Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40016810›Full record

ArticleJournal of cannabis research2025

CANDI: a web server for predicting molecular targets and pathways of cannabis-based therapeutics.

Srinivasan Ekambaram, Jian Wang, Nikolay V Dokholyan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cannabis research, 2025. 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

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Srinivasan EkambaramDepartment of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2323-8364
Jian WangDepartment of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7768-2802
Nikolay V DokholyanDepartment of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA. dokh@psu.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8225-4025

Funding

Nanoscale programming of cellular and physiological phenotypes: EquipmentR35GM134864 · NIGMS · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · PI Nikolay Dokholyan · 2020 to 2026
$5.2M
AI-based Mapping of Complex Cannabis Extracts in Pain PathwaysR01AT012053 · NCCIH · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR · PI Nikolay Dokholyan, KENT E VRANA · 2023 to 2026
$2.4M
National Science Foundation 2210963NCCIH NIH HHS R01 AT012053NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM134864NIH HHS 1R35GM134864
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCannabis sativa L. with a rich history of traditional medicinal use, has garnered significant attention in contemporary research for its potential therapeutic applications in various human diseases, including pain, inflammation, cancer, and osteoarthritis. However, the specific molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the synergistic effects of its diverse phytochemical constituents remain elusive. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted, effective cannabis-based therapies.

methodsTo investigate the molecular targets and pathways involved in the synergistic effects of cannabis compounds, we utilized DRIFT, a deep learning model that leverages attention-based neural networks to predict compound-target interactions. We considered both whole plant extracts and specific plant-based formulations. Predicted targets were then mapped to the Reactome pathway database to identify the biological processes affected. To facilitate the prediction of molecular targets and associated pathways for any user-specified cannabis formulation, we developed CANDI (Cannabis-derived compound Analysis and Network Discovery Interface), a web-based server. This platform offers a user-friendly interface for researchers and drug developers to explore the therapeutic potential of cannabis compounds.

resultsOur analysis using DRIFT and CANDI successfully identified numerous molecular targets of cannabis compounds, many of which are involved in pathways relevant to pain, inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. The CANDI server enables researchers to predict the molecular targets and affected pathways for any specific cannabis formulation, providing valuable insights for developing targeted therapies.

conclusionsBy combining computational approaches with knowledge of traditional cannabis use, we have developed the CANDI server, a tool that allows us to harness the therapeutic potential of cannabis compounds for the effective treatment of various disorders. By bridging traditional pharmaceutical development with cannabis-based medicine, we propose a novel approach for botanical-based treatment modalities.

Indexed as

CANDICannabisProtein-targets and pathways

Identifiers

PMID40016810
PMCPMC11866588

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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 OpenQuestion graph.