). However, it has been used by humans for at least 4,500 years. The various parts, such as roots, rhizomes, tubers, bulbs, leaves, seeds, flowers, fruits and barks of the plants are used for the above mentioned purposes. The most famous early users in the history of Cannabis were the Hindus of India, afterward it was spread with the Indo-Aryan culture to outside of India. It also grows naturally in Persia, Southern Siberia and in China. In Sanskrit the plant is called Vijaya and in Hindi known as bhang. Since its discovery it has been used by millions of people for both inducing pleasure and for pain alleviation. Besides stimulant, exhilarant and sedative, the active principle of Indian hemp lies in the plant resin. Forty percent of this principle is used in the resinous hashish smoked by the wandering sects of India; 26 percent in the dried flower heads smoked in the villages of India as "ganja"; and only 10 percent in the ground green leaves used for the preparation of the bhang drink. Cannabis sativa found all over the India. It is commonly occurs in waste grounds, along road side and irrigation channels of gardens.

Cannabis yields more than 538 chemicals of various classes (ElSohly and Slade, 2005). The extensive literatures are available on Cannabis constituents (Turner et al., 1980; Ross and ElSohly, 1995; Grotenhermen and Russo, 2002). The most important classes are terpenoids, cannabinoids, hydrocarbons, sugars and related compounds, nitrogenous compounds, noncannabinoid phenols, flavonoids, fatty acids, simple acids, amino acids, simple ketones, simple esters and lactones, simple aldehydes, proteins, glycoproteins, and enzymes, steroids, elements, simple alcohols, pigments, vitamin (vitamin K). The principal use of Hemp in medicine is for easing pain and soothing influence in nervous disorders. It is useful in gout, neuralgia, rheumatism, insanity, insomnia etc. The action is almost entirely on the higher nerve centers. It can produce an exhilarating intoxication with hallucinations, and is widely used in Eastern countries as an intoxicant. The nature of its effect depends much on the environmental conditions and temperament of the individual. Its narcotic and anodyne properties were appreciated by Western medical men in the early years of the last century and were incorporated in the British and United States pharmacopoeias. As a narcotic, hemp is consumed by itself or as a beverage. It is more often used for smoking but excessive smoking is harmful and may cause insanity. The common name(s) of Indian hemp in different countries are Bang (Egypt), Bhang, Charas, Ganja (India), Bhango, Gaanjaa (Nepal), Canamo indico, Hachis, Marihuana (Spain), Canapa indica, Marijuana (Italy), Marihuana, Marijuana (France), Da ma cao, Da ma ren, Huo ma, Xian ma,(China), Dagga (South Africa), Indischer hanf, Marihuana (Germany), Hashas, Hind kinnabi (Turkey), Hampa, Marijuana (Sweden), Hash, Hemp, Indian hemp (United Kingdom), Kannabis (Finland), Kannabisu, Mashinin, Taima (Japan), Konopie, Marihuana (Poland), Marihana (Netherland), Marihouava (Greece), Marihuana, Marijuana (Mexico), Marihuana (Hungary, Russia, United States), Porkanchaa (Thailand) and Qinnib, Til (Arab countries).

