Phase 1 study of safety and feasibility of Bhanga (Cannabis sativa) churna in the Pre-operative period in oral cavity squamous cell cancer.

Cancer is a serious disease that is growing very fast around the world. In 2020, about 1.9 crore new cancer cases were reported, and India had the third highest number, after China and the USA. By the year 2040, cancer cases in India may increase by 57%, reaching over 20 lakh people. One common type of cancer in India is mouth cancer, which is part of head and neck cancers. It spreads quickly, comes back after treatment, and is more common in poor or developing countries like India. In India, the traditional system of medicine called Ayurveda has long used herbs and plants to treat diseases. Ancient Ayurvedic books mention cancer-like illnesses as “Arbuda” (big swelling) or “Granthi” (small swelling). One such plant used in Ayurveda is Bhanga, also known as Cannabis sativa. Cannabis contains natural chemicals called cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, which may help kill cancer cells, stop their growth, reduce spreading, and support the body’s immune system.These cannabinoids work by attaching to special parts of the body called receptors. Some studies in the lab and in animals have shown that cannabis can cause cancer cells to die and may reduce inflammation, but there are only a few studies in humans. Cannabis can be taken as a capsule or spray. Capsules are easy to take and help measure the correct dose. The effects may take about two hours to appear. Some side effects like dizziness or sleepiness have been reported, but most are mild. New studies suggest that natural cannabis may work better than lab-made versions because all parts of the plant work together to give better results. Our study aims to find out if Bhanga is safe to use before surgery in patients with mouth cancer. We will give Bhanga in powder (churna) form, following Ayurvedic methods. This research hopes to offer a safe, low-cost treatment that supports patients before and after surgery, along with their regular cancer care.