Tag Archives: therapies

Proapoptotic effect of endocannabinoids in prostate cancer cells.

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“Recent evidence shows that derivatives of Cannabis sativa and its analogs may exert a protective effect against different types of oncologic pathologies.

The purpose of the present study was to detect the presence of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) on cancer cells with a prostatic origin and to evaluate the effect of the in vitro use of synthetic analogs…

Based on these results, we suggest that endocannabinoids may be a beneficial option for the treatment of prostate cancer that has become nonresponsive to common therapies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25606819

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

Smoking Marijuana Relieves Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis in Patients, with Minor Cognitive Effects

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“Smoking marijuana has been shown to relieve muscle tightness, called spasticity, and painful symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis, who have been resistant to conventional MS therapies, according to a new study.

“We found that smoked cannabis was superior to placebo in reducing symptoms and pain in patients with treatment-resistant spasticity, or excessive muscle contractions,” Researcher Dr. Jody Corey-Bloom, director of the University of California, San Diego Multiple Sclerosis Center said in a journal news release.”

http://www.medicaldaily.com/smoking-marijuana-relieves-symptoms-multiple-sclerosis-patients-minor-cognitive-effects-240433

“Smoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3394820/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/

More Evidence Pot Treats Auto-Immune Diseases

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“Researchers at the University of South Carolina have another clue as to why patients with auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s and celiac disease sometimes respond to medical marijuana therapies, according to Science World Reports.

The main active ingredient in pot, THC, regulates gene expression in immune cells, effectively switching off runaway inflammation at the DNA level.

The researchers used mice cells in vivo and the results suggest that “THC activates the expression of a subset of genes while suppressing the expression of another subset of genes.” The net result is less inflammatory response, which can severely damage and kill cells.

Autoimmune diseases involve an abnormal immune response of the body, causing immune cells to attack healthy cells instead of pathogens. Autoimmune diseases — a collection of about 80 diseases — are the 10th leading cause of death of women in all age groups up to 65 years old.

Despite the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis, providers remain under attack across America. California senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein currently support the war on pot patients and providers. The Drug Policy Alliance has started a new campaign today to help citizens lobby Senators to defund the war on medical marijuana.”

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2014/06/03/more-evidence-pot-treats-auto-immune-diseases

Medical Marijuana Pills May Ease Some MS Symptoms: Review

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Medical Marijuana Pills May Ease Some MS Symptoms: Review

“Medical marijuana pills and sprays might ease the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but most other alternative therapies do little to lessen the pain and muscle rigidity that often accompanies the disease, according to new guidelines.

To reach that conclusion, an expert panel from the American Academy of Neurology reviewed more than 40 years of research on alternative medicine treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS)…

The guidelines are published in the March 25 issue of the journal Neurology.”

http://consumer.healthday.com/public-health-information-30/marijuana-news-759/guideline-medical-marijuana-may-ease-some-ms-symptoms-686096.html#.UzDKXsAnP9M.twitter

“Marijuana May Ease Some Symptoms of MS, New Guidelines Find. Medical marijuana pills or an oral spray made from cannabis may help ease some of the painful spasms caused by multiple sclerosis that make day-to-day life hard for patients, according to new guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology.” http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/marijuana-may-ease-some-symptoms-ms-new-guidelines-find-n60626


Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Neuroendocrine Responses to Inflammation.

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“… the endocannabinoid system has been recognized as a major neuromodulatory system whose main functions are to exert and maintain the body homeostasis.

The coordinated neural, immune, behavioral and endocrine responses to inflammation are orchestrated to provide an important defense against infections and help homeostasis restoration in the body. These responses are executed and controlled mainly by the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis. Also, the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal system is essential for survival and plays a role recovering the homeostasis under a variety of stress conditions, including inflammation and infection.

Since the endocannabinoid system components are present at sites involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis regulation, several studies were performed in order to investigate the endocannabinoid-mediated neurotransmitters and hormones secretion under physiological and pathological conditions.

