Cannabidivarin-rich cannabis extracts are anticonvulsant in mouse and rat via a CB1 receptor-independent mechanism.

“Epilepsy is the most prevalent neurological disease and is characterised by recurrent seizures. Here we investigate: (i) the anticonvulsant profiles of cannabis-derived botanical drug substances (BDS) rich in cannabidivarin (CBDV) and containing cannabidiol (CBD) in acute in vivo seizure models and (ii) the binding of CBDV BDSs and their components at cannabinoid CB1 receptors.

CDBV BDSs exerted significant anticonvulsant effects… 

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:

CBDV BDSs exerted significant anticonvulsant effects in three models of seizure that were not mediated by the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, and were of comparable efficacy to purified CBDV.

These findings strongly support the further clinical development of CBDV BDSs for treatment of epilepsy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23902406

“Cannabidivarin is anticonvulsant in mouse and rat… These results indicate that CBDV is an effective anticonvulsant in a broad range of seizure models.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22970845

Cannabis says success in 4th brand new self-administering cancer patient

“Cannabis Science Inc., a pioneering US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana) products, has introduced 4th cancer patient with basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) on his left nostril, who is self-administering a topical cannabis extract and having noticeable results.

Cannabis Science has received images and documented information from this 4th patient who has basal cell carcinoma on his left nostril. The patient is enrolled in a photographic mole-mapping programme at the University of Colorado Hospital and is examined annually. The last time he was examined was in October of 2011, where his doctors found a small bump on his left nostril that was less and 1/8″ in diameter, and believed it to be basal cell carcinoma. At that time it was too early to be certain if it was in-fact basal cell carcinoma.

By January 2012 the small bump on his left nostril had grown slightly and had developed a rough scaly texture similar to his previous episodes of basal cell carcinoma. The patient began self-administering cannabis extract oil (CT-1) topically to the spot on his left nostril in the middle of January. The patient immediately reported minor irritation of the spot but that the surrounding healthy skin was not irritated. The rough scaly texture and the minor irritation disappeared by day four of treatment and by day nine of treatment the bump had shrunk considerably and was almost imperceptible to the touch. In these three images you can notice a significant reduction in the lesion.

This patient has a history of having five different episodes of basal cell carcinoma starting at the age of 27, and had one malignant melanoma at age 35. He is now 46, and has suffered from numerous severe sunburns which caused blistering and peeling. This patient was diagnosed with dysplastic nevus syndrome (over 100 atypical moles) and has been told that he is certain to have additional melanomas at some point in the future. Doctors have already confirmed that he has had basal cell carcinoma on his right jaw line, which resulted to Mohs procedure that was performed in December of 2011.

Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of pharmaceutical grade medical marijuana research and development. The second formulations will address the needs of patients choosing to use concentrated cannabis extracts to treat their ailments.

 Eventually, all Americans will have access to a safe and effective FDA approved medicine regardless of which state they live in.”

http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=67354&sid=2 

More Cannabis Science Brand Extracts Successful Cancer Treatments Confirmed As Self Medicating Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patient Reports Continued Shrinking of Cancer Tumor

“Cannabis Science, Inc…The Company is very pleased to report the continuing successful progress by patient who has been topically self-administering Cannabis Science extracts for Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cancer.”

More: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120103006077/en/Cannabis-Science-Brand-Extracts-Successful-Cancer-Treatments

Cannabis Science Extracts Kill Cancer Cells In Cancer Patients Being Treated

“Cannabis Science Extracts Kill Cancer Cells In Cancer Patients Being Treated Through Its Licensed Distributor Rockbrook

 Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCBB: CBIS) a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana derivative) products, is pleased to announce that numerous patients are reporting that Cannabis Science extract treatments are killing cancer cells.

Unlike most conventional cancer treatments, cannabis has an outstanding safety profile, and patients in states with medical marijuana laws are able to make an informed decision to legally try various cannabis preparations to determine what is most effective for their particular condition.

Some of these scientifically informed patients have chosen to self-administer Cannabis Science extracts supplied by Rockbrook to treat their own cancers.

 Cannabis Science is delighted that patients are reporting dramatic improvements in their conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer accompanied by COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), ovarian cancer, and glioma.”

More: http://www.oncologyjournal.org/blogs/admin/2956-cannabis-science-extracts-kill-cancer-cells-cancer-patients-being-treated.html

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110222007195/en/Cannabis-Science-Extracts-Kill-Cancer-Cells-Cancer#.VNEXMNX3-iw

A tale of two cannabinoids: the therapeutic rationale for combining tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.

“This study examines the current knowledge of physiological and clinical effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and presents a rationale for their combination in pharmaceutical preparations. Cannabinoid and vanilloid receptor effects as well as non-receptor mechanisms are explored, such as the capability of THC and CBD to act as anti-inflammatory substances independent of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibition.

CBD is demonstrated to antagonise some undesirable effects of THC including intoxication, sedation and tachycardia, while contributing analgesic, anti-emetic, and anti-carcinogenic properties in its own right.

In modern clinical trials, this has permitted the administration of higher doses of THC, providing evidence for clinical efficacy and safety for cannabis based extracts in treatment of spasticity, central pain and lower urinary tract symptoms in multiple sclerosis, as well as sleep disturbances, peripheral neuropathic pain, brachial plexus avulsion symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis and intractable cancer pain. Prospects for future application of whole cannabis extracts in neuroprotection, drug dependency, and neoplastic disorders are further examined.