Botanical description Classification

Kingdom Plantae

Subkingdom Tracheobionta

Superdivision Spermatophyta

Division Magnoliophyta

Class Magnoliopsida

Subclass Hamamelididae

Order Urticales

Family Cannabaceae

Genus Cannabis

Species sativa

Binomial name Cannabis sativa

Indian hemp (Cannabis sativa F.) is an annual herb of the family Cannabinaceae having erected stems growing from 3 to 10 feet or more high, very slightly branched and having greyish-green hairs (Figure 1). The leaves are palmate, with five to seven leaflets, numerous, on long thin petioles with acute stipules at the base, linear-lanceolate, tapering at both ends and the margins sharply serrate. The leaves of the plant are used as a drug to reduce excitement, irritation and pain as well as to induce deep sleep. The flowers are unisexual, the male in axillary and terminal panicles, apetalous, with five yellowish petals and five poricidal stamens; the female flowers germinate in the axils and terminally, with one single-ovulate ovary. The fruit is small, smooth, light brownish-grey in colour, and completely filled by the seed. The form of the plant and the yield of drug, oil and fiber from it vary according to climate and particular variety. Varieties grown for the drugs are small, much branched with smaller dark green leaves; for fibers have long stalks, branch very little, and yield only small quantities of seed; for oil seed small, mature early, and produce large quantities of seed. Indian hemp is prepared in various forms. Ganja is smoked like tobacco; Bhang is the dried, larger leaves, broken or mixed with a few fruits. Charas is the resin which exudes spontaneously from the leaves, tops and stems.

Origin, distribution and growth habit

Cannabis sativa was originally a native of Western and Central Asia. It has been cultivated since ancient times in Asia and Europe. It spread to the New World in post-Columbian times. Cannabis sativa has been cultivated for more than 4500 years for different purposes as mentioned above. Its medicinal value was discovered in India as Ayurvedic medicine and cultivated as early as 900 BC. In India cultivation of this plant is controlled and permitted only in the districts of Almora, Garhwal and Nainital (Uttarakhand, India) with small extent in Kashmir and Travancore. Germination of Cannabis seeds takes 12 hours to 8 days. After 2-4 days of germination, seed coat splits open and exposes the root and two circular embryonic leaves, cotyledons. Seedling phase lasts from 1-4 weeks and is the period of greatest vulnerability in the life cycle of the plant, requiring moderate humidity levels, medium to high light intensity, and adequate but not excessive soil moisture. In vegetative phase, it continues to grow vertically and produce new leaves. The sex is starting to reveal itself and along with the root system expands downwards. Plant development increases significantly in pre-flowering phase with production of more branches and nodes. Flowering phase varies from about 6-22 weeks and needs diminished light.

Chemical constituents of Cannabis sativa

The chemical constituents of Cannabis represent almost all of the chemical classes, e.g., hydrocarbons, sugars, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, nitrogenous compounds and amino acids. Out of these, the most specific class of Cannabis constituents is C2\ terpenophenolic camiabinoids (Elsohly and Slade, 2005). In 1980 the total number of natural compounds identified in Cannabis sativa was 423 (Turner et al., 1980), in 1995 was 483 (Ross and ElSohly, 1995) and in 2005 was 489 (Elsohly and Slade, 2005). Out of 489 compounds, 70 were known as camiabinoids which is further classified into 11 categories (number known) such as Cannabigerol type (7), Caimabichromene type (5), Cannabidiol type (7), A9-trans-Tetrahydrocamiabinol type (9), A8-trans- Tetrahydrocannabinol type (2), Camiabicyclol type (3), Camiabielsoin type (5), Cannabinol type (7), Camiabinodiol type (2), Camiabitriol type (9) and Miscellaneous types (14). Besides camiabinoids the other constituents (419) are also classified into various chemical classes (number known) such as nitrogenous compounds (27), amino acids (18), proteins (3), enzymes (6), glycoproteins (2), sugars and related compounds (34), hydrocarbons (50), simple alcohols (7), simple aldehydes (12), simple ketones (13), simple acids (20), fatty acids (23), simple esters (12), lactones (1), steroids (11), terpenes (120), non-cannabinoid phenols (25), flavonoids (23), vitamins (1), pigments (2) and elements (9), (Turner et al., 1980; Ross and ElSohly, 1995; Elsohly and Slade, 2005). The details of these chemical constituents are out of this review scope.

