A drug discovery case history of ‘delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol’.

“…the Cannabis sativa herb has been known for its therapeutic benefit for centuries… interest in the clinical potential of cannabinoid-based drugs escalated after the discovery of the endocannabinoid system… therapeutic applications of cannabinoids (plant-derived or synthetic)… may constitute a useful addition to the pharmacotherapeutic armamentarium in chronic conditions insufficiently alleviated by existing drugs.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22646020

“The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic exploitation.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15340387

“Cannabinoid receptors as therapeutic targets.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16402900

“Cannabinoids.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16266285

“Plant, synthetic, and endogenous cannabinoids in medicine.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16409166

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its major metabolite Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-11-oic acid as 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

“Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), a major component of marijuana, has suggested to suppress atherosclerosis…. Δ(9)-THC seems to be attractive for the prevention of atherosclerosis…

In the present study, Δ(9)-THC was found to be a direct inhibitor for 15-LOX…

Furthermore, Δ(9)-THC-11-oic acid, a major and nonpsychoactive metabolite of Δ(9) -THC, but not another Δ(9)-THC metabolite 11-OH-Δ(9)-THC (psychoactive), was revealed to inhibit 15-LOX.

Taken together, it is suggested that Δ(9) -THC can abrogate atherosclerosis via direct inhibition of 15-LOX, and that Δ(9)-THC-11-oic acid is shown to be an “active metabolite” of Δ(9) -THC in this case.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20891010

“15-lipoxygenase inhibitors as anti-atherosclerosis agents.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18465533

Endocannabinoid system in cancer cachexia.

Image result for current opinion in clinical nutrition & metabolic care

“More than 60% of advanced cancer patients suffer from anorexia and cachexia.

This review focuses on the possible mechanisms by which the endocannabinoid system antagonizes cachexia-anorexia processes in cancer patients and how it can be tapped for therapeutic applications.

Cannabinoids stimulate appetite and food intake…

Cannabinoid type 1 receptor activation stimulates appetite and promotes lipogenesis and energy storage.

Further study of cancer-cachexia pathophysiology and the role of endocannabinoids will help us to develop cannabinoids without psychotropic properties, which will help cancer patients suffering from cachexia and improve outcomes of clinical antitumor therapy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17563462

HIV/AIDS Cure May Be Found In Marijuana: Study

“It is even more evidence of our need for the government to stop punishing patients for using this relatively safe and non-toxic treatment method … ”

Curtis Rood,36, a Cohen House resident with limited mobility, smokes marijuana with the assistance of another resident on Sunday, Nov. 30,1997 in San Francisco. Cohen House provides an assisted living environment for individuals with the AIDS virus. Most of the residents use marijuana for its medicine benefits in alleviating nausua, pain, and helping to stimulate the appetite. Curtis' parrot and self proclaimed best friend, Kona, rests on his shoulder while in the backyard of Cohen House. (AP photo/Julie Stupsker)

“For years, many Americans with HIV/AIDS have used medical marijuana to relieve some common symptoms associated with the illness such as nausea, vomiting and appetite loss.

Now, a new study published last week in the journal AIDS Researcher and Human Retroviruses found that a daily dosage of marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, may actually fight the HIV/AIDS virus itself.”

More: http://www.mintpressnews.com/hivaids-cure-may-be-found-in-marijuana-study/179398/

HIV Infections Cured With Cannabis a Real Possibility

“Researchers are looking into the use of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana, to help stop the spread of HIV infection.

Hundreds of marijuana researchers have reported that THC was able to pierce the RIV virus in monkeys. That particular virus is almost identical to the HIV virus found in humans, so this news is very encouraging.

The greatest drawbacks to this excellent news are the current laws preventing testing on human candidates.

With the changing of these restrictive laws, HIV infections have a great chance of being cured, with cannabis as a real possible player in the race to stop the disease.”

More: http://guardianlv.com/2014/02/hiv-infections-cured-with-cannabis-a-real-possibility/

Breaking News: Study Says Marijuana May Stop the Spread of HIV

 

“People with HIV (and other conditions) have used prescription marijuana to treat the side effects of medication, but a new study published in the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, recently showed that daily doses of may even help combat the disease.”

More: http://www.hivplusmag.com/research/2014/02/11/breaking-news-study-says-marijuana-may-stop-spread-hiv

 

Marijuana as a possible treatment for HIV and cancer

Marijuana

“There’s been some interesting research on using THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the principal psychoactive drug in marijuana, to help fight HIV, and damage cancer cells in some leukemias and possibly malignant tumors.

…the possibility exists that information from both of these research studies may produce beneficial results in the treatment of HIV and cancer.”

More: http://americablog.com/2014/02/marijuana-treatment-hiv-cancer.html

Weed Could Block H.I.V.’s Spread. No, Seriously.

“But the U.S. government won’t let scientists try out this promising treatment on humans… proving that an illegal drug can stop a deadly disease in humans—without testing it on them—is impossible…

THC is one of 500 active ingredients in marijuana. And marijuana, despite many studies proving its medical value, is sill classified by the government as a Schedule 1 Substance.

In the face of mounting evidence that it is beneficial in treating diseases… it remains a controlled substance.

During HIV infection, one of the earliest effects is that the virus spreads rapidly throughout the body and kills a significant part of cells in the gut and intestine. This activity damages the gut in a way that allows the HIV to leak through the cell wall of the intestines and into the bloodstream.

When THC is introduced into this environment, it activates the CB2 receptors in the intestines to build new, healthy bacterial cells that block the virus from leaking through the cell walls. In other words, the body works hard to keep bad stuff in the intestines and the good stuff out.

Put another way: HIV kills the cells that protect the walls— THC brings them back. Reducing the amount of the virus in the lower intestines could then help keep uninfected people uninfected.”

More: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/15/weed-can-block-h-i-v-s-spread-no-seriously.html

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in mouse spleen cells: a potential mechanism for cannabinoid-mediated immunosuppression.

“The ability of delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) to modulate adenylate cyclase activity in mouse spleen cells was investigated…

delta 9-THC treated spleen cells demonstrated a 33% inhibition and a 66% inhibition in intracellular cAMP… respectively…

These studies suggest that inhibition of immune function by delta 9-THC may be mediated through the inhibition of intracellular cAMP early after antigen stimulation.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1321935

Anandamide, a naturally-occurring agonist of the cannabinoid receptor, blocks adenylate cyclase at the frog neuromuscular junction.

“Anandamide (arachydonylethanolamide) is a naturally-occurring ligand of the canabinoid receptor. When anandamide binds to its receptor, adenylate cyclase is inhibited…

The conclusions are that the motor nerve terminal has a cannabinoid receptor.

The binding of anandamide to this receptor seems to block adenylate cyclase.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7953630