THE EFFECT OF INHALED CANNABIS SATIVA AND ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) ON THE BODY WEIGHT, ORGAN WEIGHT AND SEX HORMONE IN MALE WISTAR RATS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page – – – – – – – i

Declaration – – – – – – – – ii

Certification – – – – – – – iii

Dedication – – – – – – – iv

Acknowledgements – – – – – – – v

Table of contents – – – – – – – vi

Abstract – – – – – – xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study – – – – – – – 1

1.2 Objective of Study- – – – – – – – – 4

1.3 Justification/Rationale for the Study- – – – – – 4

1.5 Significance of the Study- – – – – – – 6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Cannabis Sativa Plant Description- – – – – – 6

2.1.1 Seedling:- – – – – – – – – – 7

2.1.2 Stem: – – – – – – – – – – 7

2.1.3 Leaves:- – – – – – – – – – 7

2.1.4 Buds or flowers on the cannabis plant:- – – – – 7

2.1.5 Smell of the cannabis plant, especially the leaves and flowers- – 8

2.1.6 Discovery and cultivation- – – – – – – 8

2.2 Scientific Classification of Cannabis- – – – – – 9

2.2.1 Species of Marijuana– – – – – – – – 10

2.2.1.1 Cannabis sativa- – – – – – – – – 10

2.2.1.2 Cannabis Indica- – – – – – – – 11

2.2.1.3 Cannabis Ruderalis- – – – – – – – 12

2.3 Economic Importance of Marijuana- – – – – – 15

2.4 Constituents of Cannabis- – – – – – – – 17

2.4.1 Phytocannabinoids — – – – – – – – 17

2.4.2 Classification- – – – – – – – – 18

2.4.3 Noncannabinoid-Type Constituents- – – – – – 20

2.4.4 Hydrocarbons- – – – – – – – – 23

2.4.5 Nitrogen-Containing Compounds – – – – 23

2.4.6 Carbohydrates- – – – – – – – – 24

2.4.7 Flavonoids- – – – – – – – – – 24

2.4.8 Fatty Acids- – – – – – – – – – 25

2.4.9 Noncannabinoid Phenols- – – – – – – 25

2.4.10 Other- – – – – – – – – – 26

2.4.11 Cannabinoid Receptor System- – – – – – 26

2.4.12 Cannabinoid 1 and 2 Receptors- – – – – – 27

2.5 Sex Hormones and Its Synthesis- – – – – – 28

2.6 The Protein Hormones- – – – – – – – 28

2.6.1 The Gonadotropins- – – – – – – – 28

2.6.2 Luteinizing Hormone (LH)- – – – – – – 29

2.6.3 Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)- – – – – 30

2.6.4 Prolactin (Prl)- – – – – – – – – 31

2.7 The Steroid Hormones- – – – – – – – 32

2.7.1 Oestrogens- – – – – – – – – – 32

2.7.2 Oestradiol (E2)- – – – – – – – – 32

2.7.3 Oestrone (E1)- – – – – – – – – 33

2.7.4 Oestriol (E3)- – – – – – – – – 33

2.7.5 Progesterone (P4)- – – – – – – – – 34

2.7.6 Testosterone (T)- – – – – – – – – 35

2.8 Cannabis Effects- – – – – – – – – 35

2.8.1 Endocrine effects – – – – – – – – 35

2.8.2 Hypothalamic Pituitary-Gonadal Axis – – – – – 35

2.9 Hpg Axis Effects In Males – – – – – – 37

2.9.1 Effects on Reproductive Hormones in Males – – – – 37

2.10 Effects on Prolactin – – – – – – – 39

2.10.1 Effects on other Body Systems – – – – – 40

2.10.2 Vitamin C – – – – – – – – – 41

2.10.3 Biosynthesis and molecular structure of vitamin C – – 43

2.10.4 Redox metabolism and antioxidant properties of vitamin C- – 44