Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Glycemic and Lipid Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Pilot Study.

Posted on August 31, 2016 by David

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“Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) are nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoids affecting lipid and glucose metabolism in animal models. This study set out to examine the effects of these compounds in patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS:

Compared with placebo, THCV significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (estimated treatment difference [ETD] = -1.2 mmol/L; P < 0.05) and improved pancreatic β-cell function (HOMA2 β-cell function [ETD = -44.51 points; P < 0.01]), adiponectin (ETD = -5.9 × 10⁶ pg/mL; P < 0.01), and apolipoprotein A (ETD = -6.02 μmol/L; P < 0.05), although plasma HDL was unaffected. Compared with baseline (but not placebo), CBD decreased resistin (-898 pg/ml; P < 0.05) and increased glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (21.9 pg/ml; P < 0.05). None of the combination treatments had a significant impact on end points. CBD and THCV were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS:

THCV could represent a new therapeutic agent in glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27573936

Pure Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin and a Cannabis sativa extract with high content in Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin inhibit nitrite production in murine peritoneal macrophages.

Posted on August 9, 2016 by David

“Historical and scientific evidence suggests that Cannabis use has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

We have here investigated the effect of the non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and of a Cannabis sativa extract with high (64.8%) content in THCV (THCV-BDS) on nitric oxide (NO) production, and on cannabinoid and transient receptor potential (TRP) channel expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages.

THCV-BDS and THCV exhibited similar affinity in radioligand binding assays for CB₁ and CB₂ receptors, and inhibited, via CB₂ but not CB₁ cannabinoid receptors, nitrite production evoked by LPS in peritoneal macrophages.

THCV down-regulated the over-expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) proteins induced by LPS.

Furthermore, THCV counteracted LPS-induced up-regulation of CB₁ receptors, without affecting the changes in CB₂, TRPV2 or TRPV4 mRNA expression caused by LPS. Other TRP channels, namely, TRPA1, TRPV1, TRPV3 and TRPM8 were poorly expressed or undetectable in both unstimulated and LPS-challenged macrophages.

It is concluded that THCV – via CB₂ receptor activation – inhibits nitrite production in macrophages. The effect of this phytocannabinoid was associated with a down-regulation of CB₁, but not CB₂ or TRP channel mRNA expression.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27498155

Modulation of L-α-lysophosphatidylinositol/GPR55 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling by cannabinoids.

Posted on August 5, 2016 by David

“This study has implications for developing new therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, pain, and metabolic disorders.

GPR55 is activated by l-α-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) but also by certain cannabinoids.

In this study, we investigated the GPR55 pharmacology of various cannabinoids, including analogues of the CB1 receptor antagonist Rimonabant®, CB2 receptor agonists, and Cannabis sativa constituents.

Here, we show that CB1 receptor antagonists can act both as agonists alone and as inhibitors of LPI signaling under the same assay conditions. This study clarifies the controversy surrounding the GPR55-mediated actions of SR141716A; some reports indicate the compound to be an agonist and some report antagonism. In contrast, we report that the CB2 ligand GW405833 behaves as a partial agonist of GPR55 alone and enhances LPI signaling. GPR55 has been implicated in pain transmission, and thus our results suggest that this receptor may be responsible for some of the antinociceptive actions of certain CB2 receptor ligands.

Here, we report that the little investigated cannabis constituents CBDV, CBGA, and CBGV are potent inhibitors of LPI-induced GPR55 signaling.

The phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin, cannabidivarin, and cannabigerovarin are also potent inhibitors of LPI.

Our findings also suggest that GPR55 may be a new pharmacological target for the following C. sativa constituents: Δ⁹-THCV, CBDV, CBGA, and CBGV.

These Cannabis sativa constituents may represent novel therapeutics targeting GPR55.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249141/

“Lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) is a bioactive lipid generated by phospholipase A2 which is believed to play an important role in several diseases.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22285325

“The putative cannabinoid receptor GPR55 promotes cancer cell proliferation. In this issue of Oncogene, two groups demonstrated that GPR55 is expressed in various cancer types in an aggressiveness-related manner, suggesting a novel cancer biomarker and a potential therapeutic target.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21057532

“The orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR55 promotes cancer cell proliferation via ERK. These findings reveal the importance of GPR55 in human cancer, and suggest that it could constitute a new biomarker and therapeutic target in oncology.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20818416

“The putative cannabinoid receptor GPR55 defines a novel autocrine loop in cancer cell proliferation. These findings may have important implications for LPI as a novel cancer biomarker and for its receptor GPR55 as a potential therapeutic target.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20838378

“L-α-lysophosphatidylinositol meets GPR55: a deadly relationship. Evidence points to a role of L-α-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) in cancer.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21367464

Plasma and brain pharmacokinetic profile of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarine (CBDV), Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG) in rats and mice following oral and intraperitoneal administration and CBD action on obsessive-compulsive behaviour.

