Category Archives: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Autoimmune Diseases Could be Treated With Medical Marijuana

Posted on by

More findings of the medical benefits of marijuana could result in a universal legalization of the drug.

“Researchers at the University of South Carolina conducted a study that analyzed the effects of THC in marijuana on patients with autoimmune diseases because the drug has previously shown to have an immunomodulatory activity.

Immunomodulatory means something is capable of modifying or regulating one or more immune functions, or can provide an immunologic adjustment, regulation, or potentiation. In this study’s case, the researchers found that the application of marijuana has the ability to suppress an immune response to treat autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, lupus, colitis, multiple sclerosis, and others.”

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/15145/20140603/autoimmune-diseases-treated-medical-marijuana.htm

Marijuana’s potential for treating autoimmune disorders

Posted on by

“A new study provides evidence that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a principal ingredient in marijuana, may be beneficial in treating those with autoimmune disorders.

The study is the first to explore how tiny, yet powerful molecules called microRNAs are influenced by THC. The ability to alter microRNA expression could hold the key to successful treatments for a whole host of autoimmune diseases, including arthritis and multiple sclerosis.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131125121712.htm

Cannabis a Potential Treatment for Autoimmune Diseases, Study Finds

Posted on by

Cannabis found Drakelow in Kidderminster PIC: Reuters

“Cannabis has the potential to be used as a treatment for autoimmune diseases including lupus,colitis, multiple sclerosis and arthritis, scientists have said.

Marijuana is becoming increasingly accepted for its medical benefits, with a number of states in the US legitimising the drug for health purposes.

It is used to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy including nausea and vomiting, as well as stopping Aids patients from losing weight, muscle mass and easing chronic pain.”

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cannabis-potential-treatment-autoimmune-diseases-study-finds-1451022

Marijuana Could Treat Autoimmune Disease: Study

Posted on by

marijuana autoimmune disease

“Building the case for the most widely used illicit drug in developed countries, researchers from the University of South Carolina have discovered marijuana’s potential to treat autoimmune diseases in which chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role.

These include arthritis, lupus, colitis and multiple sclerosis.

Published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the findings say marijuana’s potential key role in fighting these diseases lies in its capacity to suppress certain immune functions, notably inflammation.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/06/04/marijuana-autoimmune-disease_n_5445171.html

Medicinal marijuana use: experiences of people with multiple sclerosis.

Posted on by

 “OBJECTIVE: To describe medical marijuana use from the perspectives of patients with multiple sclerosis.

If evidence of benefit is seen, medicinal marijuana should be made available to patients who could benefit from it…

Conclusion:

Participants reported that marijuana was effective in helping them to manage symptoms of MS.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1479734/

Cannabinoid receptor 2: potential role in immunomodulation and neuroinflammation.

Posted on by

Figure 2

“The cannabinoids are a group of terpenophenolic compounds present in the marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. At present, three general types of cannabinoids have been identified: phytocannabinoids present uniquely in the cannabis plant, endogenous cannabinoids produced in humans and animals, and synthetic cannabinoids generated in a laboratory. It is worth noting that Cannabis sativa produces over 80 cannabinoids…

An accumulating body of evidence suggests that endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 (CB(1), CB(2)) play a significant role in physiologic and pathologic processes, including cognitive and immune functions.

…there is growing appreciation of the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in multiple pathologic conditions involving chronic inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV-1 infection, stroke, Alzheimer’sdisease to name a few), mainly mediated by CB(2) activation.

This review attempts to summarize recent advances in studies of CB(2) activation in the setting of neuroinflammation, immunomodulation and HIV-1 infection.

The full potential of CB2 agonists as therapeutic agents remains to be realized.

Despite some inadequacies of preclinical models to predict clinical efficacy in humans and differences between the signaling of human and rodent CB2 receptors, the development of selective CB2 agonists may open new avenues in therapeutic intervention.

Such interventions would aim at reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators particularly in chronic neuropathologic conditions such as HAND or MS.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3663904/

 

Targeting the cannabinoid pathway limits the development of fibrosis and autoimmunity in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis.

Posted on by

Figure 1

“Our aim was to evaluate the roles of the cannabinoid pathway in the induction and propagation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a mouse model…

Experiments performed in CB2-deficient mice confirmed the influence of CB2 in the development of systemic fibrosis and autoimmunity. Therefore, we demonstrate that the CB2 receptor is a potential target for the treatment of SSc because it controls both skin fibroblast proliferation and the autoimmune reaction.

