“Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) induced catalepsy in mice, whereas a cannabis oil (6.68% w/w THC), four cannabinoids and a synthetic mixture did not. Cannabinol (CBN) and olivetol inhibited THC-induced catalepsy in the mornings and the evenings, but cannabidiol (CBD) exhibited this effect only in the evenings. A combination of CBN and CBD inhibited THC-induced catalepsy equal to that of CBN alone in the mornings, but this inhibition was greater than that produced by CBN alone in the evenings.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2897447
Cannflavin A and B, prenylated flavones from Cannabis sativa L.
“Two novel prenylated flavones, termed Cannflavin A and B, were isolated from the cannabinoid free ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa L. Both compounds inhibited prostaglandin E2 production by human rheumatoid synovial cells in culture.”
Isolation from Cannabis sativa L. of cannflavin–a novel inhibitor of prostaglandin production.
“The isolation from Cannabis sativa L. of an inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) E2 production by cultured rheumatoid synovial cells is described. This agent, for which the name Cannflavin has been coined, is distinct from cannabinoids on the basis of isolation procedure, preliminary structural analysis and biological properties. The activity of Cannflavin has been compared with several established anti-inflammatory drugs and the major cannabinoids.”
Cannflavins from hemp sprouts, a novel cannabinoid-free hemp food product, target microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 and 5-lipoxygenase
“Hemp seeds are of great nutritional value, containing all essential amino acids and fatty acids in sufficient amount and ratio to meet the dietary human demand.
Hemp seeds do not contain cannabinoids, and because of their high contents of ω-3 fatty acids, are enjoying a growing popularity as a super-food to beneficially affect chronic inflammation.
Seeds also lack the typical phenolics of hemp leaves and inflorescences, but we found that sprouting, while not triggering the production of cannabinoids, could nevertheless induce the production of the anti-inflammatory prenylflavonoids cannflavins A and B.
This effect was especially marked in Ermo, a cannabinoid-free variety of Cannabis sativa L. Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES-1) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) were identified as the molecular targets of cannflavins A and B, solving an almost three-decade old uncertainty on the mechanism of their the anti-inflammatory activity.
No change on the fatty acid profile was observed during sprouting, and the presence of lipophilic flavonoids combines with the high concentration of ω-3 essential acids to qualify sprouts from Ermo as a novel anti-inflammatory hemp food product worth considering for mass production and commercial development.”
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213434414000176
Agitation in Alzheimer Disease as a Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana in the United States.
“Of the 24 states and localities where medical marijuana is legal, dementia is a qualifying condition in 10 (41.7%), primarily for agitation of Alzheimer disease.
Dementia is somewhat commonly listed as a potential qualifying condition for medical marijuana.
Currently, few applicants for medical marijuana list dementia as the reason for seeking certification. However, given increasingly open attitudes toward recreational and medical marijuana use, providers should be aware that dementia is a potential indication for licensing, despite lack of evidence for its efficacy.”
Cannabinoid signalling in glioma cells
“Cannabinoids, originally derived from Cannabis sativa, as well as their endogenous and synthetic counterparts, were shown to induce apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro and tumour regression in vivo via their specific receptors, cannabinoid receptors CB1 and/or CB2.
CB2 are abnormally expressed in human gliomas and glioma cell lines. Most of the analysed gliomas expressed significant levels of CB2 receptor and the extent of CB2 expression in the tumour specimens was related to tumour malignancy.
A synthetic cannabinoid, WIN 55,212-2, down-regulated the Akt and Erk signalling pathways in C6 glioma cells that resulted in reduction of phosphorylated Bad levels, mitochondrial depolarization and activation of caspase cascade leading to apoptosis.
We examined whether synthetic cannabinoids with different receptor specificity: WIN55,212-2 (a non-selective CB1/CB2 agonist) and JWH133 (a CB2-selective agonist) affect survival of four human glioma cell lines and three primary human glioma cell lines.
WIN-55,212-2 decreased cell viability in all examined cell lines and induced cell death. Susceptibility of the cells to JWH133 treatment correlated with the CB2 expression. Cannabinoids triggered a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, cleavage of caspase-9 and effector caspases.
Induction of cell death by cannabinoid treatment led to the generation of a pro-apoptotic sphingolipid ceramide and disruption of signalling pathways crucial for regulation of proliferation and survival. Increased ceramide levels induced ER-stress and autophagy in drug-treated glioblastoma cells.
We conclude that cannabinoids are efficient inhibitors of human glioma cells growth, once the cells express specific type of cannabinoid receptor.”
http://springerplus.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2193-1801-4-S1-L11
Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Prescription Medication Use In Medicare Part D.
“Legalization of medical marijuana has been one of the most controversial areas of state policy change over the past twenty years. However, little is known about whether medical marijuana is being used clinically to any significant degree. Using data on all prescriptions filled by Medicare Part D enrollees from 2010 to 2013, we found that the use of prescription drugs for which marijuana could serve as a clinical alternative fell significantly, once a medical marijuana law was implemented. National overall reductions in Medicare program and enrollee spending when states implemented medical marijuana laws were estimated to be $165.2 million per year in 2013. The availability of medical marijuana has a significant effect on prescribing patterns and spending in Medicare Part D.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27385238
“Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Prescription Medication Use In Medicare Part D” https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1661
Does cannabidiol have a role in the treatment of schizophrenia?
“Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder which places a significant emotional and economic strain on the individual and society-at-large. Unfortunately, currently available therapeutic strategies do not provide adequate relief and some patients are treatment-resistant.
In this regard, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, has shown significant promise as a potential antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia.
However, there is still considerable uncertainty about the mechanism of action of CBD as well as the brain regions which are thought to mediate its putative antipsychotic effects. We argue that further research on CBD is required to fast-track its progress to the clinic and in doing so, we may generate novel insights into the neurobiology of schizophrenia.”
The endocannabinoid system – a target for the treatment of LUTS?
“Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in all age groups and both sexes, resulting in tremendous personal suffering and a substantial burden to society.
Antimuscarinic drugs are the mainstay of symptom management in patients with LUTS, although their clinical utility is limited by the high prevalence of adverse effects, which often limit patients’ long-term adherence to these agents.
Data from controversial studies in the 1990s revealed the positive effects of marijuana-based compounds on LUTS, and sparked an interest in the possibility of treating bladder disorders with cannabis.
Increased understanding of cannabinoid receptor pharmacology and the discovery of endogenous ligands of these receptors has prompted debate and further research into the clinical utility of exogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists relative to the unwanted psychotropic effects of these agents.
Currently, the endocannabinoid system is considered as a potential drug target for pharmacological management of LUTS, with a more favourable adverse event profile than antimuscarinic agents.”
The cannabinoid 2 receptor agonist β-caryophyllene modulates the inflammatory reaction induced by Mycobacterium bovis BCG by inhibiting neutrophil migration.
“β-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a sesquiterpene that binds to the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of BCP and another CB2 agonist, GP1a in inflammatory experimental model induced by Mycobacterium bovis (BCG).
These results suggest that the CB2 receptor may represent a new target for modulating the inflammatory reaction induced by mycobacteria.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27379721
“β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a common constitute of the essential oils of numerous spice, food plants and major component in Cannabis.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23138934