Wound healing efficacy of Cannabis sativa L. essential oil in a mouse incisional wound model: A possible link with stress and anxiety

Cannabis Sativa L. (Cannabaceae) exerts biological effects through its bioactive compounds. Cannabis Sativa L. essential oil (CSEO) is known to have antibacterial properties that can accelerate wound healing. The present study aimed to evaluate the wound healing efficacy of freshly extracted essential oils from Cannabis Sativa L. hydrodistillated from the leaves of the plant. CSEO was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Neurobehavioral, histological, and biochemical analyses were performed to examine the effects of CSEO application in an incisional wound model. CSEO demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by reducing neutrophil levels in blood and skin tissue. CSEO acts by accelerating re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation. Furthermore, CSEO restored incision-induced neurobehavioral changes by reducing cortisol levels. Increased cortisol levels are associated with inhibition of the healing process, anxiolytic effects, and increased vertical locomotor activity in treated animals. The effect of CSEO in the healing process makes it worthy of recommendation as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of skin wounds.