Consumption and legalization of Cannabis sativa (CS) are increasing at a rapid rate due to its medicinal and recreational importance. However, several studies have revealed that CS stimulates oxidative stress (OS) which could affect the antioxidant defense system of the body. This research examined and compared the protective role of vitamin C (Vit C) on Cannabis sativa (CS)-induced oxidative stress in male (M) and female (F)Wistar rats. Post-acclimation (14 days), M and F animals were separately allocated to four groups. Males (1M, 2M, 3M, and 4M) and females (1F, 2F, 3F, and 4F) groups were administered orally, 1.0 mL of distilled water (control), CS (4.0 mg/kg), Vit C (4.0 mg/kg) and CS (4.0 mg/kg) + Vit C (4.0 mg/kg) respectively, for 21 days. Glutathione peroxide (GPx), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Glutathione reductase (GSH), Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were quantified following standard protocols.

Consumption of Cannabis sativa (CS) (Marijuana) has been known to be a psychoactive substance which has deleterious effects on the body cells. This study was conducted to investigate the inflammatory responses in male and female Wistar rats following administration of CS. Twenty male (m) and twenty female (f) rats were separately assigned into four groups of five animals each. The rats in groups 1m & If, 2m & 2f, 3m & 3f and 4m & 4f received orally 1mL of distilled water (control), 2mg/kg body weight (bw) of CS, 4mg/kgbw of CS and 6mg/kgbw of CS respectively for twenty-one (21) days. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), and Nitric oxide (NO)) were quantified using standard procedures. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in CRP, TNF, IL-6, MPO, and NO in the groups treated with low dose of CS (2mg) but with significant (p<0.05) increase in high doses (4mg and 6mg) groups when compared with the control in both male and female rats.