Arman Kamali Sarvestani - Department of Biology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
Davood Mehrabani - Burn and Wound Healing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Seyed Ebrahim Hoseini - Department of Biology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
Seyedeh-Sara Hashemi - Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Background and Aim : Cannabis sativa L (family Cannabaceae) (C. sativa) has remained the most widely used recreational and abused drug worldwide that occupies the third place among drugs of concern regarding addiction treatment services. This study determined the effect of cannabis on adipose tissue in experimental rat model and evaluated behavioral, and histological changes.Methods : C. sativa L. was provided from herbarium of Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran. A rotary evaporator was used to reach the powder. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. First group received subcutaneous injection of 2 mg/kg of the extract in 0.6 mL volume daily for three weeks, second group just equal volume of 70% ethanol similarly and the third group received just distilled water identically. Spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) test was undertaken using plexiglas maze . Tissues from adipose tissue were provided for histopathological assessment after 7, 14, and 21 days post-intervention. Results : Pathological findings in adipose tissue after in vivo administration of cannabis in different groups of rats showed infiltration of mononuclear cells, inflammation, increase in connective tissue exudate secretion, lobulation in adipose tissue, saponification, degeneration, and necrosis happened after 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Regarding SAB test one week after cannabis use, mean percentage of open arm time (OAT), mean percentages of time spent in the closed arm time (CAT), mean number of times rats passing from the center and number of rats’ peek; the anxiety did not change, but after 2 and 3 weeks following cannabis use, the anxiety level increased. Conclusion : Histological findings denoted to degeneration, and necrosis in adipose tissue after cannabis use. Behavioral assessment revealed that after one week, cannabis use did not change the anxiety, but 2 and 3 weeks after cannabis use, the anxiety level increased.

Behavior, Histology, Adipose tissue, Fat, Cannabis sativa