Attenuation of kainic acid-induced status epilepticus by inhibition of endocannabinoid transport and degradation in guinea pigs.

Posted on March 15, 2015 by David

“Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency associated with a high rate of mortality if not treated promptly.

Exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids have been shown to possess anticonvulsant properties both in vivo and in vitro.

Here we study the influence of endocannabinoid metabolism on the development of kainic acid-induced SE in guinea pigs.

The present study provides electrophysiologic and behavioral evidences that inhibition of endocannabinoid metabolism plays a protective role against kainic acid-induced SE and may be employed for therapeutic purposes.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25769371

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

Protective Role of CB2 Receptor Activation in Galactosamine/LPS-induced Acute Liver Failure Through Regulation of Macrophage Polarization and miRNAs.

Posted on March 11, 2015 by David

“Acute liver failure (ALF) is a potentially life threatening disorder without any effective treatment strategies. D-Galactosamine/LPS (GalN/LPS)-induced ALF is a widely used animal model to identify novel hepato-protective agents.

In the present study, we investigated the potential of a Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist, in the amelioration of GalN/LPS induced ALF…

Together, these data demonstrate for the first time that CB2 activation attenuates GalN/LPS-induced ALF by inducing an M1 to M2 shift in macrophages and by regulating the expression of unique miRs that target key molecules involved in TLR4 pathway.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25749929

Protective effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol against N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced AF5 cell death.

Posted on February 25, 2015 by David

Image result for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

“One of the most promising potential medical applications of cannabinoids involves their ability to protect cells from a variety of toxic events.

Cannabinoids have been reported to protect neurons from death…

Cannabinoids, such as the pharmacologically active component of marijuana (-)Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)…

The neuroprotective effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were examined…

Protective effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol… THC may function as an antioxidant to increase cell survival…

THC can produce receptor-independent neuroprotective or cellular protective effects at micromolar concentrations as a result of its antioxidant properties…

In conclusion, THC produces a potent neuroprotective effect…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1824211/

Protective and therapeutic effects of cannabis plant extract on liver cancer induced by dimethylnitrosamine in mice

Posted on February 17, 2015 by David

Cover image

“Hepatocellular carcinomas will emerge as a major form of malignancy in the coming decades.

When these tumors are in advanced stages, few therapeutic options are available.

Therefore, it is essential to search for new treatment modalities to fight this disease.

Aim

Evaluate the possible protective and therapeutic effects of Cannabis extract on dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA)-induced hepatocarcinogenicity in mice.

Conclusion

The protective effect of cannabis extract is more pronounced in group taking cannabis before DMNA.

Cannabinoids might exert their anti-tumor effects by the direct induction of apoptosis and can decrease telomerase activity by inhibiting the expression of the TERT gene…”

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209050681400027X

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/liver-cancer-2/

Proapoptotic effect of endocannabinoids in prostate cancer cells.

Posted on January 22, 2015 by David

“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/

Cannabinoid receptor type 2 activation in atherosclerosis and acute cardiovascular diseases.

Posted on September 24, 2014 by David

“In the last decades, the cannabinoid system (comprising synthetic and endogenous cannabinoid agonists and antagonists, their receptors and degrading enzymes) has been shown to induce potent immunomodulatory activities in atherogenesis and acute ischemic complications.

Differently from the other cannabinoid receptors in which controversial results are reported, the selective activation of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) has been shown to play anti-inflammatory and protective actions within atherosclerotic vessels and downstream ischemic peripheral organs.

CB2 is a transmembrane receptor that triggers protective intracellular pathways in cardiac, immune and vascular cells in both in human and animal models of atherosclerosis…

medications activating CB2 function in the circulation or peripheral target organs might be a promising approach against atherogenesis.

This review updates evidence from preclinical studies on different CB2-triggered pathways in atherosclerosis and acute ischemic events.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25245379

Oxidative stress and cannabinoid receptor expression in type-2 diabetic rat pancreas following treatment with Δ9 -THC.

Posted on September 5, 2014 by David

“We can suggest that Δ9 -THC may be an important agent for the treatment of oxidative damages induced by diabetes…

Furthermore, the present study for the first time emphasizes that Δ9 -THC may improve pancreatic cells via cannabinoid receptors in diabetes.

The aim of present study was to elucidate the effects of Δ9 -THC, a natural cannabinoid receptor agonist, on the expression and localization of cannabinoid receptors, and oxidative stress statue in type-2 diabetic rat pancreas.

Results demonstrate that the cannabinoid receptors are presented in both Langerhans islets and duct regions.

The curative effects of Δ9 -THC can be occurred via activation of cannabinoid receptors in diabetic rat pancreas.

Moreover, it may provide a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by diabetes.

Thus, it is suggested that Δ9 -THC can be a candidate for therapeutic alternatives of diabetes symptoms.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25187240

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

Protective role of cannabinoid receptor type 2 in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

Posted on June 9, 2014 by David

“The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) has protective effects in chronic degenerative diseases. Our aim was to assess the potential relevance of the CB2 receptor in both human and experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN)…

The CB2 receptor is expressed by podocytes, and in experimental diabetes, CB2 beneficialactivation ameliorates both albuminuria and podocyte protein loss, suggesting a protective effect of signaling through CB2 in DN.

In conclusion, our findings may have important implications for DN. The beneficial effect… makes CB2 agonism an attractive new strategy for the treatment of DN. CB2 activation may also positively affect other diabetes-related complications as CB2 agonists may, under certain conditions, delay progression of atherosclerotic lesions and ameliorate diabetes-induced neuropathic pain…

Our study may thus pave the way for future clinical trials on CB2 agonists in humans.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3161308/

Protective Effects of Cannabidiol Against Hippocampal Cell Death and Cognitive Impairment Induced by Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in Mice.

Posted on February 18, 2014 by David

“The present study investigated whether cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychoactive constituent of marijuana, protects against hippocampal neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits induced by brain ischemia in adult mice…

These findings suggest a protective effect of CBD on neuronal death induced by ischemia and indicate that CBD might exert beneficial therapeutic effects in brain ischemia. The mechanisms that underlie the neuroprotective effects of CBD in BCCAO mice might involve the inhibition of reactive astrogliosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24532152

Unique effects of compounds active at both cannabinoid and serotonin receptors during stroke.

Posted on December 11, 2013 by David

“We reported previously that both a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) agonist and a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonist were protective in the treatment of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury (MCAO/R) and that they acted in a synergistic manner when administered in combination. The goal of the current study was to determine which of the potential cannabinoid receptors participate in the protective effects of this drug combination in a mouse model of MCAO/R.

The effects of administration of the CB2R agonist/CB1R antagonist combination on infarct size and cerebral blood flow during a 1-h occlusion were tested…

In conclusion, administration of the CB2R agonist/CB1R antagonist combination causes a significant reduction in infarct size in the MCAO/R model. The protective effect involves both the CB2R and the 5-HT1A receptor. Neither the CB1R nor the TRPV1 receptors appear to participate in this response.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24323810