The hypothesis that the combination of THC and CBD increases clinical efficacy while reducing adverse events is supported.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16209908

Efficacy of two cannabis based medicinal extracts for relief of central neuropathic pain from brachial plexus avulsion: results of a randomised controlled trial.

“The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of cannabis-based medicines for treatment of chronic pain associated with brachial plexus root avulsion…”

 “The primary outcome measure was the mean pain severity score during the last 7 days of treatment. Secondary outcome measures included pain related quality of life assessments. The primary outcome measure failed to fall by the two points defined in our hypothesis. However, both this measure and measures of sleep showed statistically significant improvements. The study medications were generally well tolerated with the majority of adverse events, including intoxication type reactions, being mild to moderate in severity and resolving spontaneously…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15561385

Medicinal cannabis extracts for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

“Prior to 2002, few clinical data were available to indicate whether cannabis extracts may be beneficial. However, in the last two years, results of several placebo-controlled clinical trials of orally administered compounds have been published, and these cast doubt on the efficacy of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) in objectively reducing spasticity in MS. By contrast, it has been claimed that sublingually administered cannabis extracts that contain approximately equal concentrations of delta9-THC and cannabidiol, a natural cannabinoid that does not act on the CB1 receptor, can produce a statistically and clinically significant reduction in spasticity, although this claim has yet to be thoroughly validated. Nonetheless, results of preclinical trials also lend support to the hypothesis that the endogenous cannabinoid system may be involved in the regulation of spasticity and pain. A better indication of the clinical potential of the different cannabis extracts will have to await the publication of the most recent clinical trial data. This review critically evaluates the most recent evidence available on the potential use of medicinal extracts of cannabis to relieve pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15298068

A preliminary controlled study to determine whether whole-plant cannabis extracts can improve intractable neurogenic symptoms.

“OBJECTIVES:

To determine whether plant-derived cannabis medicinal extracts (CME) can alleviate neurogenic symptoms unresponsive to standard treatment, and to quantify adverse effects.

SUBJECTS:

Twenty-four patients with multiple sclerosis (18), spinal cord injury (4), brachial plexus damage (1), and limb amputation due to neurofibromatosis (1).

INTERVENTION:

Whole-plant extracts of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), 1:1 CBD:THC, or matched placebo were self-administered by sublingual spray at doses determined by titration against symptom relief or unwanted effects within the range of 2.5-120 mg/24 hours. Measures used: Patients recorded symptom, well-being and intoxication scores on a daily basis using visual analogue scales. At the end of each two-week period an observer rated severity and frequency of symptoms on numerical rating scales, administered standard measures of disability (Barthel Index), mood and cognition, and recorded adverse events.

RESULTS:

Pain relief associated with both THC and CBD was significantly superior to placebo. Impaired bladder control, muscle spasms and spasticity were improved by CME in some patients with these symptoms. Three patients had transient hypotension and intoxication with rapid initial dosing of THC-containing CME.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cannabis medicinal extracts can improve neurogenic symptoms unresponsive to standard treatments. Unwanted effects are predictable and generally well tolerated. Larger scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12617376

Whole plant cannabis extracts in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

“Spasticity, an involuntary increase in muscle tone or rapid muscle contractions, is one of the more common and distressing symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Medicinal treatment may reduce spasticity, but may also be ineffective, difficult to obtain, or associated with intolerable side effects. Cannabis, a psychotropic drug known for its analgesic properties, also has a long history as an effective and tolerable treatment for spasticity]. Demographic evidence has shown that many people with MS use cannabis for symptom management.

Clinical studies, animal models, and anecdotal reports have suggested that cannabis may be an effective treatment of MS spasticity. The antispastic effect of cannabis has been supported through a demonstration of the inhibitory properties in exogenous agonists for cannabis receptors found in the CNS. Early clinical trials reporting the efficacy and safety of cannabis use in MS have focused on the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although these clinical studies reported a therapeutic benefit for MS symptoms, there were concerns of potential intoxication and other side effects of cannabis-based treatment. Another clinical study using a cannabidiol (CBD) extract documented a reduction in spasticity-related pain but not in spasticity..

More recent combination therapies using whole plant extracts of both THC and CBD have been introduced and there is evidence that CBD, which is not psychotropic, may reduce THC levels in the brain and attenuate its psychotropic side effects. Such therapies may potentially provide a tolerable yet effective treatment for MS symptoms. A number of recent studies have investigated the potential efficacy and safety of whole plant extracts of THC and CBD. One of the first large-scale studies of cannabis treatment for MS-related spasticity compared whole plant cannabis extracts with THC and a placebo, and found mixed evidence for the therapeutic benefit of spasticity in MS. A recent review that included a number of these recent studies provided additional support for the benefit of cannabinoids in MS-related spasticity but called for further study into long-term treatment and side effects. A systematic evaluation of recent research had not previously been conducted, and was needed in order to provide organized evidence of cannabinoid treatments and direction for future clinical studies. We therefore systematically reviewed studies that used a combination extract of THC and CBD for the treatment of spasticity.

We found evidence that combined THC and CBD extracts may provide therapeutic benefit for MS spasticity symptoms…

Finally, there is evidence that cannabinoids may provide neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits in MS. Neuroinflammation, found in autoimmune diseases such as MS, has been shown to be reduced by cannabinoids through the regulation of cytokine levels in microglial cells. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in MS is therefore comprehensive and should be given considerable attention.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793241/