“Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant cannabinoid in Cannabis sativa that has no psychoactive properties. CBD has been approved to treat inflammation, pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), of which demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss are hallmarks. Thus, we investigated the protective effects of CBD against the damage to oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) mediated by the immune system… Cannabidiol protects oligodendrocyte progenitor cells… These findings suggest that attenuation of the ER stress pathway is involved in the ‘oligoprotective’ effects of CBD during inflammation.”
Author Archives: David Worrell
Rimonabant inhibits human colon cancer cell growth and reduces the formation of precancerous lesions in the mouse colon
“Rimonabant inhibits human colon cancer cell growth and reduces the formation of precancerous lesions…” and “Cannabinoid receptor activation induces apoptosis… in colon cancer cells”
Modulation of inflammatory responses by a cannabinoid-2-selective agonist after spinal cord injury
“Modulation of inflammatory responses by a cannabinoid-2-selective agonist after spinal cord injury… These results demonstrate that the improvement in motor and autonomic function resulting from treatment with a selective CB2 agonist is associated with a significant effect on inflammatory responses in the spinal cord following injury.”
Cannabinoids for gastrointestinal diseases: potential therapeutic applications
“…pharmacological modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system could provide new therapeutics for the treatment of a number of gastrointestinal diseases, including nausea and vomiting, gastric ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, secretory diarrhoea, paralytic ileus and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some cannabinoids are already in use…”
Alternative targets within the endocannabinoid system for future treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
“Alternative targets within the endocannabinoid system for future treatment of gastrointestinal diseases… Many beneficial effects of herbal cannabinoids on gut motility and inflammation have been demonstrated, suggesting a vast potential for these compounds in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders….endocannabinoid system’ (ECS), a cooperating network of molecules that regulate themetabolism of the body’s own and of exogenously administered cannabinoids. The ECS… offering many potential targets for pharmacological intervention. Of major therapeutic interest are nonpsychoactive cannabinoids that do not directly target cannabinoid receptors but still possess cannabinoid-like properties… promising alternative therapeutic tools to manipulate the ECS.”
Normal Human Pituitary Gland and Pituitary Adenomas Express Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 and Synthesize Endogenous Cannabinoids
“…we report for the first time the expression of CB1 in the human pituitary gland and human pituitary adenomas… cannabinoid-induced modulation of hormonal release were shown… these results indicate a potentially important role of the endocannabinoid system in pituitary pathophysiology, thus opening new perspectives in the management of pituitary adenomas… The results of this study point to a direct role of cannabinoids in the regulation of human pituitary hormone secretion.”
Unraveling the complexities of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) immune regulation in health and disease
CB2 is a potent regulator of immune responses making it a prime target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.”
Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic
“Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic… Cannabis smoke contains cannabinoids whereas tobacco smoke contains nicotine (plus added carcinogens). Available scientific data, that examines the carcinogenic properties of inhaling smoke and its biological consequences, suggests reasons why tobacco smoke, but not cannabis smoke, may result in lung cancer… Furthermore, compounds found in cannabis have been shown to kill numerous cancer types including: lung cancer, breast and prostate, leukemia and lymphoma, glioma, skin cancer, and pheochromocytoma…”-
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/?tool=pubmed
Concomitant consumption of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco in oral squamous cell carcinoma development and progression: Recent advances and challenges
“Carcinogens found in tobacco are also concentrated in marijuana, but the latter also contains high levels of cannabinoids, bioactive compounds responsible for several effects such as euphoria and analgesia. However, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), the major psychotropic cannabinoid found in plants, causes a reduction of cellular metabolism and induction of apoptosis (progarmmed cell death), both of which are anti-neoplastic properties…”
Cannabis derivatives therapy for a seronegative stiff-person syndrome: a case report
“Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is an uncommon and disabling disorder… Cannabis derivatives [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)] are available as an oromucosal spray (Sativex(®)… Our objective is to report a case of seronegative SPS successfully treated with THC-CBD oromucosal spray… THC-CBC can be an option for SPS patient. Our case report suggests that THC-CBD oromucosal spray is an alternative treatment for patients with refractory SPS…”