Posted on July 31, 2016 by David

Psychopharmacology

“Phytocannabinoids are useful therapeutics for multiple applications including treatments of constipation, malaria, rheumatism, alleviation of intraocular pressure, emesis, anxiety and some neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.

Consistent with these medicinal properties, extracted cannabinoids have recently gained much interest in research, and some are currently in advanced stages of clinical testing.

Other constituents of Cannabis sativa, the hemp plant, however, remain relatively unexplored in vivo. These include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarine (CBDV), Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ(9)-THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG).

RESULTS:

All phytocannabinoids readily penetrated the blood-brain barrier and solutol, despite producing moderate behavioural anomalies, led to higher brain penetration than cremophor after oral, but not intraperitoneal exposure. In mice, cremophor-based intraperitoneal administration always attained higher plasma and brain concentrations, independent of substance given. In rats, oral administration offered higher brain concentrations for CBD (120 mg/kg) and CBDV (60 mg/kg), but not for Δ(9)-THCV (30 mg/kg) and CBG (120 mg/kg), for which the intraperitoneal route was more effective. CBD inhibited obsessive-compulsive behaviour in a time-dependent manner matching its pharmacokinetic profile.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data provide important information on the brain and plasma exposure of new phytocannabinoids and guidance for the most efficacious administration route and time points for determination of drug effects under in vivo conditions.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21796370

The phytocannabinoid, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin, can act through 5-HT₁A receptors to produce antipsychotic effects.

Posted on October 7, 2015 by David

“This study aimed to address the questions of whether Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) can (i) enhance activation of 5-HT1 A receptors in vitro and (ii) induce any apparent 5-HT₁A receptor-mediated antipsychotic effects in vivo…

Our findings suggest that THCV can enhance 5-HT₁A receptor activation, and that some of its apparent antipsychotic effects may depend on this enhancement.

We conclude that THCV has therapeutic potential for ameliorating some of the negative, cognitive and positive symptoms of schizophrenia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25363799

The endocannabinoid system and plant-derived cannabinoids in diabetes and diabetic complications.

Posted on April 23, 2015 by David

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“Oxidative stress and inflammation play critical roles in the development of diabetes and its complications.

Recent studies provided compelling evidence that the newly discovered lipid signaling system (ie, the endocannabinoid system) may significantly influence reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, and subsequent tissue injury, in addition to its well-known metabolic effects and functions.

The modulation of the activity of this system holds tremendous therapeutic potential in a wide range of diseases, ranging from cancer, pain, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases to obesity and metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and diabetic complications.

This review focuses on the role of the endocannabinoid system in primary diabetes and its effects on various diabetic complications, such as diabetic cardiovascular dysfunction, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy, particularly highlighting the mechanisms beyond the metabolic consequences of the activation of the endocannabinoid system.

The therapeutic potential of targeting the endocannabinoid system and certain plant-derived cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin, which are devoid of psychotropic effects and possess potent anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant properties, in diabetes and diabetic complications is also discussed.

Although there is much controversy in the field of EC research, experimental evidence and clinical trials have clearly shown that ECS plays a key role in the development of primary diabetes and various diabetic complications. Although inhibition of CB1 receptors has proven to be effective in clinical trials of obesity and metabolic syndrome, this approach has ultimately failed because of increasing patient anxiety. However, recent preclinical studies clearly showed that peripherally restricted CB1 antagonists may represent a viable therapeutic strategy to avoid the previously mentioned adverse effects.

Importantly, CB1 inhibition, as discussed in this review, may also directly attenuate inflammatory responses and ROS and reactive nitrogen species generation in endothelial, immune, and other cell types, as well as in target tissues of diabetic complications, far beyond its known beneficial metabolic consequences. The main effects of CB1 receptor activation on the development of diabetes and diabetic complications are summarized in Figure 1. CB2 agonists may exert beneficial effects on diabetes and diabetic complications by attenuating inflammatory response and ensuing oxidative stress (Figure 2).

