Tag Archives: cannabis

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of non-psychoactive cannabidiol in neuroblastoma.

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“Neuroblastoma (nbl) is one of the most common solid cancers in children. Prognosis in advanced nbl is still poor despite aggressive multimodality therapy. Furthermore, survivors experience severe long-term multi-organ sequelae. Hence, the identification of new therapeutic strategies is of utmost importance.

Cannabinoids and their derivatives have been used for years in folk medicine and later in the field of palliative care. Recently, they were found to show pharmacologic activity in cancer, including cytostatic, apoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects.

We investigated, in vitro and in vivo, the anti-nbl effect of the most active compounds in Cannabis, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (thc) and cannabidiol (cbd)…

Both compounds have antitumourigenic activity in vitro and impeded the growth of tumour xenografts in vivo. Of the two cannabinoids tested, cbd was the more active. Treatment with cbd reduced the viability and invasiveness of treated tumour cells in vitro and induced apoptosis. Moreover, cbd elicited an increase in activated caspase 3 in treated cells and tumour xenografts.

 

Our results demonstrate the antitumourigenic action of cbd on nbl cells. Because cbd is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that appears to be devoid of side effects, our results support its exploitation as an effective anticancer drug in the management of nbl.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27022310

“Neuroblastomas are cancers that start in early nerve cells (called neuroblasts) of the sympathetic nervous system, so they can be found anywhere along this system.”  http://www.cancer.org/cancer/neuroblastoma/detailedguide/neuroblastoma-what-is-neuroblastoma

Beyond the CB1 Receptor: Is Cannabidiol the Answer for Disorders of Motivation?

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“The Cannabis sativa plant has been used to treat various physiological and psychiatric conditions for millennia.

Current research is focused on isolating potentially therapeutic chemical constituents from the plant for use in the treatment of many central nervous system disorders.

Of particular interest is the primary nonpsychoactive constituent cannabidiol (CBD).

Unlike Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not act through the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor but has many other receptor targets that may play a role in psychiatric disorders.

Here we review preclinical and clinical data outlining the therapeutic efficacy of CBD for the treatment of motivational disorders such as drug addiction, anxiety, and depression.

Across studies, findings suggest promising treatment effects and potentially overlapping mechanisms of action for CBD in these disorders and indicate the need for further systematic investigation of the viability of CBD as a psychiatric pharmacotherapy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27023732

Techniques and technologies for the bioanalysis of Sativex®, metabolites and related compounds.

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“Sativex® is an oromucosal spray indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis and is also an effective analgesic for advanced cancer patients.

Sativex contains Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol in an approximately 1:1 ratio.

The increasing prevalence of medicinal cannabis products highlights the importance of reliable bioanalysis and re-evaluation of the interpretation of positive test results for THC, as legal implications may arise in workplace, roadside and sports drug testing situations. This article summarizes published research on the bioanalysis of THC and cannabidiol, with particular focus on Sativex.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27005853

Cannabis Use Linked to Better Social Skills in Psychosis

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“Psychosis patients who have used cannabis have greater premorbid social skills than patients with psychosis who have never used the drug, data from five European countries suggest.

Laura Ferraro, a PhD student in psychiatry at the University of Palermo, in Italy, and colleagues found that lifetime cannabis use was associated with significantly increased improvements in premorbid social adjustment among psychosis patients.”

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/860664

Medical Marijuana Use in Oncology: A Review.

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“Medicinal marijuana use is currently legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. As more states approve marijuana use for medical indications, physicians will be asked by their patients for more information regarding the risks and benefits of use. This article reviews the history, adverse effects, and proposed mechanisms of action of marijuana and summarizes the available literature regarding symptom relief and therapeutic value in patients with cancer.

OBSERVATIONS:

Marijuana in oncology may have potential for use as an antiemetic, for refractory cancer pain, and as an antitumor agent. However, much of the data are based on animal data, small trials, or are outdated.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:

More research is needed in all areas related to the therapeutic use of marijuana in oncology.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26986677

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

Cannabidiol and epilepsy: rationale and therapeutic potential.

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“Despite the introduction of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), the quality of life and therapeutic response for patients with epilepsy remains still poor. Unfortunately, besides several advantages, these new AEDs have not satisfactorily reduced the number of refractory patients. Therefore, the need for different other therapeutic options to manage epilepsy is still a current issue.

To this purpose, emphasis has been given to phytocannabinoids, which have been medicinally used since ancient time in the treatment of neurological disorders including epilepsy.

In particular, the nonpsychoactive compound cannabidiol (CBD) has shown anticonvulsant properties, both in preclinical and clinical studies, with a yet not completely clarified mechanism of action.

However, it should be made clear that most phytocannabinoids do not act on the endocannabinoid system as in the case of CBD.

In in vivo preclinical studies, CBD has shown significant anticonvulsant effects mainly in acute animal models of seizures, whereas restricted data exist in chronic models of epilepsy as well as in animal models of epileptogenesis.

Likewise, clinical evidence seem to indicate that CBD is able to manage epilepsy both in adults and children affected by refractory seizures, with a favourable side effect profile.

