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Bortolato M, Braccagni G, Pederson CA, Floris G, Fite PJ. "Weeding out" violence? Translational perspectives on the neuropsychobiological links between cannabis and aggression. AGGRESSION AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR 2024; 78:101948. [PMID: 38828012 PMCID: PMC11141739 DOI: 10.1016/j.avb.2024.101948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Recent shifts in societal attitudes towards cannabis have led to a dramatic increase in consumption rates in many Western countries, particularly among young people. This trend has shed light on a significant link between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and pathological reactive aggression, a condition involving disproportionate aggressive and violent reactions to minor provocations. The discourse on the connection between cannabis use and aggression is frequently enmeshed in political and legal discussions, leading to a polarized understanding of the causative relationship between cannabis use and aggression. However, integrative analyses from both human and animal research indicate a complex, bidirectional interplay between cannabis misuse and pathological aggression. On the one hand, emerging research reveals a shared genetic and environmental predisposition for both cannabis use and aggression, suggesting a common underlying biological mechanism. On the other hand, there is evidence that cannabis consumption can lead to violent behaviors while also being used as a self-medication strategy to mitigate the negative emotions associated with pathological reactive aggression. This suggests that the coexistence of pathological aggression and CUD may result from overlapping vulnerabilities, potentially creating a self-perpetuating cycle where each condition exacerbates the other, escalating into externalizing and violent behaviors. This article aims to synthesize existing research on the intricate connections between these issues and propose a theoretical model to explain the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning this complex relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Giulia Braccagni
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Casey A. Pederson
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paula J. Fite
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
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2
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Gagné V, Boucher N, Desgagné-Penix I. Cannabis Roots: Therapeutic, Biotechnological and Environmental Aspects. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:35-48. [PMID: 38252502 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018, the number of licenses for this crop has increased significantly, resulting in an increase in waste generated. Nevertheless, cannabis roots were once used for their therapeutic properties, indicating that they could be valued today rather than dismissed. This review will focus on both traditional therapeutic aspects and potential use of roots in modern medicine while detailing the main studies on active phytomolecules found in cannabis roots. The environmental impact of cannabis cultivation and current knowledge of the root-associated microbiome are also presented as well as their potential applications in biotechnology and phytoremediation. Thus, several high added-value applications of cannabis roots resulting from scientific advances in recent years can be considered to remove them from discarded residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Gagné
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, Trois- Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Boucher
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, Trois- Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Plant Biology Research Group, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabel Desgagné-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, Trois- Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Plant Biology Research Group, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
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3
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Wong-Salgado P, Soares F, Moya-Salazar J, Ramírez-Méndez JF, Moya-Salazar MM, Apesteguía A, Castro A. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoid Profiles Identified in Cannabis L. Crops in Peru. Biomedicines 2024; 12:306. [PMID: 38397908 PMCID: PMC10886879 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is a plant that is cultivated worldwide, and its use is internationally regulated, but some countries have been regulating its medicinal, social, and industrial uses. This plant must have arrived in Peru during the Spanish conquest and remains widely cultivated illicitly or informally to this day. However, new regulations are currently being proposed to allow its legal commercialization for medicinal purposes. Cannabis contains specific metabolites known as cannabinoids, some of which have clinically demonstrated therapeutic effects. It is now possible to quantitatively measure the presence of these cannabinoids in dried inflorescences, thus allowing for description of the chemical profile or "chemotype" of cannabinoids in each sample. This study analyzed the chemotypes of eight samples of dried inflorescences from cannabis cultivars in four different regions of Peru, and based on the significant variation in the cannabinoid profiles, we suggest their therapeutic potential. The most important medical areas in which they could be used include the following: they can help manage chronic pain, they have antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, and antipruritic properties, are beneficial in treating duodenal ulcers, can be used in bronchodilators, in muscle relaxants, and in treating refractory epilepsy, have anxiolytic properties, reduce sebum, are effective on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, are proapoptotic in breast cancer, can be used to treat addiction and psychosis, and are effective on MRSA, in controlling psoriasis, and in treating glioblastoma, according to the properties of their concentrations of cannabidiol, cannabigerol, and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, as reviewed in the literature. On the other hand, having obtained concentrations of THC, we were able to suggest the psychotropic capacity of said samples, one of which even fits within the legal category of "non-psychoactive cannabis" according to Peruvian regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Wong-Salgado
- CANNAVITAL, Clínica Especializada en Terapias con Cannabinoides, Lima 15022, Peru;
- RENATU Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15039, Peru; (F.S.); (A.C.)
