The therapeutic potential of novel cannabinoid receptors.

Cover image

“Cannabinoids produce a plethora of biological effects, including the modulation of neuronal activity through the activation of CB(1) receptors and of immune responses through the activation of CB(2) receptors. The selective targeting of either of these two receptor subtypes has clear therapeutic value. Recent evidence indicates that some of the cannabinomimetic effects previously thought to be produced through CB(1) and/or CB(2) receptors, be they on neuronal activity, on the vasculature tone or immune responses, still persist despite the pharmacological blockade or genetic ablation of CB(1) and/or CB(2) receptors. This suggests that additional cannabinoid and cannabinoid-like receptors exist. Here we will review this evidence in the context of their therapeutic value and discuss their true belonging to the endocannabinoid signaling system.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19248809

“The therapeutic potential of novel cannabinoid receptors”  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163725809000266

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.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21626285

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