However, to date, clinical trials are both qualitatively and numerically limited, thus yet inconsistent. Therefore, further preclinical and clinical studies are undoubtedly needed to better evaluate the potential therapeutic profile of CBD in epilepsy, although the actually available data is promising.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26976797

Cannabis in Pain Treatment: Clinical & Research Considerations.

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“Cannabinoids show promise as therapeutic agents, particularly as analgesics, but their development and clinical use has been complicated by recognition of their botanical source, cannabis, as a substance of misuse. While research into endogenous cannabinoid systems and potential cannabinoid pharmaceuticals is slowly increasing, there has been intense societal interest in making herbal (plant) cannabis available for medicinal use; 23 U.S. States and all Canadian provinces currently permit use in some clinical contexts. Whether or not individual professionals support the clinical use of herbal cannabis, all clinicians will encounter patients who elect to use it and therefore need to be prepared to advise them on cannabis-related clinical issues despite limited evidence to guide care. Expanded research on cannabis is needed both to better determine the individual and public health effects of increasing use of herbal cannabis and to advance understanding of the pharmaceutical potential of cannabinoids as medications. This paper reviews clinical, research and policy issues related to herbal cannabis in order to support clinicians in thoughtfully advising and caring for patients who use cannabis and it examines obstacles and opportunities to expand research on the health effects of herbal cannabis and cannabinoids.

PERSPECTIVE:

Herbal cannabis is increasingly available for clinical use in the U.S despite continuing controversies over its efficacy and safety. This paper explores important considerations in the use of plant Cannabis to better prepare clinicians to care for patients who use it and to identify needed directions for research.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26961090

Effects of fixed or self-titrated dosages of Sativex on cannabis withdrawal and cravings.

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“There is currently no pharmacological treatment approved for cannabis dependence. In this proof of concept study, we assessed the feasibility/effects of fixed and self-titrated dosages of Sativex (1:1, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD)) on craving and withdrawal from cannabis among nine community-recruited cannabis-dependent subjects.

The results found in this proof of concept study warrant further systematic exploration of Sativex as a treatment option for cannabis withdrawal and dependence.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26925704

Effects of cannabinoid receptor activation by CP55,940 on normal bladder function and irritation-induced bladder overactivity in non-awake anaesthetised rats.

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“CP55,940 is a synthetic analogue of tetrahydrocannabidiol, which is a psychoactive ingredient of the Cannabis plant.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of CP55,940 on normal bladder function in vivo and examine whether it suppresses urinary frequency induced by nociceptive stimuli in the bladder.

CP55,940 decreases bladder activity and urinary frequency induced by nociceptive stimuli, probably by suppression of bladder afferent activity. Effects of CP55,940 were abolished by both CBR antagonists. This data implicates a role for the endocannabinoid system in bladder mechanoafferent function in rats. In addition, our results show that CP55,940 reverses urinary frequency exemplified in an overactive bladder model, suggesting it could be an effective treatment for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26942594

Cannabinoids: Medical implications.

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“Herbal cannabis has been used for thousands of years for medical purposes.

With elucidation of the chemical structures of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and with discovery of the human endocannabinoid system, the medical usefulness of cannabinoids has been more intensively explored.

While more randomized clinical trials are needed for some medical conditions, other medical disorders, like chronic cancer and neuropathic pain and certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis, have substantial evidence supporting cannabinoid efficacy.

While herbal cannabis has not met rigorous FDA standards for medical approval, specific well-characterized cannabinoids have met those standards.

Where medical cannabis is legal, patients typically see a physician who “certifies” that a benefit may result.

Physicians must consider important patient selection criteria such as failure of standard medical treatment for a debilitating medical disorder. Medical cannabis patients must be informed about potential adverse effects, such as acute impairment of memory, coordination and judgment, and possible chronic effects, such as cannabis use disorder, cognitive impairment, and chronic bronchitis.

Novel ways to manipulate the endocannbinoid system are being explored to maximize benefits of cannabinoid therapy and lessen possible harmful effects.

Key messages The medical disorders with the current best evidence that supports a benefit for cannabinoid use are the following: multiple sclerosis patient-reported symptoms of spasticity (nabiximols, nabilone, dronabinol, and oral cannabis extract), multiple sclerosis central pain or painful spasms (nabiximols, nabilone, dronabinol, and oral cannabis extract), multiple sclerosis bladder frequency (nabiximols), and chronic cancer pain/neuropathic pain (nabiximols and smoked THC).

Participating physicians should be knowledgeable about cannabinoids, closely look at the risk/benefit ratio, and consider certain important criteria in selecting a patient, such as: age, severity, and nature of the medical disorder, prior or current serious psychiatric or substance use disorder, failure of standard medical therapy as well as failure of an approved cannabinoid, serious underlying cardiac/pulmonary disease, agreement to follow-up visits, and acceptance of the detailed explanation of potential adverse risks.

The normal human endocannabinoid system is important in the understanding of such issues as normal physiology, cannabis use disorder, and the development of medications that may act as agonists or antagonists to CB1 and CB2.

By understanding the endocannabinoid system, it may be possible to enhance the beneficial effects of cannabinoid-related medication, while reducing the harmful effects.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26912385