- Centro de Estudios del Cannabis del Perú, Lima 15022, Peru;
| | - Fabiano Soares
- RENATU Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15039, Peru; (F.S.); (A.C.)
- Centro de Estudios del Cannabis del Perú, Lima 15022, Peru;
- REAJA Laboratory, Curitiba 80045-180, Brazil
| | - Jeel Moya-Salazar
- Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - José F. Ramírez-Méndez
- CANNAVITAL, Clínica Especializada en Terapias con Cannabinoides, Lima 15022, Peru;
- Centro de Estudios del Cannabis del Perú, Lima 15022, Peru;
| | - Marcia M. Moya-Salazar
- Centro de Estudios del Cannabis del Perú, Lima 15022, Peru;
- Cannabis and Stone Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - Alfonso Apesteguía
- Centro de Información, Control Toxicológico y Apoyo a la Gestión Ambiental CICOTOX, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15039, Peru;
| | - Americo Castro
- RENATU Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15039, Peru; (F.S.); (A.C.)
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Shete S, Iqbal F, Bhardwaj M, Nandi U, Kumar A, Reddy DS. Sila-CBD Derivatives as Inhibitors of Heme-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome: Application in Hemolytic Diseases. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1716-1723. [PMID: 38116428 PMCID: PMC10726456 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthesis and biological evaluation of silicon-incorporated phytocannabinoids with improved pharmacological properties toward inflammatory diseases are described. The synthesized sila-analogues 15a, 15b, and 15c displayed potent inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 at 10 μM. Further, the release of heme during the lysis of red blood cells in hemolytic diseases is one of the major reasons for inflammation associated with the pathophysiology of these diseases. Due to scanty literature related to inhibitors of heme-mediated induction of the NLRP3 inflammasome, we decided to test these compounds against it. Compounds 15a and 15c significantly inhibited the heme-mediated induction of the NLRP3 inflammasome at a concentration of 0.1 μM. Interestingly, the sila-CBD derivatives also showed higher metabolic stability in contrast to their carbon analogues. Anti-NLRP3 inflammasome activity of compounds 15a and 15c were further validated in vivo against heme-mediated peritoneal inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds could be useful in treating diseases such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia involving the hemolysis-mediated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanket
S. Shete
- Division
of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- Natural
Product and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Fiza Iqbal
- Pharmacology
Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative
Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Mahir Bhardwaj
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
- Pharmacology
Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative
Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Utpal Nandi
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
- Pharmacology
Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative
Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
- Pharmacology
Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative
Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
| | - D. Srinivasa Reddy
- Division
of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- Natural
Product and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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Challal S, Skiba A, Langlois M, Esguerra CV, Wolfender JL, Crawford AD, Skalicka-Woźniak K. Natural product-derived therapies for treating drug-resistant epilepsies: From ethnopharmacology to evidence-based medicine. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 317:116740. [PMID: 37315641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological human diseases, affecting 1% of the population in all age groups. Despite the availability of over 25 anti-seizure medications (ASMs), which are approved in most industrialized countries, approximately 30% of epilepsy patients still experience seizures that are resistant to these drugs. Since ASMs target only limited number of neurochemical mechanisms, drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is not only an unmet medical need, but also a formidable challenge in drug discovery. AIM In this review, we examine recently approved epilepsy drugs based on natural product (NP) such as cannabidiol (CBD) and rapamycin, as well as NP-based epilepsy drug candidates still in clinical development, such as huperzine A. We also critically evaluate the therapeutic potential of botanical drugs as polytherapy or adjunct therapy specifically for DRE. METHODS Articles related to ethnopharmacological anti-epileptic medicines and NPs in treating all forms of epilepsy were collected from PubMed and Scopus using keywords related to epilepsy, DRE, herbal medicines, and NPs. The database clinicaltrials.gov was used to find ongoing, terminated and planned clinical trials using herbal medicines or NPs in epilepsy treatment. RESULTS A comprehensive review on anti-epileptic herbal drugs and natural products from the ethnomedical literature is provided. We discuss the ethnomedical context of recently approved drugs and drug candidates derived from NPs, including CBD, rapamycin, and huperzine A. Recently published studies on natural products with preclinical efficacy in animal models of DRE are summarized. Moreover, we highlight that natural products capable of pharmacologically activating the vagus nerve (VN), such as CBD, may be therapeutically useful to treat DRE. CONCLUSIONS The review highlights that herbal drugs utilized in traditional medicine offer a valuable source of potential anti-epileptic drug candidates with novel mechanisms of action, and with clinical promise for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Moreover, recently developed NP-based anti-seizure medications (ASMs) indicate the translational potential of metabolites of plant, microbial, fungal and animal origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soura Challal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adrianna Skiba
