Cannabinoid-mediated antinociception is enhanced in rat osteoarthritic knees

“Cannabinoid-mediated antinociception is enhanced in rat osteoarthritic (OA) knees… application of the CB(1) agonist significantly reduced the firing rate of afferent nerve fibers… These findings indicate that activation of peripheral CB(1) receptors reduces the mechanosensitivity of afferent nerve fibers in control and OA knee joints. As such, peripheral CB(1) receptors may be important targets in controlling OA pain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18163511

Characterisation of the cannabinoid receptor system in synovial tissue and fluid in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

“Cannabis-based medicines have a number of therapeutic indications, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects… cannabis-based drugs have therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS)…aim of this study was to determine whether the key elements of the endocannabinoid signalling system.. are expressed in the synovia of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or RA… Our data predict that the cannabinoid receptor system present in the synovium may be an important therapeutic target for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with OA and RA.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2453762/?tool=pubmed

Rheumatoid arthritis, cannabis based medicine eases pain and suppresses disease

“The first study to use a cannabis-based medicine (CBM) for treating rheumatoid arthritis has found that it has a significant effect on easing pain and on suppressing the disease”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/33376.php

The Cannabinergic System as a Target for Anti-inflammatory Therapies

“Cell-based experiments or in vivo animal testing suggest that regulation of the endocannabinoid circuitry can impact almost every major function associated with the immune system. These studies were assisted by the development of numerous novel molecules that exert their biological effects through the endocannabinoid system. Several of these compounds were tested for their effects on immune function, and the results suggest therapeutic opportunities for a variety of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, allergic asthma, and autoimmune diabetes through modulation of the endocannabinoid system.”

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/ctmc/2006/00000006/00000013/art00008