Evidence mapPaperPMID 41810908Full record

ArticleCancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)2026

Cytotoxicity Potency of Cannabinoids Is by Serum Supplementation: Implications for In Vitro Cancer Studies.

Sanele Priscillia Mathibela, Maphuti Tebogo Lebelo, Vanessa Steenkamp

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sanele Priscillia MathibelaDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9696-3407
Maphuti Tebogo LebeloDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6377-8261
Vanessa SteenkampDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3575-0410

Funding

University of Pretoria, Research Development Programme
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFetal calf serum (FCS) is a key supplement in cell culture, providing nutrients, and growth factors that support cancer cell proliferation. Studies suggest that compound cytotoxicity profiles in vitro vary depending on FCS concentration in culture medium. The study aimed to examine how extracellular conditions influence the in vitro response of cancer cells to phytocannabinoids, with particular emphasis on serum supplementation. METHODS AND

resultsCells were exposed to CBD and THC in media containing 0.5% or 10% FCS for 24-72 h. Cell viability was assessed using the sulforhodamine B assay and live-cell imaging. Significantly enhanced cytotoxic effects of CBD and THC were noted under low-serum conditions (0.5% FCS) compared to standard conditions (10% FCS), particularly after 72 h incubation. THC demonstrated greater cytotoxicity than CBD in SiHa cells, while both compounds showed similar effects in HeLa cells.

conclusionThe study demonstrates that serum concentration critically modulates the cytotoxic potency of cannabinoids. Reduced FCS enhances cannabinoid efficacy by limiting protein binding, emphasizing the need to optimize serum conditions for accurate in vitro cytotoxicity assessments.

Indexed as

CannabinoidsCulture MediaDronabinolSerumAnimalsCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationCell SurvivalHeLa CellsHumansCannabinoidsCulture MediaDronabinolcannabidiolcervical cancercytotoxicityfetal calf serumtetrahydrocannabinol

Identifiers

PMID41810908
PMCPMC12977297

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.