The use of Cannabis and Cannabinoid-based products by pregnant women: a patent review

Background: Plants of the genus Cannabis have been gaining attention in medicine. The most outstanding treatments include antispasmodic, analgesic, antiemetic, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory actions.

Objective: To describe patents associated cannabis and cannabinoids as a treatment for pregnant women.

Method: a search was carried out on four patent bases: National Institute of Industrial Property, Latipat, Espacenet, and Patentscope. The search keys used were “Cannabis,” “Cannabidiol,” “Cannabinoids,” “CBD,” and “THC” associated with “pregnant women.” Patents in any language and year were considered.

Results: a total of 1,402 patents were found in all used databases. After reading the title and abstract, patents were excluded if they did not meet the eligibility criteria and/or if they were duplicates, thus leaving 11 patents on the use of cannabis and/or cannabinoids as a treatment in pregnant women. In addition, a critical analysis was carried out. All selected patents were from the Asian continent (China), focusing on traditional Chinese medicine for treating various possible changes during pregnancy and also disease preventions in the postpartum period. It was found that the leading causes for the need of such treatments were related to spleen deficiencies, inability, and moisture stagnation. Finally, the vast majority of treatments used Cannabis fruits associated with other plants.

Conclusion: Given the above, patents related to cannabis and cannabinoids for the treatment of pregnant women in the peri- and post-natal period were analyzed and found to be associated with traditional Chinese medicine.