Cannabinoids and autoimmune diseases: A systematic review.

Posted on by

“Cannabinoids have shown to have a variety effects on body systems. Through CB1 and CB2 receptors, amongst other, they exert an effect by modulating neurotransmitter and cytokine release.

Current research in the role of cannabinoids in the immune system shows that they possess immunosuppressive properties. They can inhibit proliferation of leucocytes, induce apoptosis of T cells and macrophages and reduce secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

In mice models, they are effective in reducing inflammation in arthritis, multiple sclerosis, have a positive effect on neuropathic pain and in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

They are effective as treatment for fibromyalgia and have shown to have anti-fibrotic effect in scleroderma.

Studies in human models are scarce and not conclusive and more research is required in this field.

Cannabinoids can be therefore promising immunosuppressive and anti-fibrotic agents in the therapy of autoimmune disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26876387

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/autoimmune-disease/

Endocannabinoids as Guardians of Metastasis.

Posted on by

“Endocannabinoids including anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are involved in cancer pathophysiology in several ways, including tumor growth and progression, peritumoral inflammation, nausea and cancer pain.

Recently we showed that the endocannabinoid profiles are deranged during cancer to an extent that this manifests in alterations of plasma endocannabinoids in cancer patients, which was mimicked by similar changes in rodent models of local and metastatic cancer.

The present topical review summarizes the complexity of endocannabinoid signaling in the context of tumor growth and metastasis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26875980

Smoking marijuana reduces cancer risk

Posted on by

“Marijuana reduces cancer risk and kills existing tumors”

People smoke a joint during a demonstration organised by the CIRC (research and information center) and entitled 'L'appel du 18 juin' (the call of June 18) to claim for the legalization of the use of marijuana and hashish, on June 18, 2011 at the Parc de la Villette in Paris. The 'Appel du 18 Joint' uses a play on words to make their point, coming on the same day as France celebrates the 'Appel du 18 Juin' or Call of 18 June, when Charles de Gaulle called for resistance against collaborationist Vichy government in 1940. AFP PHOTO / FRED DUFOUR

“This may be hard to believe — as we’re fairly accustomed to the notion that inhaling smoke is always bad for your health — but research shows smoking marijuana actually decreases the risk for developing lung cancer.

According to multiple study findings published on Cancer.gov, “Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death.”

Dr. Donald Tashkin, professor emeritus of medicine at UCLA, also recently revealed to LA Weekly that after 30 years of studying the effects of marijuana smoke on lung function, he did not find any association between lung cancer and smoking weed.

Smoking marijuana doesn’t lead to impaired lung function either

Tashkin also found smoking marijuana does not lead to impaired lung function even after years of habitual use.”

More: http://extract.suntimes.com/information-resources/10/153/892/smoking-marijuana-reduces-cancer-risk

“Cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells in the laboratory. Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death.” http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/cannabis-pdq#section/all

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/cancer/

Cannabis sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules.

Posted on by

“Cannabis sativa L. is an important herbaceous species originating from Central Asia, which has been used in folk medicine and as a source of textile fiber since the dawn of times.

This fast-growing plant has recently seen a resurgence of interest because of its multi-purpose applications: it is indeed a treasure trove of phytochemicals and a rich source of both cellulosic and woody fibers.

Equally highly interested in this plant are the pharmaceutical and construction sectors, since its metabolites show potent bioactivities on human health and its outer and inner stem tissues can be used to make bioplastics and concrete-like material, respectively.

In this review, the rich spectrum of hemp phytochemicals is discussed by putting a special emphasis on molecules of industrial interest, including cannabinoids, terpenes and phenolic compounds, and their biosynthetic routes.

Cannabinoids represent the most studied group of compounds, mainly due to their wide range of pharmaceutical effects in humans, including psychotropic activities.

The therapeutic and commercial interests of some terpenes and phenolic compounds, and in particular stilbenoids and lignans, are also highlighted in view of the most recent literature data.

Biotechnological avenues to enhance the production and bioactivity of hemp secondary metabolites are proposed by discussing the power of plant genetic engineering and tissue culture. In particular two systems are reviewed, i.e., cell suspension and hairy root cultures.

Additionally, an entire section is devoted to hemp trichomes, in the light of their importance as phytochemical factories.

Ultimately, prospects on the benefits linked to the use of the -omics technologies, such as metabolomics and transcriptomics to speed up the identification and the large-scale production of lead agents from bioengineered Cannabis cell culture, are presented.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26870049

“Known since the ancient times for its medicinal and textile uses, hemp is currently witnessing a revival, because of its rich repertoire of phytochemicals, its fibers and its agricultural features, namely quite good resistance to drought and pests, well-developed root system preventing soil erosion, lower water requirement with respect to other crops, e.g., cotton.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740396/

Review of Various Herbal Supplements as Complementary Treatments for Oral Cancer.

Posted on by

Publication Cover

“In the United States, nearly 44,000 people are diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer annually. The life expectancy for those who are diagnosed have a survival rate of 57% after five years. Among them, oral cancer can be classified as benign or malignant tumors and is diagnosed at several stages in the development: premalignant conditions, premalignant lesions, and malignant cancer. The early signs of oral cancer often go unnoticed by the individual and are often discovered during routine dental examinations. Early detection and treatment may help to increase patient survival rates. The most widely used treatments for oral cancer include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy-alone or in combination.

