Monthly Archives: June 2014

Cannabis May Help Combat Herpes Viruses

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“The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.

Once a person is infected with herpes, the viruses can remain dormant for long periods within white blood cells before they burst out and begin replicating. This reactivation of the virus boosts the number of cells infected thereby increasing the chances that the cells will become cancerous.

The USF team found that this sudden reactivation was prevented if infected cells were grown in the presence of THC. Furthermore, the researchers showed that THC acts specifically on gamma herpes viruses. The chemical had no effect on another related virus, herpes simplex-1, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.

Small concentrations of THC were found to be more potent and selective against gamma herpes viruses than the commonly used antiviral drugs on the market.

The findings, published Sept. 15 in the online journal BMC Medicine, could lead to the creation of antiviral drugs based on nonpsychoactive derivatives of THC.”

http://stdlabtest.com/2009/06/30/cannabis-may-help-combat-herpes-viruses/

Patent: CA 2771800 A1: Herbal medication for cold sores and genital herpes and preparation thereof

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“The present invention generally relates to herbal medications. More particularly, it relates to formulations to treat cold sores and genital herpes. The ingredients of this formulation are cannabis oil and cannabis roots, which are used to treat genital herpes, cold sores and other viral diseases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed formulation comprises cannabis oil and cannabis root fibres. The person with herpes surrounds the lesion with the cannabis oil such that the lesion is completely covered. The root fibres are then applied over the oil-covered lesions.

Finally, medical gauze is applied over the treated areas and secured to the skin. Within 24 hours, the gauze may be removed. The herpes lesions heal and, of significance, outbreaks do not recur.
An individual genital herpes treatment comprises 1 gram of oil and 0.5 gram of root fibres.
CLAIMS
1. A formulation of cannabis oil and cannabis root powder to treat viral diseases, whereby there is no recurrence of the disease after one treatment.”

MARIJUANA INGREDIENT KILLS HERPES VIRUSES IN TEST-TUBE STUDY

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“Marijuana’s active ingredient killed herpes viruses in test-tube experiments…

University of South Florida microbiologist Gerald Lancz said his study may help scientists discover new anti-herpes medicines.

Lancz said it might be possible to find substances related to THC that don’t affect the mind but do kill viruses.

Lancz and his colleagues incubated THC and various viruses in test tubes.

They found that, in doses somewhat higher than found in the blood of regular marijuana users, THC killed herpes simplex virus 1, which causes the cold sores that typify oral herpes.

The scientists didn’t test THC against herpes simplex 2, the genital herpes virus. But Lancz said the drug almost certainly will kill the genital herpes virus because it is so similar to the oral herpes virus.

The study found THC also killed cytomegalovirus, a herpes virus that causes flu-like symptoms in adults and is the most common infectious cause of birth defects in the United States.”

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1990/Marijuana-Ingredient-Kills-Herpes-Viruses-in-Test-Tube-Study/id-767b0693c14381d912e5cc89baf71b68

 

Cannabis May Help Combat Cancer-causing Herpes Viruses

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ScienceDaily: Your source for the latest research news

“The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.

The findings, published Sept. 15 in the online journal BMC Medicine, could lead to the creation of antiviral drugs based on nonpsychoactive derivatives of THC.

The gamma herpes viruses include Kaposi’s Sarcoma Associated Herpes virus, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer that is particularly prevalent in AIDS sufferers. Another is Epstein-Barr virus, which predisposes infected individuals to cancers such as Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease.

Once a person is infected, these viruses can remain dormant for long periods within white blood cells before they burst out and begin replicating. This reactivation of the virus boosts the number of cells infected thereby increasing the chances that the cells will become cancerous.

The USF team, led by virologist Peter Medveczky, MD, found that this sudden reactivation was prevented if infected cells were grown in the presence of THC. While cells infected with a mouse gamma herpes virus normally died when the virus was reactivated, these same cells survived when cultured in the laboratory along with the cannabinoid compound – further evidence that THC prevents viral reactivation.

Furthermore, the researchers showed that THC acts specifically on gamma herpes viruses. The chemical had no effect on another related virus, herpes simplex-1, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.

Small concentrations of THC were more potent and selective against gamma herpes viruses than the commonly used antiviral drugs acyclovir, gancicyclovir and foscamet, said Dr. Medveczky, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

The USF researchers suggest that THC selectively inhibits the spread of gamma herpes viruses by targeting a gene these viruses all share called ORF50.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040923092627.htm

Cannabinoids Can Limit Neurological Stroke Damage

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“Chemical compounds found in cannabis may help to reduce brain damage following a stroke, new research has revealed.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham conducted a meta-analysis of experimental studies into cannabinoids; chemicals related to those found in cannabis, some of which also occur naturally in the body. The findings showed that the compounds could reduce the size of stroke and improve neurological function.
Cannabinoids can be classified into those found naturally in the body (endocannabinoids), those made artificially (synthetic cannabinoids) or those derived from extracts from the plant cannabis sativa (phytocannabinoids).
The research, announced at the annual UK Stroke Forum, indicates that all three classes of cannabinoid could be effective in shrinking the area of the brain affected by stroke and in recovering neurological function.”

Compounds in cannabis could limit stroke damage

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A cannabis plant

“Chemical compounds found in cannabis may help to reduce brain damage following a stroke, new research has revealed.

