Review Highlights Potential Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Pain-Relieving Properties of Cannabis Roots

Cannabis root (photo credit: Hanafsan).

Cannabis roots contain a wide range of compounds with potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and pain-relieving properties, according to a comprehensive review accepted for publication in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

While most cannabis research has focused on cannabinoids found in the plant’s flowers and leaves, researchers said the roots remain comparatively understudied despite their long history of use in traditional medicine for pain, burns, infected wounds and inflammation.

For the review, researchers from the University of Santa Cruz do Sul and the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil searched eight scientific databases for studies published through December 2024 involving cannabis root extracts or compounds isolated from the roots.

The researchers identified several classes of compounds, including phytosterols, alkaloids, terpenes, phenolic compounds and small quantities of cannabinoids. These included β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, friedelin, friedelanol, cannabisativine, vanillin, cannabidiol and cannabichromene.

Laboratory studies found that cannabis root extracts and isolated compounds could reduce inflammatory markers, including IL-6, IL-1β and TNFα. Other studies reported antioxidant activity and inhibitory effects against certain bacteria and fungi.

Animal studies also found evidence of pain-relieving activity. In one experiment, an aqueous cannabis root extract reduced pain-related abdominal contractions in mice and increased the time before the animals reacted to a heated surface. Another study found that root extracts reduced abdominal contractions in a mouse model of primary dysmenorrhea.

However, the evidence remains largely limited to laboratory and animal studies. The researchers said differences in growing conditions, soil, climate, harvesting and extraction methods also make it difficult to compare results across studies.

No cytotoxicity or genetic damage was identified in the reviewed experiments, although the authors called for standardized research, more detailed chemical analysis and controlled animal and human studies before therapeutic conclusions can be reached.

“Cannabis sativa roots represent a neglected pharmacognostic resource with considerable potential to contribute to drug discovery and the development of new therapeutic strategies,” the researchers concluded.

The review was accepted July 12 and is currently available as an unedited article-in-press manuscript.