In the present review we focused on the endocannabinoids actions on the neuroendocrine response to inflammation and infection. We provide a detailed overview of the current understanding of the role of the endocannabinoid system in the recovering of homeostasis as well as potential pharmacological therapies based on the manipulation of endocannabinoid system components that could provide novel treatments for a wide range of disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24588819

Targeting astrocytomas and invading immune cells with cannabinoids: a promising therapeutic avenue.

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“The last quarter century has borne witness to great advances in both the detection and treatment of numerous cancers. Even so, malignancies of the central nervous system, especially high-grade astrocytomas, continue to thwart our best efforts toward effective chemotherapeutic strategies.

With prognosis remaining bleak, the time for serious consideration of alternative therapies has arrived. Various preparations of the marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa, and related synthetic and endogenous compounds, may constitute just such an alternative.

Cannabinoids, although much maligned historically for their psychotropic effects and clear abuse potential, have long been used medicinally and are now staging an impressive comeback, as recent studies have begun to explore their powerful anti-tumoral properties.

In this study, we review in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the use of cannabinoids for treatment of brain tumors. We further propose the continued intense investigation of cannabinoid efficacies as novel anti-cancer agents, especially in models recapitulating such properties within the unique environment of the brain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17952648

Who Benefits Most from THC:CBD Spray? Learning from Clinical Experience.

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“In this article, real-life data from clinical practice showing specific aspects relating to use of 9-delta-tetrahydocannabinol and cannabidiol (THC:CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex®) in patients with moderate to severe spasticity resistant to usual therapy will be presented…

These case reports highlight the diverse nature of the MS spasticity population and they show the possible usefulness of THC:CBD oromucosal spray in individual patients with moderate to severe spasticity resistant to existing therapies…

Perhaps the most important finding is the possibility of obtaining relevant improvements in QoL/ADL (quality of life/activities of daily living) in some patients with resistant MS spasticity, allowing them to engage back in physical and social activities.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24457847

CB2 Receptor Deficiency Increases Amyloid Pathology and Alters Tau Processing in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.

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“The endocannabinoid CB2 receptor system has been implicated in the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)…

The results confirm the constitutive role of the CB2 receptor system both in reducing amyloid plaque pathology in AD and also support the potential of cannabinoid therapies targeting CB2 to reduce Aβ…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24408112

The Endocannabinoid System and Sex Steroid Hormone-Dependent Cancers.

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“The “endocannabinoid system (ECS)” comprises the endocannabinoids, the enzymes that regulate their synthesis and degradation, the prototypicalcannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), some noncannabinoid receptors, and an, as yet, uncharacterised transport system.

Recent evidence suggests that both cannabinoid receptors are present in sex steroid hormone-dependent cancer tissues and potentially play an important role in those malignancies.

Sex steroid hormones regulate the endocannabinoid system and the endocannabinoids prevent tumour development through putative protective mechanisms that prevent cell growth and migration, suggesting an important role for endocannabinoids in the regulation of sex hormone-dependent tumours and metastasis.

Here, the role of the endocannabinoid system in sex steroid hormone-dependent cancers is described and the potential for novel therapies assessed.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24369462

Treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: new perspectives regarding the use of cannabinoids.

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“Spasticity remains a prevalent symptom in multiple sclerosis, with a significant associated disability and quality of life impairment… Cannabinoids provide a new way for therapy.

A delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol plus cannabidiol (1:1) association, administered through an oromucosal route, has been approved in several countries including Spain; it causes a specific effect on CB(1) and CB(2) receptors, with traditional psychotropic cannabis actions being minimized.

Randomized, placebo-controlled trials, as well as longer-term open-label extensions, have shown a clear-cut efficacy to reduce spasticity and their associated symptoms in those patients refractory to other therapies, with a good tolerability/safety profile.

No tolerance, abuse or addictive issues have been found…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23011861