Preclinical and clinical evidence for the use of green tea, raspberry, asparagus, and cannabis extracts is discussed in this review. Diet changes, supplementation with antioxidants, high-dose vitamin C therapy, and cannabinoid use have been suggested to decrease cancer cell replication and increase chance of remission.

Early detection and lifestyle changes, including the use of dietary supplements in at-risk populations, are critical steps in preventing and successfully treating oral cancer. The main evidence for supplement use is currently in cancer prevention rather than treatment.

Further research, determination, and mechanism of action for bioactive compounds such as epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, and Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate, through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials need to be completed to support the use of natural products and their effectiveness in preventative care and supporting therapeutic approaches.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26863913

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/19390211.2015.1122693?journalCode=ijds20

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/oral-cancer/

Attenuation of cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking by URB597 through cannabinoid CB1 receptor in rats.

Posted on by

“The endocannabinoid system is composed of endocannabinoids (such as anandamide), their target receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors, CB1Rs and CB2Rs), the enzymes that degrade them (fatty-acid-amide-hydrolase (FAAH) for anandamide), and an endocannabinoid transporter. FAAH inhibition has been recently identified as having a critical involvement in behaviors related to nicotine addiction and has been shown to reduce the effect of nicotine on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system via CB1R and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Thus, inhibition of FAAH may represent a novel strategy for smoking cessation, but its mechanism of action on relapse to nicotine seeking is still unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

The study aims to explore the mechanism of action of the inhibitor of FAAH activity, URB597, on relapse to nicotine seeking by evaluating the effect of the CB1R, CB2R, and PPARα antagonists on the attenuating effect of URB597 on cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking in rats.

RESULTS:

URB597 reduced cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking, an effect that was reversed by the CB1R antagonist rimonabant, but not by the CB2R or PPARα antagonists AM630 and MK886, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that URB597 reduces cue-induced reinstatement in rats through a CB1 receptor-dependent mechanism, and not via CB2R or PPARα. Since FAAH inhibition represent a novel and promising strategy for tobacco smoking cessation, dissecting how it produces its action may lead to a better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying nicotine addiction.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26864774

Cannabidiol Oil for Decreasing Addictive Use of Marijuana: A Case Report.

Posted on by

“This case study illustrates the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil to decrease the addictive use of marijuana and provide anxiolytic and sleep benefits.

The second most abundant component-CBD-has been suggested to have the medicinal effects of decreasing anxiety, improving sleep, and other neuro-protective effects.

The mechanism of action for CBD has been suggested to be antagonistic to the psychoactive properties of THC in many locations within the central nervous system. Such action raises the issue of whether it might be beneficial to use CBD in isolation to facilitate withdrawal of marijuana use.

With use of the CBD oil, the patient reported being less anxious, as well as settling into a regular pattern of sleep. He also indicated that he had not used any marijuana since starting the CBD oil. With the decrease in the dosage to 18 mg, the patient was able to maintain his nonuse of marijuana.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26807069

Cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety in adolescence and the moderating effect of the serotonin transporter gene.

Posted on by

“Prior studies have concluded that cannabis use alone is not sufficient for the development of long-term anxiety, and it has been suggested that cannabis is simply a risk factor that operates in conjunction with other risk factors.

One such risk factor may be an individuals’ genetic vulnerability.

The present study examines the relationship between cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety by taking a developmental molecular-genetic perspective with a focus on a polymorphism involved in the regulation of serotonin.

The findings of the present study show first evidence that the links between cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety are conditional on the individuals’ genetic make-up.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26860734

Peripubertal treatment with cannabidiol prevents the emergence of psychosis in an animal model of schizophrenia

Posted on by

“Currently, the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia is still associated with significant side effects and high rates of treatment resistance, causing a great deal of suffering to patients and their caregivers. Developing safe interventions able to prevent the emergence of full-blown psychosis would therefore represent a major advance.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic compound of Cannabis sativa that presents antipsychotic properties in animal models and humans.

However, despite the growing evidence of CBD’s neuroprotective effects and therapeutic application in schizophrenia, so far no study has addressed its potential as a preventive intervention.”

http://www.schres-journal.com/article/S0920-9964(16)30060-3/abstract

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/schizophrenia/

Cannabinoid pharmacology in cancer research: A new hope for cancer patients?

Posted on by

Image result for Eur J Pharmacol.

“Cannabinoids have been used for many centuries to ease pain and in the past decade, the endocannabinoid system has been implicated in a number of pathophysiological conditions, such as mood and anxiety disorders, movement disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension, glaucoma, obesity, and osteoporosis.

Several studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids also have anti-cancer activity and as cannabinoids are usually well tolerated and do not produce the typical toxic effects of conventional chemotherapies, there is considerable merit in the development of cannabinoids as potential anticancer therapies.

Whilst the presence of psychoactive effects of cannabinoids could prevent any progress in this field, recent studies have shown the value of the non-psychoactive components of cannabinoids in activating apoptotic pathways, inducing anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects.

The aforementioned effects are suggested to be through pathways such as ERK, Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways and hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1), all of which are important contributors to the hallmarks of cancer.

Many important questions still remain unanswered or are poorly addressed thus necessitating further research at basic pre-clinical and clinical levels. In this review, we address these issues with a view to identifying the key challenges that future research needs to address.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26852955

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/cancer/