Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol Modify the Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Keratinocyte Membranes Exposed to UVA

Abstract

The action of UVA radiation (both that derived from solar radiation and that used in the treatment of skin diseases) modifies the function and composition of keratinocyte membranes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of phytocannabinoids (CBD and CBG), used singly and in combination, on the contents of phospholipids, ceramides, lipid rafts and sialic acid in keratinocyte membranes exposed to UVA radiation, together with their structure and functionality. The phytocannabinoids, especially in combination (CBD+CBG), partially prevented increased levels of phosphatidylinositols and sialic acid from occurring and sphingomyelinase activity after the UVA exposure of keratinocytes. This was accompanied by a reduction in the formation of lipid rafts and malondialdehyde, which correlated with the parameters responsible for the integrity and functionality of the keratinocyte membrane (membrane fluidity and permeability and the activity of transmembrane transporters), compared to UVA-irradiated cells. This suggests that the simultaneous use of two phytocannabinoids may have a protective effect on healthy cells, without significantly reducing the therapeutic effect of UV radiation used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis.

Modulation of Redox and Inflammatory Signaling in Human Skin Cells Using Phytocannabinoids Applied after UVA Irradiation: In Vitro Studies

“…Moreover, CBG has also been shown to have antioxidant properties [ 15 ]. Therefore, it is suggested that CBG, by modifying metabolic mechanisms other than CBD, may protect the phospholipid structures of cell membranes more effectively than CBD [ 25 ], which is also partly in agreement with the results of this study.…”

“…In order to assess the effect of the phytocannabinoids on cellular metabolism, keratinocytes and fibroblasts were treated for 24 h with cannabigerol (CBG-1µM; Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI, USA), cannabidiol (CBD-5µM; THC Pharm GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany), or both phytocannabinoids (CBG-1µM+CBD-5µM). A detailed description of solutions prepared for the experiment purposes was presented in the work by Wroński et al [ 25 ]. In short, the CBG and CBD stock solution (32 mM each) was prepared in ethanol (99.8%) in order to subsequently dilute that solution with ethanol to a concentration of 0.33 mM (CBG) and 1.6 mM (CBD); then, it was added to the culture medium to obtain a concentration of 1 µM and 5 µM for the CBG and CBD, respectively.…”

“…However, there are no data about the effects of CBG, used alone or in combination with other phytocannabinoids, on the metabolism of skin cells under the conditions of oxidative stress caused by physicochemical factors, including UV radiation. Since the physicochemical features of CBG resemble those of CBD, while concentrations of the biologically effective CBG and CBD differ [ 25 ], the combined use of both phytocannabinoids might be more effective for skin cells than CBG or CBD given alone.…”