“Cannabinoid (CB) receptors have emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for pain management in recent years and the interest in the use of cannabinoids is gradually increasing, particularly in patients where conventional treatments fail…
This study suggests that THC could be a future pharmacological option in the treatment of muscle pain.
The local administration of THC could be an interesting option to treat this type of pain avoiding the central adverse effects.”
“High-grade glioma is one of the most aggressive cancers in adult humans and long-term survival rates are very low as standard treatments for glioma remain largely unsuccessful.
Cannabinoids have been shown to specifically inhibit glioma growth as well as neutralize oncogenic processes such as angiogenesis.
In an attempt to improve treatment outcome, we have investigated the effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) both alone and in combination with radiotherapy in a number of glioma cell lines (T98G, U87MG, and GL261).
Cannabinoids were used in two forms, pure (P) and as a botanical drug substance (BDS).
Results demonstrated a duration- and dose-dependent reduction in cell viability with each cannabinoid and suggested that THC-BDS was more efficacious than THC-P, whereas, conversely, CBD-P was more efficacious than CBD-BDS.
…increase in radiosensitivity was associated with an increase in markers of autophagy and apoptosis.
These in vitro results were recapitulated in an orthotopic murine model for glioma, which showed dramatic reductions in tumor volumes when both cannabinoids were used with irradiation.
Taken together, our data highlight the possibility that these cannabinoids can prime glioma cells to respond better to ionizing radiation, and suggest a potential clinical benefit for glioma patients by using these two treatment modalities.”
“Microglia are a population of macrophage-like cells in the central nervous system (CNS) which, upon infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), secrete a plethora of inflammatory factors, including the virus-specified trans-activating protein Tat.
Tat has been implicated in HIV neuropathogenesis since it elicits chemokines, cytokines, and a chemotactic response from microglia. It also harbors a β-chemokine receptor binding motif, articulating a mode by which it acts as a migration stimulus.
Since select cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties, cross the blood-brain barrier, and target specific receptors, they have potential to serve as agents for dampening untoward neuroimmune responses.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of select cannabinoids on the migration of microglial-like cells toward Tat.
…it was demonstrated that the exogenous cannabinoids Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CP55940 exerted a concentration-related reduction in the migration of BV-2 cells towards Tat.
These results indicate that cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of BV-2 microglial-like cell migration to Tat is linked functionally to the CB2R…”
“In SIV-infected macaques, chronic administration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), inhibited viral replication, intestinal inflammation and slowed disease progression.
Persistent gastrointestinal disease/inflammation has been proposed to facilitate microbial translocation, systemic immune activation and promote disease progression. Cannabinoids including Δ9-THC attenuated intestinal inflammation in mouse colitis models and SIV-infected rhesus macaques…
Gastrointestinal tract (GI) disease/inflammation is a hallmark of HIV/SIV infection. Previously, we showed that chronic treatment of SIV-infected macaques with Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) increased survival and decreased viral replication and infection induced gastrointestinal inflammation.
Here, we show that chronic THC administration to SIV-infected macaques induced an anti-inflammatory microRNA expression profile…
Overall, our results show that selective upregulation of anti-inflammatory miRNA expression, contributes to THC-mediated suppression of gastrointestinal inflammation and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.”
“The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Americans is 9% and increasing…
Vagal afferent neurons are inhibited by cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) or cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptors in animal models of vagally-mediated behaviors…
These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of dronabinol (THC) in the treatment of OSA and implicate participation of both cannabinoid receptors in dronabinol’s apnea suppression effect.”
“We identified 16 randomized placebo-controlled trials investigating cannabinoids as symptomatic treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS).
There is evidence that nabiximols (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray may reduce subjective symptoms of spasticity and that dronabinol (THC) is effective against neuropathic pain in patients with MS…”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25350886
http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/
“Endocannabinoids are lipid mediators able to bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets responsible for the pharmacological effects of the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
These bioactive lipids belong mainly to two classes of compounds: N-acylethanolamines and acylesters, being N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively, their main representatives.
During the last twenty years, an ever growing number of fatty acid derivatives (endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like compounds) have been discovered and their activities biological is the subject of intense investigations.
Here, the most recent advances, from a therapeutic point of view, on endocannabinoids, related compounds, and their metabolic routes will be reviewed.”
“Refractory spasticity, central neuropathic pain and bladder dysfunction are common clinical problems in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). None of the currently available oral medications has proven to be reliably effective and can be limited by toxicity.
Cannabinoids have shown therapeutic effects on those MS-associated symptoms.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) Sativex (nabiximols) is an oromucosal spray formulation that contains THC and CBD in an approximate 1:1 ratio and is described as an endocannabinoid system modulator.
The efficacy of THC/CBD on MS-associated spasticity, pain and bladder dysfunction has been studied in clinical trials as well as in clinical practice studies. Adverse effects are usually mild or moderate and the low rate of drug discontinuation provides good evidence of long-term tolerability. This article focuses on the pharmacological properties, clinical efficacy and tolerability of THC/CBD in MS patients.”
“The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is becoming more prevalent.
For this purpose, various preparations of cannabis of varying strengths and content are being used.
The recent changes in the legal environment have improved the availability of products with high cannabidiol (CBD) and low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations.
There is some anecdotal evidence of their potential efficacy, but the mechanisms of such action are not entirely clear.
Some suspect an existence of synergy or “entourage effect” between CBD and THC.
There is strong evidence that THC acts via the cannabinoid receptor CB1.
The mechanism of action of CBD is less clear but is likely polypharmacological.
The scientific data support the role of the endocannabinoid system in seizure generation, maintenance, and control in animal models of epilepsy.
There are clear data for the negative effects of cannabis on the developing and mature brain though these effects appear to be relatively mild in most cases.
Further data from well-designed studies are needed regarding short- and long-term efficacy and side effects of CBD or high-CBD/low-THC products for the treatment of seizures and epilepsy in children and adults.”
“Both delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) and cannabigerol, two naturally occurring marihuana cannabinoids, produced only a modest fall in intraocular pressure after acute topical application to the eyes of cats.
After chronic administration unilaterally to the cornea via Alzet osmotic minipumps and connecting extraocular cannulas, however, a considerable fall in ocular tension amounting to 4 to 7 mm Hg occurred. After systemic administration of delta 9-THC to rats, polyspike discharges appeared in the cortical electroencephalogram initially during wakefulness and behavioral depression. These polyspikes subsequently became evident within rapid eye movement sleep episodes. Cannabigerol was devoid of this effect. After removal of either sympathetic or parasympathetic input to the eyes of cats, the intraocular pressure lowering effect of delta 9-THC was not changed. Neither delta 9-THC nor cannabigerol altered the rate of formation of aqueous humor. On the other hand, both cannabinoids produced a two-to three-fold increase in aqueous outflow facility.
These results suggest that cannabigerol and related cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of glaucoma.”