“Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is an important cause of long-term disability in extremely preterm infants, with no current treatment.
This study assessed the potential neuroprotective effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in an IVH model using immature rats.
CBD prevented the long-lasting motor and cognitive consequences of IVH, reduced brain damage in the short- and long-term, protected oligodendroglial cells preserving adequate myelination and maintained BBB integrity.
The protective effects of CBD were associated with the modulation of inflammation, excitotoxicity and oxidative stress.
In conclusion, in immature rats, CBD reduced IVH-induced brain damage and its short- and long-term consequences, showing robust and pleiotropic neuroprotective effects.
CBD is a potential candidate to ameliorate IVH-induced immature brain damage.”
“Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-euphoric component of Cannabis sativa, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in different models of acute diffuse or mild to moderate focal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in newborn animals with a brain developmental stage similar to that of term human newborns.”
“Introduction: While extensive research exists on the negative consequences of cannabis use, there is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding positive consequences on patterns of cannabis use. The goal of the present study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a novel scale, the Positive Consequences of Cannabis scale (PCOC) to assess positive outcomes of cannabis use among current adult cannabis users.
Methods: Participants (n = 768) were recruited through online platforms. The sample was predominantly non-Hispanic (92.3 %) male (62.92 %) with an average age of 29.08 years (SD = 6.10). A split half validation method was used to assess the factor structure of the PCOC scale. Data analysis also included Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify underlying factor structures of the PCOC, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the factor structure, and the assessments of internal consistency and validity.
Results: The EFA identified a two-factor solution for the PCOC: Social and Psychological Consequences and Cognitive and Motivational Consequences. The CFA confirmed the validity of this factor structure with good model fit (χ2 = 321.33, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.038; SRMR = 0.048). Internal consistency coefficients for the PCOC subscales and total scale exceeded acceptable thresholds. A hierarchical regression model showed that both PCOC subscales were significantly associated with cannabis use frequency and quantity.
Discussion: The development and validation of the PCOC represent a significant advancement in assessing positive consequences in understanding cannabis use patterns, indicating that individuals who experience a range of positive effects are more likely to engage in more frequent and intense cannabis use.”
“Currently, few treatments are available for craving in general, and none of them have received approval for cannabis craving.
The objective of this review is to evaluate existing studies analysing treatments for cannabis craving and explore novel treatment possibilities for these patients.
The current pharmacological treatments largely involve off-label drug use and the utilisation of cannabinoid-based medications, such as combinations of THC and lofexidine, oxytocin, progesterone, and N-acetylcysteine.
These emerging treatments show promise and have the potential to revolutionise current clinical practices, but further investigation is needed to establish their efficacy.”
“Is Cannabis a boon or bane? Cannabis sativa has long been a versatile crop for fiber extraction (industrial hemp), traditional Chinese medicine (hemp seeds), and recreational drugs (marijuana).
Cannabis faced global prohibition in the twentieth century because of the psychoactive properties of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol; however, recently, the perspective has changed with the recognition of additional therapeutic values, particularly the pharmacological potential of cannabidiol.
A comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanism of cannabinoid biosynthesis is necessary to cultivate and promote globally the medicinal application of Cannabis resources. Here, we comprehensively review the historical usage of Cannabis, biosynthesis of trichome-specific cannabinoids, regulatory network of trichome development, and synthetic biology of cannabinoids.
This review provides valuable insights into the efficient biosynthesis and green production of cannabinoids, and the development and utilization of novel Cannabis varieties.”
“Historically, Cannabis use has encompassed various productive and religious purposes, playing a crucial role in diverse aspects of people’s lives.”
“Remarkable advancements in the cultivation of Cannabis plants with high-yielding cannabinoids and the reconstruction of cannabinoid production in microorganisms via metabolic engineering have been achieved.”
“In conclusion, Cannabis, an ancient medicinal plant with a longstanding history of global usage over millennia, can make a substantial transformative effect on human health in the future.”
