Category Archives: Pain

Texas A&M Pharmacy Researcher Fights Cancer, Pain With New Cannabinoid Receptor Drug

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DrDaiLu

“Dr. Lu has been working to find new types of chemotherapeutic drugs that both kill pancreatic cancer and suppress the cancer pain at the same time by targeting a special G-protein coupled receptor that belongs to the biological system responsible for the effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a compound derived from some varieties of cannabis (hemp) or made synthetically, that is the primary psychoactive agent in marijuana and hashish.

 Dr. Lu says pancreatic cancer cells have more type 2 cannabinoid receptors than do healthy cells.

 Consequently, drug molecules that selectively activate this receptor can induce cancer cell death without affecting normal pancreatic cells, noting that when given to mice with pancreatic tumors, the molecule prevented tumor growth and suppressed the spread of cancer to healthy organs.

 Meanwhile, this class of compounds also generates painkillers comparable to morphine’s pain killing effect…”

More: http://www.bionews-tx.com/news/2013/08/20/texas-am-pharmacy-researcher-fights-cancer-pain-with-new-cannabinoid-receptor-drug/

The Major Brain Endocannabinoid 2-AG Controls Neuropathic Pain and Mechanical Hyperalgesia in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica.

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“Recurrent myelitis is one of the predominant characteristics in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). While paresis, visual loss, sensory deficits, and bladder dysfunction are well known symptoms in NMO patients, pain has been recognized only recently as another key symptom of the disease. Although spinal cord inflammation is a defining aspect of neuromyelitis, there is an almost complete lack of data on altered somatosensory function, including pain. Therefore, eleven consecutive patients with NMO were investigated regarding the presence and clinical characteristics of pain. All patients were examined clinically as well as by Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) following the protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS). Additionally, plasma endocannabinoid levels and signs of chronic stress and depression were determined. Almost all patients (10/11) suffered from NMO-associated neuropathic pain for the last three months, and 8 out of 11 patients indicated relevant pain at the time of examination. Symptoms of neuropathic pain were reported in the vast majority of patients with NMO. Psychological testing revealed signs of marked depression. Compared to age and gender-matched healthy controls, QST revealed pronounced mechanical and thermal sensory loss, strongly correlated to ongoing pain suggesting the presence of deafferentation-induced neuropathic pain. Thermal hyperalgesia correlated to MRI-verified signs of spinal cord lesion. Heat hyperalgesia was highly correlated to the time since last relapse of NMO. Patients with NMO exhibited significant mechanical and thermal dysesthesia, namely dynamic mechanical allodynia and paradoxical heat sensation. Moreover, they presented frequently with either abnormal mechanical hypoalgesia or hyperalgesia, which depended significantly on plasma levels of the endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerole (2-AG). These data emphasize the high prevalence of neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia in patients with NMO. The degree of mechanical hyperalgesia reflecting central sensitization of nociceptive pathways seems to be controlled by the major brain endocannabinoid 2-AG.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23951176

The use of cannabinoids in chronic pain.

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“We present the case of a 56-year-old man who developed chronic pain following the excision of a facial cancer that was poorly controlled despite multiple analgesic medications. Following the starting of nabilone (a synthetic cannabinoid) his pain control was greatly improved and this had a huge impact on his quality of life.

We also managed to significantly reduce his doses of opioid analgesia and ketamine.

We review the current literature regarding the medicinal use of cannabinoids, with an emphasis on chronic pain, in an attempt to clarify their role and how to select patients who may benefit from this treatment.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23893276

Health Benefits of Cannabis Tea

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Health Benefits of Cannabis Tea 

 

“Reduces Chronic Pain

Reduces Anxiety

Reduces Nausea

May Treat Autoimmune Diseases”

“Marijuana-Infused Tea… Mom always said a cup of tea at night makes it easier to sleep.. Kevin Reed, of The Green Cross medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco, advises patients to add a little milk after brewing to get the full effect of the cannabis.”  http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10004358-12.html

 

“Cannabis Tea… Other names: Pot Tea, Weed Tea…Translations: Kaņepes Tēja, Kanapių arbata, Ceai de canabis, Kanabis Tea, Cần sa trà, Cannabis urządzenia, कैनबिस चाय, Chá de Cannabis, Каннабис чай, Η κάνναβη Τσάι, القنب الشاي, 대마초 차, Cannabis Čaj, Cannabis Teh, 大麻茶, Cannabis para preparar té, Cannabis Čaj, קנאביס תה, Канабис чај, 大麻コーヒー, Cannabis Te, Cannabis per a preparar te, Каннабіс чай, Kannabis Tea, Канабис чай”     http://www.foodista.com/food/3HJ8KNK6/cannabis-tea#

“Cannabis tea revisited: a systematic evaluation of the cannabinoid composition of cannabis tea.”   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17604926

25 Benefits to Drinking Green Tea

Therapeutic Utility of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 (CB2) Selective Agonists.

