A pharmacological roadmap for the Cannabaceae family: Prioritizing the therapeutic potential of neglected genera beyond Cannabis and Humulus.
Sarika. Electronic address: pundirsarika275@gmail.com, Sharma A, Jamwal A, Vanshika. Electronic address: gulialvanshika@shooliniuniversity.com, Goyal R.
Medicinal Plants
Hackberry trees lining city streets and suburban yards belong to the same family as cannabis, and their bark, leaves, and fruit have been used in traditional medicine across three continents — yet almost no modern research has investigated whether those remedies actually work.
The cannabis plant family has 11 groups of plants, but almost all scientific attention goes to just two: cannabis itself and hops (used in beer). This paper points out that the other nine groups — including hackberry trees you might see in parks — have long histories in traditional medicine around the world but have barely been studied by scientists. The authors argue that these plants, which contain compounds like flavonoids and tannins, could lead to useful new medicines that don't cause a high.
Key Findings
Nine of the 11 genera in the Cannabaceae family remain severely understudied despite documented traditional medicinal use across multiple cultures.
Genera such as Trema, Celtis, and Aphananthe contain flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenoids, and alkaloids — compound classes with established therapeutic activity — but lack systematic pharmacological investigation.
The dominance of Cannabis and Humulus research has created measurable 'opportunity costs,' delaying discovery of potentially safer, non-psychoactive therapeutics from related plants.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers argue that the plant family containing cannabis and hops has nine other genera — including hackberries and trema — that traditional healers have used for centuries but scientists have largely ignored. This paper maps what's known and unknown, making the case that these overlooked plants could yield new medicines without the psychoactive downsides of cannabis.
Abstract Preview
The Cannabaceae family presents a significant paradox in modern pharmacology; it is simultaneously one of the most intensely researched and most profoundly neglected plant families. The immense sci...
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Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae that is widely accepted as being indigenous to and originating from the continent of Asia. However, the number of species is disputed, with as many as three species being recognized: Cannabis sativa, C. indica, and C. ruderalis. Al...