Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41588048›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Cannabis smoke extract disrupts trophoblast differentiation and causes mitochondrial dysfunction beyond the effects of Δ9-THC alone.

Cristina Monaco, Mahek Minhas, Tina Podinic, Joshua P Nederveen, Amica-Mariae Lucas, Thane Tomy, Gregg T Tomy, Alison C Holloway, Sandeep Raha

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. 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

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Cristina MonacoDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Mahek MinhasDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Tina PodinicDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Joshua P NederveenDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Amica-Mariae LucasDepartment of Chemistry, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRAD), University of Manitoba, 586 Parker Building, 144 Dysart Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
Thane TomyDepartment of Chemistry, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRAD), University of Manitoba, 586 Parker Building, 144 Dysart Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
Gregg T TomyDepartment of Chemistry, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRAD), University of Manitoba, 586 Parker Building, 144 Dysart Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
Alison C HollowayDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Sandeep RahaDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada. rahas@mcmaster.ca.

Funding

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Doctoral ScholarshipNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada RGPIN-2020-06739
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Smoking cannabis remains the most common mode of consumption amongst pregnant people, yet the effects on placentation remain poorly understood. While prior studies have focused on exposure to single components of cannabis (i.e., Δ9-THC and CBD), this approach overlooks the complex toxicology and pharmacology of cannabis smoke exposure. In this study, we used an in vitro model of human trophoblast differentiation to investigate the impact of CaSE (cannabis smoke extract) compared to Δ9-THC. We show that CaSE, but not Δ9-THC induces CYP1A1 expression, a marker of exposure to combustion by-products. CaSE reduced hCG protein levels and syncytin-1 gene expression, suggesting impaired syncytialization. Lower concentrations of CaSE (1%, 2.5%) elevated reactive oxygen species without impacting membrane potential, whereas higher concentrations (5%, 10%) disrupted mitochondrial respiration, indicating dose-dependent bioenergetic dysfunction. Antioxidant genes, superoxide dismutase 1 and 2, were distinctly altered indicating the divergence in oxidative stress responses. Interestingly, CB1R antagonism rescued the effects of Δ9-THC exposure, but not CaSE-mediated effects on differentiation markers. Since most cannabis users consume cannabis by smoking, and smoke exposure differs from single components (Δ9-THC), it is important that preclinical models consider smoking when evaluating the impacts of cannabis use during pregnancy.

Indexed as

CannabisCell DifferentiationDronabinolMitochondriaPlant ExtractsSmokeTrophoblastsCytochrome P-450 CYP1A1FemaleGene Products, envHumansMembrane Potential, MitochondrialOxidative StressPregnancyPregnancy ProteinsReactive Oxygen SpeciesCNR1 protein, humanCYP1A1 protein, humanCytochrome P-450 CYP1A1DronabinolGene Products, envPlant ExtractsPregnancy ProteinsReactive Oxygen SpeciesReceptor, Cannabinoid, CB1SmokeSOD1 protein, humanSuperoxide Dismutase-1Superoxide Dismutase 2syncytinCannabis smoke extractEndocannabinoid signalingMitochondrial dysfunctionOxidative stressPlacental developmentTrophoblast differentiation

Identifiers

PMID41588048
PMCPMC12905219

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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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.