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | - Mélanie Langlois
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Camila V Esguerra
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Jean-Luc Wolfender
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alexander D Crawford
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway; Institute for Orphan Drug Discovery, Bremerhavener Innovations- und Gründerzentum (BRIG), Bremerhaven, Germany
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6
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Abyadeh M, Gupta V, Liu X, Rossio V, Mirzaei M, Cornish J, Paulo JA, Haynes PA. Proteome-Wide Profiling Using Sample Multiplexing of a Human Cell Line Treated with Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Proteomes 2023; 11:36. [PMID: 37987316 PMCID: PMC10661330 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes11040036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis has been used historically for both medicinal and recreational purposes, with the most notable cannabinoids being cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although their therapeutic effects have been well studied and their recreational use is highly debated, the underlying mechanisms of their biological effects remain poorly defined. In this study, we use isobaric tag-based sample multiplexed proteome profiling to investigate protein abundance differences in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line treated with CBD and THC. We identified significantly regulated proteins by each treatment and performed a pathway classification and associated protein-protein interaction analysis. Our findings suggest that these treatments may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and induce endoplasmic reticulum stress. These data can potentially be interrogated further to investigate the potential role of CBD and THC in various biological and disease contexts, providing a foundation for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Abyadeh
- ProGene Technologies Pty Ltd., Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia;
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (V.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Xinyue Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.L.); (V.R.); (J.A.P.)
| | - Valentina Rossio
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.L.); (V.R.); (J.A.P.)
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (V.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Jennifer Cornish
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
| | - Joao A. Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.L.); (V.R.); (J.A.P.)
| | - Paul A. Haynes
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
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7
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Gęgotek A, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Atalay Ekiner S, Skrzydlewska E. The Anti-Inflammatory Action of Cannabigerol Accompanied by the Antioxidant Effect of 3-O-ethyl Ascorbic Acid in UVA-Irradiated Human Keratinocytes. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 387:170-179. [PMID: 37652708 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive daily exposure of human skin to natural UVA radiation leads to impaired redox homeostasis in epidermal keratinocytes, resulting in changes in their proteome. Commonly used antioxidants usually exhibit protection in a narrowed range, which makes it necessary to combine their effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the protective effect of cannabigerol (CBG) and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (EAA), used separately and together, on the proteomic profile of UVA irradiated keratinocytes. Proteomic analysis with the use of the Q Exactive HF mass spectrometer, combined with biostatistic tests, performed on UVA-irradiated keratinocytes indicated enhanced and lowered expression of 186 and 160 proteins, respectively. CBG treatment after UVA irradiation reduced these numbers to 110 upregulated and 49 downregulated proteins, while EAA eliminated all these changes. CBG completely eliminated the UV-induced effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory proteins and significantly increased the level of proteins responsible for cellular locomotion. On the other hand, CBG reduced the level of UVA-induced 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts fivefold, whereas EAA had no effect on this modification. At the same time, CBG and EAA did not modify the expression/structure of proteins in relation to the nonirradiated control keratinocytes in the case of an unaccompanied use or slightly modified the protein profile when used in a mixture. The combined protective effects of CBG on protein structure and EAA on protein expression profile allowed us to obtain a wider protection of cells against UVA radiation, compared with when the compounds were used alone. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Proteomic analysis of human skin cells allows to conclude that 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid eliminates UVA-induced changes in the expression of keratinocyte proteins, while cannabigerol significantly reduces 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts. The combined protective effects of cannabigerol on protein structure and of 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid on protein expression profile allowed to obtain a wider protection of cells against UVA radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Gęgotek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
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8
