The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol alone and in combination on damage, inflammation and in vitro motility disturbances in rat colitis

Posted on January 27, 2015 by David

“Cannabis is taken as self-medication by patients with inflammatory bowel disease for symptomatic relief.

Cannabinoid receptor agonists decrease inflammation in animal models of colitis, but their effects on the disturbed motility is not known. (-)-Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to interact with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in behavioural studies, but it remains to be established if these cannabinoids interact in vivo in inflammatory disorders.

Therefore the effects of CBD and THC alone and in combination were investigated in a model of colitis…

In this model of colitis, THC and CBD not only reduced inflammation but also lowered the occurrence of functional disturbances. Moreover the combination of CBD and THC could be beneficial therapeutically, via additive or potentiating effects.

As the two phytocannabinoids modulate the immune system and differ in their pharmacological profile, their combination could be more beneficial than either drug alone. Additionally CBD could not only potentiate the therapeutic effects of THC, but also attenuate some of its undesirable effects…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931570/

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

Cannabinoid Signaling and Neuroinflammatory Diseases: A Melting pot for the Regulation of Brain Immune Responses.

Posted on January 21, 2015 by David

“The concept of the central nervous system (CNS) as an immune-privileged site, essentially due to the presence of the blood brain barrier, appears to be overly simplistic. Indeed, within healthy CNS immune activities are permitted and are required for neuronal function and host defense, not only due to the presence of the resident innate immune cells of the brain, but also by virtue of a complex cross-talk of the CNS with peripheral immune cells.

Nonetheless, long-standing and persisting neuroinflammatory responses are most often detrimental and characterize several neuroinflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A growing body of evidence suggests that Cannabis sativa-derived phytocannabinoids, as well as synthetic cannabinoids, are endowed with significant immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, both in peripheral tissues and in the CNS, through the activation of cannabinoid receptors.

In this review, the immunomodulatory effects of cannabinoid signaling on the most relevant brain immune cells will be discussed. In addition, the impact of cannabinoid regulation on the overall integration of the manifold brain immune responses will also be highlighted, along with the implication of these compounds as potential agents for the management of neuroinflammatory disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25601726

Phytocannabinoids and epilepsy.

Posted on December 6, 2014 by David

“Antiepileptic drugs often produce serious adverse effects, and many patients do not respond to them properly.

Phytocannabinoids produce anticonvulsant effects in preclinical and preliminary human studies, and appear to produce fewer adverse effects than available antiepileptic drugs.

The present review summarizes studies on the anticonvulsant properties of phytocannabinoids.

Preclinical studies suggest that phytocannabinoids, especially cannabidiol and cannabidivarin, have potent anticonvulsant effects which are mediated by the endocannabinoid system. Human studies are limited in number and quality, but suggest that cannabidiol has anticonvulsant effects in adult and infantile epilepsy and is well tolerated after prolonged administration…

Phytocannabinoids produce anticonvulsant effects through the endocannabinoid system, with few adverse effects.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25475762

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/

Neuroprotective Properties of Cannabigerol in Huntington’s Disease: Studies in R6/2 Mice and 3-Nitropropionate-lesioned Mice.

Posted on September 26, 2014 by David

“Different plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids have shown to be neuroprotective in experimental models of Huntington’s disease (HD) through cannabinoid receptor-dependent and/or independent mechanisms.

Herein, we studied the effects of cannabigerol (CBG), a nonpsychotropic phytocannabinoid, in 2 different in vivo models of HD.

CBG was extremely active as neuroprotectant in mice intoxicated with 3-nitropropionate (3NP), improving motor deficits and preserving striatal neurons against 3NP toxicity.

In addition, CBG attenuated the reactive microgliosis and the upregulation of proinflammatory markers induced by 3NP, and improved the levels of antioxidant defenses that were also significantly reduced by 3NP.

We also investigated the neuroprotective properties of CBG in R6/2 mice. Treatment with this phytocannabinoid produced a much lower, but significant, recovery in the deteriorated rotarod performance typical of R6/2 mice.

Using HD array analysis, we were able to identify a series of genes linked to this disease (e.g., symplekin, Sin3a, Rcor1, histone deacetylase 2, huntingtin-associated protein 1, δ subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A receptor (GABA-A), and hippocalcin), whose expression was altered in R6/2 mice but partially normalized by CBG treatment.

