Tag Archives: Cannabinoids

The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic implications in rheumatoid arthritis.

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“Since the discovery of the endogenous receptor for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a main constituent of marijuana, the endocannabinoid system (comprising cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, as well as the enzymes involved in their metabolic processes) has been implicated as having multiple regulatory functions in many central and peripheral conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

RA is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that is associated with the involvement of many kinds of cells (such as fibroblastlike synoviocytes [FLSs], osteoclasts, T cells, B cells, and macrophages) and molecules (such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs], and chemokines). Increasing evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system, especially cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), has an important role in the pathophysiology of RA.

Many members of the endocannabinoid system are reported to inhibit synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, and cartilage destruction in RA.

In particular, specific activation of CB2 may relieve RA by inhibiting not only the production of autoantibodies, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs, but also bone erosion, immune response mediated by T cells, and the proliferation of FLSs.

In this review, we will discuss the possible functions of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of RA, which may be a potential target for treatment.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25791728

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/rheumatoid-arthritis-2/

 

The potential of inhibitors of endocannabinoid metabolism as anxiolytic and antidepressive drugs-A practical view.

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“The endocannabinoid system, comprising cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, their endogenous ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol, and their synthetic and metabolic enzymes, are involved in many biological processes in the body, ranging from appetite to bone turnover.

Compounds inhibiting the breakdown of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol increase brain levels of these lipids and thus modulate endocannabinoid signalling.

In the present review, the preclinical evidence that these enzymes are good targets for development of novel therapies for anxiety and depression are discussed from a practical, rather than mechanistic, point of view.

It is concluded that the preclinical data are promising, albeit tempered by problems of tolerance as well as effects upon learning and memory for irreversible monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors, and limited by a focus upon male rodents alone.

Clinical data so far has been restricted to safety studies with inhibitors of anandamide hydrolysis and a hitherto unpublished study on such a compound in elderly patients with major depressive disorders, but under the dose regimes used, they are well tolerated and show no signs of “cannabis-like” behaviours.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25791296

Cannabinoids in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

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“Given the lack of effective treatments for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) and the substantial burden on patients, families, healthcare systems, and economies, finding an effective therapy is one of the highest medical priorities.

The past few years have seen a growing interest in the medicinal uses of cannabinoids, the bioactive components of the cannabis plant, including the treatment of LOAD and other physical conditions that are common in older people.

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids can reduce oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the key hallmarks of LOAD.

Also, in population-based studies, cannabinoids reduced dementia-related symptoms (e.g., behavioral disturbances).

The current article provides an overview of the potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of LOAD and related neuropsychiatric symptoms in older people.

We also discuss the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of cannabinoid-based drugs in older people with dementia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25788394

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/alzheimers-disease-ad/

Placental expression of the endocannabinoid system in preeclampsia.

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Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health

“In the present study, we aimed to analyze cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), CB2 and fatty acid amid hydrolase (FAAH) expressions and localization in normal and preeclamptic placenta, in order to determine whether aberrant endocannabinoid activity is related to preeclampsia…

We observed markedly higher expression of CB1 protein in preeclamptic placental tissue. Increased CB1 expression might cause abnormal decidualization and impair trophoblast invasion, thus being involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. As CB1 activation can induce endothelial dysfunction and enhance vascular inflammation, the strong CB1 immunoreaction in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells suggests that CB1 may contribute to the development of atherosis in the placental villi shown earlier in preeclampsia.

While the detailed pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still unclear, the endocannabinoid system could play a role in the development of the disease.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25787618

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210778914003754

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

NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS SATIVA ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT AGAINST SPINAL ALPHA MOTONEURONS DEGENERATION IN MALE TYPE II DIABETIC RATS

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“Diabetic neourophaty is one of the long-term usual outcomes of diabetes.

According to anti-tumor, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant effects of Cannabis sativa, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Cannabis sativa alcoholic extract on Alpha motoneurons degeneration after sciatic nerve compression in diabetic rats…

Conclusion: Using alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa as a neuroprotective agent can prevent the progression of neural system disorders as a result of hyperglycemia.”

http://en.journals.sid.ir/ViewPaper.aspx?ID=278407

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

Cannabis in cancer care.

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“Cannabis has been used in medicine for thousands of years prior to achieving its current illicit substance status.

Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa, mimic the effects of the endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), activating specific cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 found predominantly in the central nervous system and CB2 found predominantly in cells involved with immune function.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main bioactive cannabinoid in the plant, has been available as a prescription medication approved for treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and anorexia associated with the AIDS wasting syndrome.

Cannabinoids may be of benefit in the treatment of cancer-related pain, possibly synergistic with opioid analgesics.

Cannabinoids have been shown to be of benefit in the treatment of HIV-related peripheral neuropathy, suggesting that they may be worthy of study in patients with other neuropathic symptoms.

Cannabinoids have a favorable drug safety profile, but their medical use is predominantly limited by their psychoactive effects and their limited bioavailability.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25777363

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

Attenuation of kainic acid-induced status epilepticus by inhibition of endocannabinoid transport and degradation in guinea pigs.

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“Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency associated with a high rate of mortality if not treated promptly.

Exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids have been shown to possess anticonvulsant properties both in vivo and in vitro.

Here we study the influence of endocannabinoid metabolism on the development of kainic acid-induced SE in guinea pigs.

The present study provides electrophysiologic and behavioral evidences that inhibition of endocannabinoid metabolism plays a protective role against kainic acid-induced SE and may be employed for therapeutic purposes.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25769371

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/

Role of endogenous cannabinoid system in the gut.

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“The plant Cannabis has been used in clinic for centuries, and has been known to be beneficial in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, such as emesis, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal pain.

In this text, we’ll review the components of the endogenous cannabinoid system as well as its role in the regulation of gastrointestinal activities, thus providing relative information for further study.

Moreover, modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system in gastrointestinal tract may provide a useful therapeutic target for gastrointestinal disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23963077

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/gastrointestinal-disorders/

Is there a legitimate role for the therapeutic use of cannabinoids for symptom management in chronic kidney disease?

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“Chronic pain is a common and debilitating symptom experienced in the context of numerous other physical and emotional symptoms by many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Management of pain with opioids in CKD can be problematic given the prominence of adverse effects of opioids in CKD, which may exacerbate symptoms, such as nausea, anorexia, pruritus, and insomnia, all of which impact negatively on patients’ health-related quality of life.

Novel therapeutic approaches for pain and symptom management in CKD are required.

Recent research in the area of cannabinoids (CBs) is legitimizing the use of cannabis-based medicine.

In this review, we describe the symptom burden borne by patients with CKD and review some of the key basic science and clinical literature to evaluate the potential use of CBs for the management of overall symptom burden in CKD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21269798

Cannabinoid receptors as therapeutic targets for dialysis-induced peritoneal fibrosis.

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“Long-term exposure to bioincompatible peritoneal dialysis solutions is frequently complicated with peritoneal fibrosis and ultrafiltration failure.

As cannabinoid receptor (CBR) ligands have been reported to be beneficial to ameliorate the process of liver fibrosis, we strove to investigate their therapeutic potential to prevent peritoneal fibrosis…

Intraperitoneal administration of CBR ligands (CB(1)R antagonist and CB(2)R agonist) offers a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce dialysis-induced peritoneal fibrosis and to prolong the peritoneal survival in peritoneal dialysis patients.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23296044