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“The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), is a class A GPCR that was cloned in 1993 while looking for an alternate receptor that could explain the pharmacological properties of 9- tetrahydrocannabinol. CB2 was identified among cDNAs based on its similarity in amino-acid sequence to the CB1 receptor and helped provide an explanation for the established effects of cannabinoids on the immune system.

In addition to the immune system, CB2 has widespread tissue expression and has been found in brain, PNS and GI tract. Several “mixed” cannabinoid agonists are currently in clinical use primarily for controlling pain and it is believed that selective CB2 agonism may afford a superior analgesic agent devoid of the centrally mediated CB1 effects.

Thus, selective CB2 receptor agonists represent high value putative therapeutics for treating pain and other disease states. In this perspective, we seek to provide a concise update of progress in the field.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23865723

CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Prevents NGF-Induced Sensitization of TRPV1 in Sensory Neurons.

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“The transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel (TRPV1) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are important mediators of inflammatory pain…

Cannabinoids, by activating CB1 G protein-coupled receptors, produce analgesia in a variety of pain models, though the exact mechanisms are not known. We tested the hypothesis that activation of the CB1 receptor by cannabinoids attenuates NGF-induced TRPV1 sensitization….

These results support the hypothesis that cannabinoids, acting through CB1 receptors, may produce analgesia in part by preventing NGF-induced sensitization of TRPV1 in afferent nociceptor nerve endings.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23850608

Poly-ε-caprolactone microspheres as a drug delivery system for cannabinoid administration: development, characterization and in vitro evaluation of their antitumoral efficacy.

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“Cannabinoids show promise for the treatment of various medical conditions such as emesis, anorexia, pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and glaucoma.

The objective of the present work was to assess the feasibility of developing cannabinoid loaded poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) microparticles prepared by the oil-in-water emulsion-solvent evaporation technique as a suitable dosage form for their administration.

In vitro cell viability studies demonstrated the antitumoral activity of CBD released from microparticles. After 4 and 7 days of incubation, CBD in microspheres significantly inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells by 60% as compared to the 50% attained with free drug.

The results suggest that PCL microparticles could be an alternative delivery system for long-term cannabinoid administration, showing potential therapeutic advantages over free drug.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22580111

GW Pharmaceuticals: Giving New Meaning To ‘High Potential’

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“GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) is an UK-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of cannabinoid-based products for a wide range of indications. GW has established a technology platform based on genetically modified cannabis plants and has become a leader in plant-derived cannabinoid therapeutics.

 GW’s lead program is Sativex, a cannabis extract based oromucosal spray whose main actives are the cannabinoids delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). It is approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity in 21 countries outside of the U.S and already marketed in seven countries (eight following Italian launch in Q213).

…While MS spasticity has provided proof-of-concept in the worldwide approvability of Sativex, a more meaningful commercial opportunity is in the treatment of opioid-refractory cancer pain. Sativex has been tested in two Phase II trials in cancer pain. The trials have demonstrated that Sativex is safe and effective when used in addition to opioids in patients whose cancer pain is not sufficiently managed by opioids alone. Based on these results, GW has initiated three Phase III trials. The first two are expected to complete during 2014 and support an FDA filing.”

More: http://seekingalpha.com/article/1490392-gw-pharmaceuticals-giving-new-meaning-to-high-potential

Marijuana Spray Proves Effective as Cancer Pain Treatment

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“A mouth spray containing cannabinoids is effective in reducing pain in cancer patients who are still in pain despite using opioid medicines, according to a new study published in The Journal of Pain.”

 
“The oral mucosal spray known as nabixmols, which is marketed under the trade name Sativex, contains a formulation of cannabinoids, marijuana’s most active ingredients.”
 

More: http://americannewsreport.com/nationalpainreport/marijuana-spray-proves-effective-as-cancer-pain-treatment-8814518.html

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Pilot Trial With Extension Using an Oral Mucosal Cannabinoid Extract for Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

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“Neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy limits dosing and duration of potentially life-saving anti-cancer treatment and impairs quality of life. Chemotherapeutic neuropathy responds poorly to conventional treatments, and there is an urgent medical need for new treatments. Recent preclinical studies demonstrate that cannabinoid agonists suppress established chemotherapy-evoked neuropathy.

This was a pilot trial to begin to investigate a currently available cannabinoid agent, nabiximols (oral mucosal spray containing cannabinoids), in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.

CONCLUSION:

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain is particularly resistant to currently available treatments. This pilot trial found a number needed to treat of five and an average decrease of 2.6 on an 11-point NRS-PI in five “responders” (as compared with a decrease of 0.6 with placebo) and supports that it is worthwhile to study nabiximols in a full randomized, placebo-controlled trial of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23742737