Cannabinoids; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN), might show antibacterial activity. Trema orientalis is a species in the Cannabaceae that is closely related to Cannabis through plastome phylogenetic evidence. This species is widely distributed throughout tropical Asia and is used as traditional medicine, particularly for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, no studies on the antibacterial activity of cannabinoid-containing inflorescences extracts are available. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine cannabinoid content and antibacterial activity of inflorescences fractions from T. orientalis native to Thailand.
Methods
We hypothesized that inflorescences from T. orientalis might display cannabinoids similar to Cannabis because of their close taxonomic relationship. We extracted the mature inflorescences and infructescence of T. orientalis in three disparate populations from different Thailand floristic regions. Extractions were subsequently partitioned into hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions using distilled water and chloroform. The lipophilic extracts were further fractionated by the column chromatography with gradient elution and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Characterized cannabinoids were used in bioassays with multidrug-resistance bacteria.
Results
Lipophilic extracts and fractions of inflorescences from all Thailand floristic regions consistently displayed cannabinoids (THC, CBD and CBN) in various quantities. These extracts exhibited inhibitory activity for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii strains with minimum inhibitory concentration values varying from 31.25 to 125 µg/mL.
Conclusion
Our study is the first to report cannabinoid detection in extracts from inflorescences of T. orientalis, a species in the Cannabaceae. These extracts and their fractions containing cannabinoids showed pronounced antibacterial activity. The use of analytic methods also demonstrated reproducible cannabinoid extraction.”
“Trema orientalis is a pioneer species in the cannabis family (Cannabaceae) that is widely distributed in Thai community forests and forest edges. T. orientalis can serve as a source of non-toxic natural lipophilic compounds that can be useful as bioactive ingredients in supplement feed development.”
“Background: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cannabis and alcohol use and occurrence of motor vehicle collision (MVC) among patients in the emergency department (ED).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of visits to EDs in Denver, CO, Portland, OR, and Sacramento, CA by drivers who were involved in MVCs and presented with injuries (cases) and non-injured drivers (controls) who presented for medical care. We obtained blood samples and measured delta-9-THC and its metabolites. Alcohol levels were determined by breathalyzer or samples taken in the course of clinical care. Participants completed a research-assistant-administered interview consisting of questions about drug and alcohol use prior to their visit, context of use, and past-year drug and alcohol use. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the association between MVC and cannabis/alcohol use, adjusted for demographic characteristics. We then stratified participants based on levels of cannabis use and calculated the odds of MVC across these levels, first using self-report and then using blood levels for delta-9-THC in separate models. We conducted a case-crossover analysis, using 7-day look-back data to allow each participant to serve as their own control. Sensitivity analyses examined the influence of usual use patterns and driving in a closed (car, truck, van) versus open (motorcycle, motorbike, all-terrain vehicle) vehicle.
Results: Cannabis alone was not associated with higher odds of MVC, while acute alcohol use alone, and combined use of alcohol and cannabis were both independently associated with higher odds of MVC. Stratifying by level of self-reported or measured cannabis use, higher levels were not associated with higher odds for MVC, with or without co-use of alcohol; in fact, high self-reported acute cannabis use was associated with lower odds of MVC (odds ratio [OR] 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05-0.65). In the case-crossover analysis, alcohol use alone or in combination with cannabis was associated with higher odds of MVC, while cannabis use alone was again associated with decreased odds of MVC.
Conclusions: Alcohol use alone or in conjunction with cannabis was consistently associated with higer odds for MVC. However, the relationship between measured levels of cannabis and MVC was not as clear. Emphasis on actual driving behaviors and clinical signs of intoxication to determine driving under the influence has the strongest rationale.”
“The emergence of antibiotic resistance has brought a significant burden to public health. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of cannabidiol derivatives by biomimicking the structure and function of cationic antibacterial peptides.
This is the first report on the design of cannabidiol derivatives as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents.
Through the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, we found a lead compound 23 that killed both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria via a membrane-targeting mechanism of action with low resistance frequencies. Compound 23 also exhibited very weak hemolytic activity, low toxicity toward mammalian cells, and rapid bactericidal properties.
To further validate the membrane action mechanism of compound 23, we performed transcriptomic analysis using RNA-seq, which revealed that treatment with compound 23 altered many cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis-related genes in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. More importantly, compound 23 showed potent in vivo antibacterial efficacy in murine corneal infection models caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
These findings would provide a new design idea for the discovery of novel broad-spectrum antibacterial agents to overcome the antibiotic resistance crisis.”
