In vitro experiments prove the powerful anti-tumour effect of cannabis extracts, announced Assoc. Prof. Iva Ugrinova, Director of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Institute of Molecular Biology.

Her team, which is working on the national research programme “Innovative low-toxic and biologically active means for precision medicine”, used cannabidiol, extracted from cannabis, to treat mammary gland, lung and cervical tumour cells. The natural substance demonstrated a clear toxic effect on the cells, comparable to the effect of synthetic cytostatics. At the next stage the team will try to establish the mechanisms by which the cannabidiol kills the cancer cells.

The researchers say that the cannabidiol was purchased from a foreign company, because working with cannabis products in Bulgaria is prohibited. They are hoping that this restriction, for scientific purposes, will be reconsidered as it is hampering their work.