Edible parts and method of consumption

The plant parts which are consumed for various purposes are leaf, shoot and seed. It is used in the form of grain and in roasted mode. Seed may be used as raw or cooked. It can be dry and eaten as a condiment or made into cakes (Hedrick and Sturtevant, 1972; Harrington and Matsmnura, 1974; Kunkel, 1984). The seed is quite tasty, but it is very difficult to separate from the husk. The seed contains about 27.1% protein, 25.6% fat, 7.4% carbohydrate, 6.1% ash. The leaves contain 0.215% carotene and used in soup (Duke, 1983). Along with various methods of Cannabis consumption, smoking or oral consumption in much common. In general, it is considered that smoking produces more relaxing effect; in comparison to vapourising and eating which tend to be more intense in effects. For oral consumption. Cannabis or its extract must be sufficiently heated or dehydrated to cause decarboxylation of its most abundant camiabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, into psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Cannabisculture.com). Cannabis can also be consumed as a Cannabis tea. In remote area, the use of Cannabis sativa is totally depends on traditional knowledge, which transmitted through family traditions basically through oral conversations. However, the knowledge on medicinal importance is available in written forms also in local scripts.

Cannabis sativa as a medicine

Cannabis was used as a medicine before the Christian era in Asia, particularly in India. The medicinal use of Cannabis has a very long history. It has been used for the treatment of various diseases since the Vedic Period. It is well known for various forms of non-fonnal medical treatments. The medicinal value of Cannabis includes intoxicant, analgesic, narcotic, stomachic, antispasmodic, anodyne, sedative etc. (Ben, 2006; Russo and Guy, 2006; Goutopoulos and Makriyaimis, 2002). The Cannabis leaves alone have ability to cure more than 25 diseases (Kala et al., 2004). Seeds are used to treat tumors and cancerous ulcers. In the last 50 years there are more than 1000 publications describing various aspects of Cannabis sativa (Zuardi, 2006). Some of the important medicinal uses of Cannabis are given in table 1. Despite its medicinal value. Cannabis products must be used carefully as it can induce cognitive deficits and may be a risk factor for the onset of psychosis among susceptible youths (Pope et al., 2003; Arseneault et al., 2004).

Use of Cannabis sativa in Ayurvedic medicine

India is a country of faith and mysticism, and Ayurveda is a system of medicine used by the Indian traits. Cannabis was bound to religions in India especially in the Hindu as well as in numerous other minority religions (Kaplan, 1969). Ayurvedic system of medicine is based on a conceptual medical system which depends on balancing three functional elements of human body viz. Vayu (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water and earth). As per Ayurveda, good health depends on equilibrium between these three factors and imbalance may cause disease. In India, the properties and use of Cannabis sativa were described by many ayurvedic physicians before thousands of years. The earliest written reference was found in the Atharvaveda, dating to about 1500 BC (Grierson, 1894). In the Sushruta Samhita (verses of Sushruta) Cannabis was recommended for phlegm and diarrhea (Grierson, 1894). For the first time Dhanavantari, founder member of Ayurveda, prepared a medical glossary on the quality and effect of Cannabis. According to his description, the quality of Cannabis is sharp, heating and light; and also stimulates delusions and slows speech. In Ayurveda Cannabis was also used as a leisure drug and as a component in various preparations such as minute quantity in a synergistic formula can aid digestion. Jadgish N Vaidya, Director of Maharishi Ayurvedic Programs at Lancaster Health Center, Massachusetts says that 'Recreational use of marijuana creates ama'. It impairs digestion and intellect, it upsets hormonal balances, and it can be addictive, in the traditional view of Ayurveda. Using Cannabis from an Ayurvedic perspective causes imbalance to the mind. Scientific research indicates that loss of mental stability is one of the significant side-effect from recreational use of Cannabis. In Ayurveda the Sanskrit term 'Unmaada' means a profound impairment of judgment, perception and clarity. Unmaada is characterized by distortion of the mind, intellect, consciousness, memory, behavior and conduct. The 18th century Persian medical text Makhzan-al-Adwiya, written by M. Husain Khan, was extremely influential in the Unani Tibbi, or Arabic-tradition medicine on the subcontinent. In this text, Cannabis was described in its various preparations as an intoxicant, stimulant and sedative (O' Shaughnessy, 1843). The medical use of Indian hemp was introduced to the West in the 19th century as the use of Ganjah and Bangie as intoxicants, in diarrhea treatment and in hemorrhoids is reported by Ainslie in 1813 (Ainslie, 1813).