In this report, we demonstrate for the first time the highly protective role of cannabinoid agonists in SSc. Because these agonists are available and well-tolerated under clinical conditions, our data offer a new therapeutic opportunity in this life-threatening disease.

In conclusion, modulation of the endocannabinoid system is a novel approach for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2893662/

Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1- and 2-mediated Increase in Cyclic AMP Inhibits T Cell Receptor-triggered Signaling

Posted on by

FIGURE 1.

“The aim of this study was to characterize inhibitory mechanisms on T cell receptor signaling mediated by the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Both receptors are coupled to G(i/o) proteins, which are associated with inhibition of cyclic AMP formation…

These findings help to better understand the immunosuppressive effects of cannabinoids and explain the beneficial effects of these drugs in the treatment of T cell-mediated autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis.

To sum up, our results help to explain immunosuppressive effect of cannabinoid drugs, which may be important for the pharmacological evaluation of these drugs, e.g. with respect to their use in neuroinflammatory diseases and T cell-mediated autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790974/#!po=45.6522

Cannabinoid Modulation of Neuroinflammatory Disorders

Posted on by

Table 1.

“Cannabis sativa is a herb belonging to the Cannabaceae family, characterized by palmate leaves and numerous fibers. Its first record as a medicine dates back to 5000 years ago and it was found in China, where cannabis was used for a myriad of purposes and diseases, including malaria, neuropathic pain, nausea, sexual dysfunction and constipation.

The use of cannabis spread from Central Asia and deeply influenced Indian folk medicine. However, sedative and psychotropic effects of cannabis turned it into a recreational drug. This fact resulted in discrimination against the consumption of the cannabis plant and its derivatives, which delayed the scientific findings in this field…

In recent years, a growing interest has been dedicated to the study of the endocannabinoid system. The isolation of Cannabis sativa main psychotropic compound, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has led to the discovery of an atypical neurotransmission system that modulates the release of other neurotransmitters and participates in many biological processes, including the cascade of inflammatory responses.

In this context, cannabinoids have been studied for their possible therapeutic properties in neuroinflammatory diseases. In this review, historic and biochemical aspects of cannabinoids are discussed, as well as their function as modulators of inflammatory processes and therapeutic perspectives for neurodegenerative disorders, particularly, multiple sclerosis.

Cannabinoid compounds may be extracted from the plant (phytocannabinoids) or be artificially obtained (synthetic cannabinoids)…

To date, it is still impossible to prove or rule out all benefits of cannabis described empirically by ancient herbal practitioners. For now, science aims to understand how cannabinoid compounds are associated with neuroinflammation and how cannabis-based medicine can help millions of patients worldwide.”

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3386505/

Activation through cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 on dendritic cells triggers NF-kappaB-dependent apoptosis: novel role for endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids in immunoregulation.

Posted on by

<br /> FIGURE 1.<br />

“Cannabinoids are compounds derived from the Cannabis sativa (marijuana) plant, as well as produced endogenously in the brain and by immune cells. Cannabinoids mediate their effect through cannabinoid receptors (CB), designated CB1 and CB2, which belong to a superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors.

CB1 receptors are expressed at high levels in CNS, where they regulate psychoactivity. CB1 receptors are also expressed on immune cells. In contrast, the CB2 receptors are primarily expressed on immune cells and do not contribute to the psychoactivity. The presence of endogenous CB-ligand systems in immune cells suggests that they may play a critical physiological role, the precise nature of which remains to be characterized.

Cannabinoids can decrease the immune response… Cannabinoids have also been widely used in the treatment of pain and inflammation.

Moreover, preliminary studies have shown the possible use of cannabinoids in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Recent studies from our lab demonstrated that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can trigger apoptosis in vivo in thymocytes and splenocytes, which may account for immunosuppression.

 We demonstrate for the first time that THC and endocannabinoids such as anandamide can induce apoptosis in DCs through activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors.

These studies provide the basis for understanding the mechanism by which THC triggers immunosuppression and mediates anti-inflammatory properties.

Many studies have suggested the use of THC or related cannabinoids in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.”

http://www.jimmunol.org/content/173/4/2373.long