# Non-Cannabinoid Metabolites of _Cannabis sativa_ L. with Therapeutic Potential
## 2 Non-Cannabinoid Compounds
### Fatty Acids of Cannabis Seeds  
Fatty acids have high nutritional value. They are a class of molecules made up of a chain of carbon atoms bonded with hydrogen atoms, with a function carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to a terminal end. It is this functional group that participates in chemical reactions that allow fatty acids to perform their physiological roles. Figure 6 below shows the structure of some fatty acids produced by _C. sativa_ L. These roles include providing insulation, storing and providing energy for cells in the absence of glucose, providing the precursor (cholesterol) for the production of hormones and intracellular membranes (estrogen, testosterone, vitamin D hormone, steroids, and prostaglandamins), forming the building blocks of glycolipids and phospholipids which form the cell membrane and subcellular membrane, transporting fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), and modifying proteins. Many of these fatty acids have nutritional and pharmaceutical potential [47]. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c} \hline \hline
**Therapeutic Window/Benefits of Flavonoids** & **Patent Number** \\ \hline Flavonoid derivatives targeting kinases, sirtuins and oncogenic agents for the treatment of cancers. & [40,41] \\ \hline Agent containing flavonoid derivatives for treating cancer and inflammation. & [42] \\ \hline Therapeutic agents containing cannabis flavonoid derivative for ocular disorders. & [43] \\ \hline Therapeutic agents containing cannabis flavonoid derivatives for the prevention and treatment of & \\ \hline neurodegenerative disorders. & [44] \\ \hline Pi 4-kinase inhibitor as a therapeutic for viral hepatitis, cancer, malaria. autoimmune disorders and & \\ inflammation, and a radiosensitizer and immunosuppressant. & [45] \\ \hline Therapeutic antiviral agents containing cannabis cannabinoid derivatives. & [46] \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 6: More therapeutic benefits of flavonoids. Figure 5: A comparison of the docking/binding studies results between the phytoantiviral flavonoids hesperetin, myricetin, linebacker, and caflanone [39]. A 1996 study by [PERSON] and colleagues explored the composition of fatty acids present in the lipid matter of [commercial] cannabis seeds from different countries. Some fatty acids in commercial _Camabis sativa_ (seeds) include caproic acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, isolinolenic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, eicosenoic acid, arachidic acid, isoarachidic acid, and behenic acid [48]. It should also be noted that C. _sativa_ L. seeds, particularly those of the hemp variety, typically have nutritional value. The seed is made up of approximately 25% high-quality protein and 35% fat [49]. Table 7 below lists some vitamins, minerals and macronutrients found in C. _sativa_ L. seeds. In addition to significant concentrations of fatty acids (particularly omega-6 fatty acids), hemp oil extracted from C. _sativa_ L. seeds also contain vitamin C [50,51]; thiamine [50,51]; riboflavin [50,51]; vitamin E [50,51]; minerals such as calcium [50], magnesium [50,51], potassium [50,51], phosphorus [50,51], iron [50,51], zinc [50,51], sodium [50,51], and copper [51]; and macronutrients such as fat [50], carbonyl-drates [50], fiber [50], and protein [50]. In comparison to other popular and nutritionally-rich edible oils such as canola, sunflower, pumpkin and soybean oils, only hemp oil provides the optimal ratio (3:1) of omega-6 fatty acid (linolic acid) and omega-3-fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), along with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SDA) [49]. See Figure 7 for a comparison of the composition of edible plant oils. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Vitamins** & **Minerals** & **Macronutrients** \\ \hline C & Calcium & Fat \\ Thiamine & Iron & Carbohydrate \\ Riboflavin & Magnesium & Fiber \\ Niacin & Phosphorus & Protein \\ B-6 & Potassium & kJ:2313 \\ Polate & Sodium & \\ A & Zinc & \\ E & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}