Immunochromatography screening devices for cannabinoids in oral fluid sample

Abstract Cannabis sativa L. is one of the most consumed drugs in the world and recent studies have associated its use with an increase in the number of traffic accidents in different countries. In many countries, like Brazil, simple and reliable methodologies are still needed for the detection of drugs on site, mainly cannabinoids, considering its prevalence of use and oral fluid (OF) has been proved as an appropriate biological matrix for this purpose. Considering that, this work aims to review previous studies on immunochromatographic devices for on-site detection of cannabinoids in OF, discussing their sensitivity, specificity, cut-offs values and confirmatory methods. This data shows the importance of choosing a screening device and it reinforces the need for its implementation in Brazil. The research was conducted on 5 databases and all original articles, published in the last 10 years, were selected. A total of 32 articles were found, providing data for 17 screening devices of distinct brands. Only 2 screening devices showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in the evaluated studies (≥80% and ≥90% respectively). However, it should be considered that the screening devices still have some limitations, such as a higher cut-off than those recommended by international guidelines (cut-off > 2 ng/mL), therefore demonstrating the need for more studies in the area and the importance of confirmatory analysis usually fulfilled by LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS or GC-MS. Thus, the screening analyzes should not be evaluated by itself, but in association with confirmatory results and observational traits (behavioral changes), for a better understanding of the traffic scenario

Cannabinoids selectively inhibit proliferation and induce death of cultured human glioblastoma multiforme cells.

Normal tissue toxicity limits the efficacy of current treatment modalities for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We evaluated the influence of cannabinoids on cell proliferation, death, and morphology of human GBM cell lines and in primary human glial cultures, the normal cells from which GBM tumors arise. The influence of a plant derived cannabinoid agonist, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol Delta(9)-THC), and a potent synthetic cannabinoid agonist, WIN 55,212-2, were compared using time lapse microscopy. We discovered that Delta(9)-THC decreases cell proliferation and increases cell death of human GBM cells more rapidly than WIN 55,212-2. Delta(9)-THC was also more potent at inhibiting the proliferation of GBM cells compared to WIN 55,212-2. The effects of Delta(9)-THC and WIN 55,212-2 on the GBM cells were partially the result of cannabinoid receptor activation. The same concentration of Delta(9)-THC that significantly inhibits proliferation and increases death of human GBM cells has no significant impact on human primary glial cultures. Evidence of selective efficacy with WIN 55,212-2 was also observed but the selectivity was less profound, and the synthetic agonist produced a greater disruption of normal cell morphology compared to Delta(9)-THC.