The cannabinoid delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits RAS-MAPK and PI3K-AKT survival signalling and induces BAD-mediated apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Posted on April 21, 2014 by David

“…there is considerable interest in therapeutics that can modulate survival signalling pathways and target cancer cells for death. There is emerging evidence that cannabinoids, especially Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may represent novel anticancer agents, due to their ability to regulate signalling pathways critical for cell growth and survival.

Here, we report that CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are expressed in human colorectal adenoma and carcinoma cells, and show for the first time that THC induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells…

The use of THC, or selective targeting of the CB1 receptor, may represent a novel strategy for colorectal cancer therapy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17583570

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/colon-cancer/

Study: Marijuana only alternative therapy showing promise for MS patients

Posted on March 25, 2014 by David

MarijuanaGrow-Medicinal

“Researchers said medical marijuana seems to be the only “alternative therapy” showing promise for helping those with multiple sclerosis.

Officials at Oregon Health and Science University said research shows therapies like massage and acupuncture aren’t as effective as medical marijuana.”

http://kfor.com/2014/03/24/study-marijuana-only-alternative-therapy-showing-promise-for-ms-patients-massage-acupuncture-dont/

Endocannabinoid system in cancer cachexia.

Posted on March 1, 2014 by David

Image result for current opinion in clinical nutrition & metabolic care

“More than 60% of advanced cancer patients suffer from anorexia and cachexia.

This review focuses on the possible mechanisms by which the endocannabinoid system antagonizes cachexia-anorexia processes in cancer patients and how it can be tapped for therapeutic applications.

Cannabinoids stimulate appetite and food intake…

Cannabinoid type 1 receptor activation stimulates appetite and promotes lipogenesis and energy storage.

Further study of cancer-cachexia pathophysiology and the role of endocannabinoids will help us to develop cannabinoids without psychotropic properties, which will help cancer patients suffering from cachexia and improve outcomes of clinical antitumor therapy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17563462

Cannabinoid receptors in human astroglial tumors.

Posted on January 27, 2014 by David

“…cannabinoids are reported to inhibit the growth of tumors, including gliomas. These effects have been claimed to be mediated via cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1, CB2).

We conclude that cannabinoid therapy of human gliomas targets not only receptors on tumor, but also on other cell types…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16893424

Nabiximols as an Agonist Replacement Therapy During Cannabis Withdrawal: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Posted on January 17, 2014 by David

“The cannabis extract nabiximols (Sativex), developed as a multiple sclerosis treatment, offers a potential agonist medication for cannabis withdrawal…

Nabiximols treatment significantly reduced the overall severity of cannabis withdrawal…

The data support further evaluation of nabiximols for management of cannabis dependence and withdrawal in treatment-seeking populations.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24430917

Clinical experience with THC:CBD oromucosal spray in patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity.

Posted on January 8, 2014 by David

“This detailed medical charts’ data collection study conducted at an MS clinic in Germany evaluated the effectiveness of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) / cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray in patients with resistant multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity…

In this routine clinical practice setting at an MS clinic in Germany, THC:CBD spray was effective and well tolerated as add-on therapy or as monotherapy in a relevant proportion of patients with resistant MS spasticity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24392812

Sativex(®) (tetrahydrocannabinol + cannabidiol), an endocannabinoid system modulator: basic features and main clinical data.

Posted on January 3, 2014 by David

“Sativex(®) (nabiximols, USAN name) oromucosal spray contains the two main active constituents of Cannabis sativa, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in a 1:1 molecular ratio, and acts as an endocannabinoid system modulator. Randomized, controlled clinical trials of Sativex as add-on therapy provide conclusive evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of more than 1500 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)-related resistant spasticity…

Sativex oromucosal spray appears to be a useful and welcomed option for the management of resistant spasticity in MS patients. Although the management of MS has been improved by the availability of disease-modifying agents that target the underlying pathophysiological processes of the disease, a clear need remains for more effective symptomatic treatments, especially as regards MS-related spasticity and pain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21449855

Cannabinoid Receptors as Target for Treatment of Osteoporosis: A Tale of Two Therapies

Posted on December 24, 2013 by David

“This review summarises in vitro and in vivo findings relating to the influence of cannabinoid ligands on bone metabolism and argues in favour of the exploitation of cannabinoid receptors as targets for both anabolic and anti-resorptive therapy for treatment of complex multifaceted bone diseases such as osteoporosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3001217/

Cannabinoid modulation of prefrontal-limbic activation during fear extinction learning and recall in humans.

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David

“Pre-extinction administration of Δ^9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) facilitates recall of extinction in healthy humans, and evidence from animal studies suggest that this likely involves via enhancement of the cannabinoid system within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and hippocampus (HIPP), brain structures critical to fear extinction…

This study provides the first evidence that pre-extinction administration of THC modulates prefrontal-limbic circuits during fear extinction in humans and prompts future investigation to test if cannabinoid agonists can rescue or correct the impaired behavioral and neural function during extinction recall in patients with PTSD.

Ultimately, the cannabinoid system may serve as a promising target for innovative intervention strategies (e.g. pharmacological enhancement of exposure-based therapy) in PTSD and other fear learning-related disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24055595

Treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: new perspectives regarding the use of cannabinoids.

Posted on September 23, 2013 by David

“Spasticity remains a prevalent symptom in multiple sclerosis, with a significant associated disability and quality of life impairment… Cannabinoids provide a new way for therapy.

A delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol plus cannabidiol (1:1) association, administered through an oromucosal route, has been approved in several countries including Spain; it causes a specific effect on CB(1) and CB(2) receptors, with traditional psychotropic cannabis actions being minimized.

Randomized, placebo-controlled trials, as well as longer-term open-label extensions, have shown a clear-cut efficacy to reduce spasticity and their associated symptoms in those patients refractory to other therapies, with a good tolerability/safety profile.

No tolerance, abuse or addictive issues have been found…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23011861