# Toxicological evaluation and preliminary phytochemical characterisation of a Nigerian Cannabis sativa chemovar

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the safety and chemical composition of a Nigerian Cannabis sativa variety, finding it potentially safe for oral use.

## Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed toxicological and phytochemical analysis of an indigenous Nigerian Cannabis sativa chemovar.

## Key findings

- The chemovar contains 11 phytocannabinoids, with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol being the most abundant.
- Acute toxicity testing showed an LD50 >5000 mg/kg and a NOAEL ≤300 mg/kg.
- Subacute toxicity revealed mild organ changes but no severe adverse effects at lower doses.

## Abstract

Different Cannabis sativa chemovars produce diverse pharmacological and behavioral effects. With the widespread use of cannabis in Nigeria, detailed toxicological effects of Nigerian chemovars are lacking. This study aimed to identify phytocannabinoids and investigate the toxic effects of an indigenous C. sativa.

The plant samples were air-dried, powdered, extracted with ethanol, and characterized (phytochemical screening, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)). Acute and subacute toxicity tests were done following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) protocols.

Screening showed appreciable levels of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and phenol. FTIR analysis indicated functional groups and chemical linkages like alcohols, fatty acids, alkynes, ketones, and esters, and 11 phytocannabinoids with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in abundance (35.78%) reported by GC-MS. Acute toxicity test indicated an oral lethal dose (LD50) value of ˃5000 mg/kg, a no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) dose of ≤300 mg/kg, and a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the weight of animals in the 2000 mg/kg treatment group. The sub-acute toxicity test showed significantly (P<0.05) decreased ALP and ALT levels at 25 mg/kg body weight, and significantly lower triglyceride (P<0.01) and LDL (P<0.05) levels. Urea and some haematological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the 250 mg/kg group. Also, we observed mild to moderate necrosis in the excised pancreas and liver, and mild tubular changes in the kidney.

This suggests that our indigenous variety of C. sativa may be considered safe following oral consumption.