“Natural compounds have been found as an important source of antibiotics. Cannabidiol (CBD), which is derived from the plant cannabis, has a variety of pharmacological activities, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, anti-cancer, antipsychotic, and antibacterial activities.”
“Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from Cannabis Sativa, has garnered increasing attention for its diverse therapeutic potential.
This comprehensive review delves into the complex pharmacokinetics of CBD, including factors such as bioavailability, distribution, safety profile, and dosage recommendations, which contribute to the compound’s pharmacological profile. CBD’s role as a pharmacological inhibitor is explored, encompassing interactions with the endocannabinoid system and ion channels.
The compound’s anti-inflammatory effects, influencing the Interferon-beta and NF-κB, position it as a versatile candidate for immune system regulation and interventions in inflammatory processes. The historical context of Cannabis Sativa’s use for recreational and medicinal purposes adds depth to the discussion, emphasizing CBD’s emergence as a pivotal phytocannabinoid.
As research continues, CBD’s integration into clinical practice holds promise for revolutionizing treatment approaches and enhancing patient outcomes. The evolution in CBD research encourages ongoing exploration, offering the prospect of unlocking new therapeutic utility.”
“CBD has demonstrated a wide range of potential therapeutic effects in both preclinical and clinical studies across various neurological, psychiatric, autoimmune, and cardiovascular disorders. The pharmacological inhibitory properties of CBD, combined with its anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant characteristics, make it a versatile compound with diverse applications.”
“Cannabis, renowned for its historical medicinal use, harbours various bioactive compounds-cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. While major cannabinoids like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have received extensive scrutiny for their pharmacological properties, emerging evidence underscores the collaborative interactions among these constituents, suggesting a collective therapeutic potential.
This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationships and synergies between cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis. Cannabinoids, pivotal in cannabis’s bioactivity, exhibit well-documented analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Terpenes, aromatic compounds imbuing distinct flavours, not only contribute to cannabis’s sensory profile but also modulate cannabinoid effects through diverse molecular mechanisms. Flavonoids, another cannabis component, demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, particularly relevant to neuroinflammation.
The entourage hypothesis posits that combined cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid action yields synergistic or additive effects, surpassing individual compound efficacy. Recognizing the nuanced interactions is crucial for unravelling cannabis’s complete therapeutic potential. Tailoring treatments based on the holistic composition of cannabis strains allows optimization of therapeutic outcomes while minimizing potential side effects.
This review underscores the imperative to delve into the intricate roles of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, offering promising prospects for innovative therapeutic interventions and advocating continued research to unlock cannabis’s full therapeutic potential within the realm of natural plant-based medicine.”
“β-Caryophyllene (BCP), a bicyclic sesquiterpene that is a component of the essential oils of various spice and food plants, has been described as a selective CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist. In the present study, the effect of BCP on angiogenesis was investigated.
It was found that conditioned media (CM) from BCP-treated hypoxic A549 lung cancer cells exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation induced by CM from vehicle-treated hypoxic A549 cells. There was an associated concentration-dependent decrease in the proangiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the CM, with both BCP inhibitory effects (tube formation, VEGF secretion) being CB2 receptor-dependent. A reduction of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) was furthermore detected.
The antiangiogenic and VEGF-lowering properties of BCP were confirmed when CM from another lung cancer cell line, H358, were tested. When directly exposed to HUVECs, BCP showed no significant effect on tube formation, but at 10 µM, impaired VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) phosphorylation triggered by recombinant VEGF in a CB2 receptor-independent manner. In summary, BCP has a dual antiangiogenic effect on HUVECs, manifested in the inhibition of tube formation through modulation of the tumor cell secretome and additionally in the inhibition of VEGF-induced VEGFR2 activation. Because the CB2 agonist has no psychoactive properties, BCP should continue to be evaluated preclinically for further antitumor effects.”
“β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a common constitute of the essential oils of numerous spice, food plants and major component in Cannabis.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23138934
