Cannflavin A is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in the cannabis plant that has received far less attention than cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. In this 2022 laboratory study, researchers investigated whether cannflavin A could affect bladder cancer cells on its own and whether it could enhance the activity of chemotherapy drugs and cannabinoids. The results showed that cannflavin A reduced bladder cancer cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner and triggered apoptosis, a process that helps eliminate damaged or abnormal cells.

Researchers also examined combinations of cannflavin A with gemcitabine, cisplatin, and several cannabinoids. While interactions with chemotherapy drugs varied depending on the concentrations used, cannflavin A demonstrated synergistic effects when combined with cannabinoids including CBD, THC, CBC, and CBDV. The compound also reduced the invasive behavior of bladder cancer cells by approximately 50%, suggesting it may influence multiple biological processes involved in cancer progression.

The authors concluded that cannabis-derived compounds beyond cannabinoids may have important biological activity and deserve further investigation. While these findings were limited to laboratory cell models and do not demonstrate effectiveness in humans, the study highlights cannflavin A as a promising compound for future cancer research, particularly when used alongside cannabinoids or other therapeutic agents.

Source: Tomko AM, Whynot EG, Dupré DJ. Anti-cancer Properties of Cannflavin A and Potential Synergistic Effects with Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, and Cannabinoids in Bladder Cancer. Journal of Cannabis Research. 2022. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35869542/