We also observed a modest improvement in the gene expression for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), which is altered in these mice, as well as a small, but significant, reduction in the aggregation of mutant huntingtin in the striatal parenchyma in CBG-treated animals.

In conclusion, our results open new research avenues for the use of CBG, alone or in combination with other phytocannabinoids or therapies, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as HD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25252936

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

Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes

Posted on July 27, 2014 by David

CBD prevents excessive lipogenesis induced by “pro-acne agents&#x...

“Acne vulgaris is the most common human skin disease, affecting quality of life of millions worldwide…

Investigation of the cutaneous cannabinoid system seems to be a promising choice when searching for novel therapeutic possibilities…

“Collectively, our findings suggest that, due to the combined lipostatic, antiproliferative, and antiinflammatory effects, CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris…

These data, together with our current findings, point to a promising, cost-effective, and, likely, well-tolerated new strategy for treating acne vulgaris, the most common human skin disease…

…given the extensively documented accumulation of phytocannabinoids from smoked marijuana in the pilosebaceous unit (where they become incorporated into the hair shaft), it is very likely that CBD can reach the sebaceous glands as well, can accumulate, and may well reach “therapeutically sufficient” concentrations there.

Moreover, it is very important to note that, besides the systemic application, one should keep in mind the possibility of the topical administration.”

http://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628

“Schematic overview of the cellular “anti-acne trinity” of CBD and its proposed mechanism of action.”

Schematic overview of the cellular “anti-acne trinity” of ...

Cannabinoids Can Limit Neurological Stroke Damage

Posted on June 24, 2014 by David

“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.”

http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2013/12/cannabinoids-can-limit-neurological-stroke-damage

Compounds in cannabis could limit stroke damage

Posted on June 24, 2014 by David

A cannabis plant

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

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2013/december/compounds-in-cannabis-could-limit-stroke-damage.aspx

Marijuana & Stroke: Pot Compounds Protect Brain, New Meta-Study Shows

Posted on June 24, 2014 by David

“Cannabinoids, chemicals related to those found in cannabis could be effective in restoring neurological function by shrinking the area of the brain affected by stroke, according to a new study led by Dr. Tim England, Honorary Consultant Stroke Physician at the University of Nottingham and Royal Derby Hospital.

Stroke, a leading cause of adult disability in the UK leaves over half of all survivors dependent on others for life. Over one million people are living with the effects of stroke and it is reported that in the UK alone, over 150,000 people have a stroke every year. Finding new treatments to help survivors recover quickly has never been more important.

The authors examined 94 studies evaluating the effects of cannabinoids on 1022 mice, monkeys, and male rats. Cannabinoids can be classified into endocannabinoids that occur naturally in the body, phytocannabinoids that are obtained from plant extracts, and synthetic cannabinoids.

A meta-analysis of experimental studies conducted by the researchers at the University of Nottingham identifies the potential of all three categories of these compounds potential to reduce brain damage caused by stroke and help improve brain function after an attack.

The U.S. government sought a patent in 2001 for the naturally occuring marijuana molecule, cannabidiol, for use as a brain protector during stroke. ”

http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2013/12/11/marijuana-stroke-pot-compounds-protect-brain-new-meta-study-shows/

Activation of cannabinoid 2 receptors protects against cerebral ischemia by inhibiting neutrophil recruitment

Posted on June 24, 2014 by David

Figure 1.

“THE CONSEQUENCES OF ISCHEMIC INJURY in liver, heart, and brain can be ameliorated by cannabinoids, a group of diverse compounds that include constituents of the plant Cannabis sativa (phytocannabinoids), endogenous lipids (endocannabinoids), and synthetic substances. Most of the effects of cannabinoids are mediated by the G-protein-coupled receptors cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB₁) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB_2)…

Cannabinoids protect against ischemic stroke…

Activation of the cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB₂) reduces ischemic injury in several organs…

In conclusion, our data demonstrate that by activating p38 in neutrophils, CB₂ agonists inhibit neutrophil recruitment to the brain and protect against ischemic brain injury.”

http://www.fasebj.org/content/24/3/788.long

Cannabis compounds may limit stroke damage

Posted on June 24, 2014 by David

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

The findings showed that the compounds could reduce the size of stroke and improve neurological function.

http://healthmedicinet.com/i/cannabis-compounds-may-limit-stroke-damage/