Cannabinoid receptors as a target for therapy of ovarian cancer

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“Ovarian cancer represents one of the leading cause of cancer-relateddeaths for women and is the most common gynecologic malignancy.In spite of relative low morbidity, ovarian cancer has a highfatality ratio, with overall 5-year survival of less than 30%.At present, there are inadequate treatment options for the managementof advanced ovarian cancer, and therefore development of novelapproaches for treatment of this disease are needed.

Cannabinoids,the active components of Cannabis sativa linnaeous and their derivatives have received considerable attention in recent yearsdue to their diverse pharmacological activities such as cell growth inhibition and tumor regression. To date, two differentcannabinoid receptors have been characterized and cloned frommammalian tissues: the “central” CB1 receptor and the “peripheral”CB2 receptor…

These results support a new therapeutic approach for the treatmentof ovarian cancer. It is also conceivable that with available cannabinoids as lead compounds, non-habit forming agents that have higher biological effects could be developed.”

http://www.aacrmeetingabstracts.org/cgi/content/abstract/2006/1/1084

http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/66/8_Supplement/1084.1

Active Ingredient in Marijuana Kills Brain Cancer Cells

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“New research out of Spain suggests that THC — the active ingredient in marijuana — appears to prompt the death of brain cancer cells.”

 
“The finding is based on work with mice designed to carry human cancer tumors, as well as from an analysis of THC’s impact on tumor cells extracted from two patients coping with a highly aggressive form of brain cancer.”
 

THC is anticarcinogenic: marijuana may be cancer cure!

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“Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 1-Trans-[Delta.sup.9]-Tetrahydrocannabinol

Summation of above:

“Thus, in our studies, rats and mice that received THC for 2 years exhibited body weight reductions, enhanced survival rates, and decreased tumor incidences in several sites, mainly organs under hormonal control. These earlier experimental carcinogenesis results on THC clearly lend further validity to the notion that cannabinoids may indeed be anticarcinogenic.””

 link
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Antitumor+Effects+of+THC-a06814…

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/thc-is-anticarcinogenic-marijuana-may-be-cancer-cure/question-1031413/?link=ibaf&q=THC+anti-carcinogenic+news

Neuroprotection and reduction of glial reaction by cannabidiol treatment after sciatic nerve transection in neonatal rats.

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“The clinical use of neurotrophic factors is difficult due to side effects and elevated costs, but other molecules might be effective and more easily obtained. Among them, some are derived from Cannabis sativa.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the major non-psychotropic component found on the surface of such plant leaves.

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective potential of CBD…

The present results show that CBD possesses neuroprotective characteristics that may, in turn, be promising for future clinical use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23981015

Cannabis with high cannabidiol content is associated with fewer psychotic experiences.

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“An increasing number of authors identify cannabidiol, another component of the cannabis plant, as an antipsychotic agent. The objective of the current study is to investigate the role of cannabidiol content in the association between cannabis use and psychiatric symptoms in a large non-clinical population of cannabis users…

CONCLUSION:

Although the observed effects are subtle, using high cannabidiol content cannabis was associated with significantly lower degrees of psychotic symptoms providing further support for the antipsychotic potential of cannabidiol.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21592732

Can medical herbs stimulate regeneration or neuroprotection and treat neuropathic pain in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy?

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“Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN) has a relevant impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. There are no curative conventional treatments, so further options have to be investigated. We conducted a systematic review in English and Chinese language databases to illuminate the role of medical herbs. 26 relevant studies on 5 single herbs, one extract, one receptor-agonist, and 8 combinations of herbs were identified focusing on the single herbs Acorus calamus rhizoma, Cannabis sativa fructus, Chamomilla matricaria, Ginkgo biloba, Salvia officinalis, Sweet bee venom, Fritillaria cirrhosae bulbus, and the herbal combinations Bu Yang Huan Wu, modified Bu Yang Huan Wu plus Liuwei Di Huang, modified Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Wan, Geranii herba plus Aconiti lateralis praeparata radix , Niu Che Sen Qi Wan (Goshajinkigan), Gui Zhi Jia Shu Fu Tang (Keishikajutsubuto), Huang Qi Wu Wu Tang (Ogikeishigomotsuto), and Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang (Shakuyakukanzoto). The knowledge of mechanism of action is still limited, the quality of clinical trials needs further improvement, and studies have not yielded enough evidence to establish a standard practice, but a lot of promising substances have been identified.

While CIPN has multiple mechanisms of neuronal degeneration, a combination of herbs or substances might deal with multiple targets for the aim of neuroprotection or neuroregeneration in CIPN.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23983777

The CB1 receptor mediates the peripheral effects of ghrelin on AMPK activity but not on growth hormone release.

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“This study aimed to investigate whether the growth hormone release and metabolic effects of ghrelin on AMPK activity of peripheral tissues are mediated by cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and the central nervous system…  Our data suggest that the metabolic effects of ghrelin on AMPK in peripheral tissues are abolished by the lack of functional CB1 receptor via direct peripheral effect and partially through the central nervous system, thus supporting the existence of a possible ghrelin-cannabinoid-CB1-AMPK pathway.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23982145

The secret “spice”: an undetectable toxic cause of seizure.

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“”Spice” is an umbrella term for a variety of synthetic cannabinoid products whose inhalation has been associated with an increasing number of toxic side effects resulting in emergency department visits. These side effects (including psychosis, tachyarrhythmia, and seizures) are not typically seen with marijuana (Cannabis sativa) use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23983854

Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals.

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“Cannabis is a complex plant, with major compounds such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, which have opposing effects. The discovery of its compounds has led to the further discovery of an important neurotransmitter system called the endocannabinoid system.

This system is widely distributed in the brain and in the body, and is considered to be responsible for numerous significant functions.

There has been a recent and consistent worldwide increase in cannabis potency, with increasing associated health concerns. A number of epidemiological research projects have shown links between dose-related cannabis use and an increased risk of development of an enduring psychotic illness. However, it is also known that not everyone who uses cannabis is affected adversely in the same way.

What makes someone more susceptible to its negative effects is not yet known, however there are some emerging vulnerability factors, ranging from certain genes to personality characteristics.

 In this article we first provide an overview of the biochemical basis of cannabis research by examining the different effects of the two main compounds of the plant and the endocannabinoid system, and then go on to review available information on the possible factors explaining variation of its effects upon different individuals.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23983983

Texas A&M Pharmacy Researcher Fights Cancer, Pain With New Cannabinoid Receptor Drug

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DrDaiLu

“Dr. Lu has been working to find new types of chemotherapeutic drugs that both kill pancreatic cancer and suppress the cancer pain at the same time by targeting a special G-protein coupled receptor that belongs to the biological system responsible for the effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a compound derived from some varieties of cannabis (hemp) or made synthetically, that is the primary psychoactive agent in marijuana and hashish.

 Dr. Lu says pancreatic cancer cells have more type 2 cannabinoid receptors than do healthy cells.

 Consequently, drug molecules that selectively activate this receptor can induce cancer cell death without affecting normal pancreatic cells, noting that when given to mice with pancreatic tumors, the molecule prevented tumor growth and suppressed the spread of cancer to healthy organs.

 Meanwhile, this class of compounds also generates painkillers comparable to morphine’s pain killing effect…”

More: http://www.bionews-tx.com/news/2013/08/20/texas-am-pharmacy-researcher-fights-cancer-pain-with-new-cannabinoid-receptor-drug/