 Researchers at the University of Nottingham conducted a meta-analysis of experimental studies into cannabinoids; chemicals related to those found in cannabis, some of which also occur naturally in the body. The findings showed that the compounds could reduce the size of stroke and improve neurological function.
Cannabinoids can be classified into those found naturally in the body (endocannabinoids), those made artificially (synthetic cannabinoids) or those derived from extracts from the plant cannabis sativa (phytocannabinoids).”

Marijuana Could Reduce Brain Damage After Stroke, Researchers Say

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(Photo: Lavender Dreamer/Flickr)

“New research suggests compounds in marijuana may protect the brain from damage following a stroke. Scientists hope to perform human trials in the near future.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham conducted a meta-analysis of previous studies, reports the Nottingham Post, concluding that cannabinoids could reduce the severity of stroke as well as improve neurological outcomes.

Lead author Dr. Tim England, honorary consultant stroke physician at the University of Nottingham and Royal Derby Hospital, presented the findings at this week’s annual UK Stroke Forum conference.

Dr. England explained in an university release that while research thus far has been limited to animals, the latest findings provide support for human studies.

“This meta-analysis of pre-clinical stroke studies provides valuable information on the existing, and importantly, missing data on the use of cannabinoids as a potential treatment for stroke patients. The data are guiding the next steps in experimental stroke in order to be able to progress onto initial safety assessments in a clinical trial.”

Dr. England and his team examined 94 past studies involving the effects of various cannabinoids on 1022 rats, mice or monkeys, reports The New Zealand Herald. The effects on stroke seemed to be consistent across all three types of cannabinoids: synthetic, marijuana-derived and those naturally produced by the body.

Dr. Dale Webb, director of research and information at the Stroke Association, also concluded that scientists should now aim to replicate the findings in humans.

“The findings have identified the potential for cannabinoids to reduce brain damage caused by stroke. Further research is needed to investigate whether cannabinoids have the same effects in humans: the effects of cannabis on the brain are highly complex and it remains a risky substance.”

Following the presentation of the findings, Dr. Madina Kara, a neuroscientist at the Stroke Association, said that human trials are now “under discussion.””

http://www.leafscience.com/2013/12/03/marijuana-reduce-brain-damage-stroke-researchers-say/

Marijuana Use Linked To Lower Stroke Risk

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(Photo: comedy_nose/Flickr)

“Those who use marijuana may benefit from a reduced chance of stroke, according to a new study.

As part of The Stroke Prevention in Young Adults Study, researchers from the University of Maryland analyzed past marijuana use among 751 stroke cases and 813 controls.

The results, which spanned 16 years, showed that those who used marijuana were less likely to suffer a stroke. 28.8% of stroke patients reported marijuana use verses 32.7% of those with no history of stroke.

“The question is still out there, the research still needs to be done. Patients are interested, and I think this lays a foundation for that,” said Dr. Billinghurst.

However, cochair Jennifer Majersik, MD, of the University of Utah, said the study “should be reassuring” to people who smoked marijuana in the 1960s or 1970s, adding that Baby Boomers have yet to show any negative marijuana-associated effects.

Factors that seemed to increase the risk of stroke included tobacco and alcohol use and a history of diabetes and hypertension. Stroke sufferers also tended to be male.

‘Extremely Promising’

Other studies have suggested a link between marijuana use and an increased risk of stroke, but opinions remain divided. On the other hand, there is a growing body of evidence that supports a beneficial role of medical marijuana following a stroke.

In 2013, researchers at the University of Nottingham analyzed pre-existing evidence and concluded that marijuana compounds, called cannabinoids, show promise in reducing the severity of stroke and improving patient outcomes.

“The data are guiding the next steps in experimental stroke in order to be able to progress onto initial safety assessments in a clinical trial,” said lead author and stroke specialist Dr. Tim England.

An earlier analysis of cannabinoids in post-stroke treatment, published in 2012, concluded that “both synthetic cannabinoids and endocannabinoids represent extremely promising therapeutic compounds.”

According to the 2012 findings, compounds that bind to the body’s marijuana pathways may offer protection against post-stroke injury due to their “potent anti-inflammatory” effects.”

http://www.leafscience.com/2014/05/13/marijuana-use-linked-lower-stroke-risk/

Stroke Risk Caused By Tobacco Not Cannabis

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“Prohibitionists are grasping at straws by claiming that cannabis is linked to strokes, Norml president Julian Crawford says.

In the Auckland University study, all but one of the stroke patients who were cannabis users also used tobacco regularly.

According to the US National Stroke Association, “Smoking tobacco doubles the risk for stroke when compared to a non-smoker. It reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, causing the heart to work harder and allowing blood clots to form more easily.”

“Prohibitionists are scraping the bottom of the barrel by claiming that cannabis doubles the risk of stroke, when this result has already been linked to tobacco use,” Mr Crawford said.

“There is nothing scientific about this study and it should be discredited by all rational individuals.””

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1302/S00011/stroke-risk-caused-by-tobacco-not-cannabis.htm

A Marijuana Bud A Day Keeps The Stroke Away

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http://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/a-marijuana-bud-a-day-keeps-the-stroke-away/

“Heart Surgeon: “Marijuana everyday reduces stroke risk by 50%”. A bud a day keeps the stroke away! That is the claim being made by this Medical Doctor who is also an avid medical marijuana supporter.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fM5T_vty58