The anti-neuroinflammatory properties of hemp seeds

Hemp seeds are best known for their nutritional benefits (an excellent source of fats, fiber, protein, and vitamins) but they also have medicinal properties. In particular, they offer cardiovascular benefits, relieve indigestion, and help treat certain skin conditions. According to this new study, some of their components are also believed to have neuroprotective properties and could offer potential avenues for treating neuroinflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The study

In addition to being rich in nutrients essential for humans, hemp seeds are also rich in Tissue Plasminogen Activators (TPAs). In total, 14 of these compounds were isolated and extracted as part of this study and then tested on mice. The study’s results suggest that they may be effective against neuroinflammation, which is generally a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and for which few treatments are available.

Neurological inflammation is induced in mice by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The mice are divided into different groups, including a control group without inflammation, a model group with inflammation but no treatment, a group that will receive TPA treatment, and a group that will receive another proven treatment based on piraceam. The markers of neuroinflammation are IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα.

The study shows that small doses of TPA significantly reduce the expression of these markers in the brain. Focusing specifically on the hippocampus, it was shown that TPA prevents damage to neurons in this area, which is involved in memory, cognitive functions, and learning. Cognitive and memory functions were assessed using performance tests, in which mice that received TPA performed significantly better than those that did not.

Notably, a lower dose of TPA (1 g/kg) proved to be more effective than a higher dose (2 g/kg). That said, these findings cannot be directly applied to humans, and further research is needed to understand the neuroprotective mechanisms of these agents. To date, about twenty TPAs have been isolated from hemp seeds. Other components of cannabis, such as the cannabinoids THC and CBD, are also believed to have neuroprotective properties and are being studied for a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.