Natural cannabinoids, such as CBD and THCV, also have tremendous therapeutic potential.

CBD is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that does not appear to exert its beneficial effects through conventional CB receptors and is already approved for human use.

THCV and its derivatives, which may combine the beneficial effects of simultaneous CB1 inhibition and CB2 stimulation, are still under intense preclinical investigation. It will be interesting to see how newly developed, peripherally restricted CB1 receptor antagonists and/or CB2 receptor agonists and certain natural cannabinoids, such as CBD and THCV, will influence the clinical outcomes of diabetic patients.

We hope that some of these new approaches will be useful in clinical practice in the near future to aid patients with diabetes.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3349875/

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

Two non-psychoactive cannabinoids reduce intra-cellular lipid levels and inhibit hepatosteatosis.

Posted on January 18, 2015 by David

“Obesity and associated metabolic syndrome have quickly become a pandemic and a major detriment to human health globally.

The presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; hepatosteatosis) in obesity has been linked to the worsening of the metabolic syndrome, including the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Currently, there are few options to treat NAFLD, including life style changes and insulin sensitizers.

Recent evidence suggests that the cannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabidiol (CBD) improve insulin sensitivity; we aimed at studying their effects on lipid levels…

THCV and CBD directly reduce accumulated lipid levels in vitro in a hepatosteatosis model and adipocytes.

…these cannabinoids are able to increase yolk lipid mobilization and inhibit the development of hepatosteatosis respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest that THCV and CBD might be used as new therapeutic agents for the pharmacological treatment of obesity- and metabolic syndrome-related NAFLD/hepatosteatosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25595882

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

Neural Effects of Cannabinoid CB1 Neutral Antagonist Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCv) on Food Reward and Aversion in Healthy Volunteers.

Posted on December 30, 2014 by David

“Disturbances in the regulation of reward and aversion in the brain may underlie disorders such as obesity and eating disorders.

We previously showed that the cannabis receptor (CB1) inverse agonist rimonabant, an anti-obesity drug withdrawn due to depressogenic side effects, diminished neural reward responses yet increased aversive responses. Unlike rimonabant, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCv) is a neutral CB1 receptor antagonist and may therefore produce different modulations of the neural reward system…

Conclusions: Our findings are the first to show that treatment with the CB1 neutral antagonist THCv increases neural responding to rewarding and aversive stimuli.

This effect profile suggests therapeutic activity in obesity, perhaps with a lowered risk of depressive side effects.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25542687

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

Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabivarin prevents hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion injury by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses through cannabinoid CB2 receptors.

Posted on May 29, 2014 by David

“Activation of cannabinoid CB(2) receptors protects against various forms of ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Δ(8) -Tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ(8) -THCV) is a synthetic analogue of the plant cannabinoid Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabivarin, which exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in rodents involving activation of CB(2) receptors. Here, we assessed effects of Δ(8) -THCV and its metabolite 11-OH-Δ(8) -THCV on CB(2) receptors and against hepatic I/R injury.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:

Δ(8) -THCV activated CB(2) receptors in vitro, and decreased tissue injury and inflammation in vivo, associated with I/R partly via CB(2) receptor activation.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423240/

Cannabis Can Prevent Cancer Caused By Cigarette Use, According To New Study

Posted on September 1, 2013 by David

“A new study published by the journal J-Stage, and funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, has found that cannabinoids – whether THC, CBD or CBDV – were effective at blocking a certain enzyme which is known to cause cancer, and is produced in large amount when cigarettes are consumed.”

“These results suggest that the pentylresorcinol structure in CBD may have structurally important roles in direct CYP1A1 inhibition, although the whole structure of CBD is required for overall inhibition”, according to researchers.

CYP1A1 is an enzyme which isn’t dangerous at low-levels, but is produced in large quantities when someone smokes cigarettes; at large doses, the enzyme has been linked to cancer.

Researchers state that; “Accordingly, CBD and its related compounds, which are potent inhibitors of CYP1A1 activity, would be useful as a lead compound in anticancer chemotherapy.””

http://www.theweedblog.com/cannabis-can-prevent-cancer-caused-by-cigarette-use-according-to-new-study/

“Marijuana Disrupts Cancer Pathway of Cigarettes: Study” http://www.truthonpot.com/2013/08/19/marijuana-disrupts-cancer-pathway-of-cigarettes-study/