The modern Ayurvedic properties of Cannabis as described by Chopra and Chopra (1957) are: paphahari (promoting loosening and elimination of phlegm), grahini (promoting retention and binding the bowels), pachani (promoting digestion), ushna (promoting heat), pítala (exciting the flow of bile), modavardhani (promoting happiness), vagvardhani (stimulating the digestive fire), dipani (stimulating appetite), ruchya (promoting taste), nidraprada (hypnotic). Dwarakanath listed 48 modem Ayurvedic and eight Unani Tibbi formulas containing Cannabis for a wide range of indications (Dwarakanath, 1965). A recent survey on consumption of Bhang at Varanasi (formerly Bañaras, India) reported 90% improvement in sleep and in marital adjustment (Chaturvedi et al., 1991). The majority of Ayurvedic claims for Cannabis from India are fully corroborated by modern scientific and clinical investigation. In fact, the modem-day Cannabis researchers have acknowledged the integral role that Indian culture has played in understanding the biochemistry of Cannabis.

Pharmacological studies in human

There are lots of literatures available on pharmacological activities and clinical trials of Cannabis sativa by using various model animals. In the following table one can find pharmacological studies of Cannabis on human (Table 2).

Future scenario

The clinical research on Cannabis was restricted for a long time due to its illegality. The past two decades have seen renewed and concerted interest in the therapeutic potential of Cannabis. Recent scientific studies on cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body, which respond pharmacologically to Cannabis, have explored its applications in every area of medicine. While Cannabis remains illegal under federal law in the United State, 13 states have made available the medical use of Cannabis under their state laws. For the first time in 1996 the medical use of Cannabis was re-legalize by California State for its therapeutic use and began laboratory experiment. The latest to legalize medical use of Cannabis is New Mexico, where 1742 patients are authorized to possess dried Cannabis as a medication. Recently in December 2007 the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland also sought to clarify legislation on prescribing Cannabis to victims of chronic pain. The psychoactive effect of THC is one of the best- studied biological activities in the world. This discovery opened up possibilities to exploit Cannabis -based products for medical use. Despite the pharmaceutical preparations of Cannabis, the use of its natural form for medicinal purposes has also progressed recently. Cannabis should not be known only for its psychoactive agent but also be recognized as strongest fibers provider and source of some nutritious edible oils. As a medicinally active plant, Cannabis has been used worldwide for millennia, making it one of the oldest known medicinal plants. Out of various classes of compounds found in Cannabis, including flavonoids and alkaloids, most of these constituents have not yet been properly characterized for biological activity. Therefore, the Cannabis plant could be called a 'neglected pharmacological treasure trove (Mechoulam, 2005). However, an increasing number of pharmaceutical companies have started to pick up the idea of (synthetic) cannabinoids and their antagonists as therapeutic drugs. At present a number of preparations based on the biological activities of the cannabinoids are already available. A considerable number of cannabinoid-based medicines are expected to enter the market in the coming years. Also, there is still plenty of work to understand the potential of the Cannabis plant. A future with Cannabis based medicines therefore seems very likely, and a further understanding of Cannabis as a medicine through scientific research is warranted.

As a medicinally active plant, Cannabis has been used worldwide for millennia, making it one of the oldest known medicinal plants. Out of various classes of compounds found in Cannabis, including flavonoids and alkaloids, most of these constituents have not yet been properly characterized for biological activity. Therefore, the Cannabis plant could be called a 'neglected pharmacological treasure trove (Mechoulam, 2005). However, an increasing number of pharmaceutical companies have started to pick up the idea of (synthetic) cannabinoids and their antagonists as therapeutic drugs. At present a number of preparations based on the biological activities of the cannabinoids are already available. A considerable number of cannabinoid-based medicines are expected to enter the market in the coming years. Also, there is still plenty of work to understand the potential of the Cannabis plant. A future with Cannabis based medicines therefore seems very likely, and a further understanding of Cannabis as a medicine through scientific research is warranted.

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