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Coelho MP, Duarte P, Calado M, Almeida AJ, Reis CP, Gaspar MM. The current role of cannabis and cannabinoids in health: A comprehensive review of their therapeutic potential. Life Sci 2023; 329:121838. [PMID: 37290668 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There has been an increased interest of the scientific community in cannabis and its constituents for therapeutic purposes. Although it is believed that cannabinoids can be effective for a few different conditions and syndromes, there are little objective data that clearly support the use of cannabis, cannabis extracts or even cannabidiol (CBD) oil. This review aims to explore the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids for the treatment of several diseases. A broad search covering the past five years, was performed in PubMed and ClinicalTrial.gov databases, to identify papers focusing on the use of medical phytocannabinoids in terms of tolerability, efficacy and safety. Accordingly, there are preclinical data supporting the use of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids for the management of neurological pathologies, acute and chronical pain, cancer, psychiatric disorders and chemotherapy-induced emetic symptoms. However, regarding the clinical trials, most of the collected data do not fully support the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of such conditions. Consequently, more studies are still needed to clarify ascertain if the use of these compounds is useful in the management of different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pinto Coelho
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Duarte
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Calado
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António J Almeida
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pinto Reis
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; IBEB, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - M Manuela Gaspar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
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9
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Christensen C, Rose M, Cornett C, Allesø M. Decoding the Postulated Entourage Effect of Medicinal Cannabis: What It Is and What It Isn't. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2323. [PMID: 37626819 PMCID: PMC10452568 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The 'entourage effect' term was originally coined in a pre-clinical study observing endogenous bio-inactive metabolites potentiating the activity of a bioactive endocannabinoid. As a hypothetical afterthought, this was proposed to hold general relevance to the usage of products based on Cannabis sativa L. The term was later juxtaposed to polypharmacy pertaining to full-spectrum medicinal Cannabis products exerting an overall higher effect than the single compounds. Since the emergence of the term, a discussion of its pharmacological foundation and relevance has been ongoing. Advocates suggest that the 'entourage effect' is the reason many patients experience an overall better effect from full-spectrum products. Critics state that the term is unfounded and used primarily for marketing purposes in the Cannabis industry. This scoping review aims to segregate the primary research claiming as well as disputing the existence of the 'entourage effect' from a pharmacological perspective. The literature on this topic is in its infancy. Existing pre-clinical and clinical studies are in general based on simplistic methodologies and show contradictory findings, with the clinical data mostly relying on anecdotal and real-world evidence. We propose that the 'entourage effect' is explained by traditional pharmacological terms pertaining to other plant-based medicinal products and polypharmacy in general (e.g., synergistic interactions and bioenhancement).
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Christensen
- Tetra Pharm Technologies ApS, Rugmarken 10, DK-3650 Ølstykke, Denmark; (M.R.); (M.A.)
| | - Martin Rose
- Tetra Pharm Technologies ApS, Rugmarken 10, DK-3650 Ølstykke, Denmark; (M.R.); (M.A.)
| | - Claus Cornett
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Morten Allesø
- Tetra Pharm Technologies ApS, Rugmarken 10, DK-3650 Ølstykke, Denmark; (M.R.); (M.A.)
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10
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Hammaker K, Weathington N, Maroon J, Tang LW, Donohue B, Yehuda R, Ford KM, Figura M, Kelmendi B, Tan B, Cook MW, Factor SD, Lagano L, Driscoll HP, Howe AS, Cho EG, Rabin DM. An answered call for aid? Cannabinoid clinical framework for the opioid epidemic. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:110. [PMID: 37587466 PMCID: PMC10428550 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00842-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The opioid crisis continues in full force, as physicians and caregivers are desperate for resources to help patients with opioid use and chronic pain disorders find safer and more accessible non-opioid tools. MAIN BODY The purpose of this article is to review the current state of the opioid epidemic; the shifting picture of cannabinoids; and the research, policy, and current events that make opioid risk reduction an urgent public health challenge. The provided table contains an evidence-based clinical framework for the utilization of cannabinoids to treat patients with chronic pain who are dependent on opioids, seeking alternatives to opioids, and tapering opioids. CONCLUSION Based on a comprehensive review of the literature and epidemiological evidence to date, cannabinoids stand to be one of the most interesting, safe, and accessible tools available to attenuate the devastation resulting from the misuse and abuse of opioid narcotics. Considering the urgency of the opioid epidemic and broadening of cannabinoid accessibility amidst absent prescribing guidelines, the authors recommend use of this clinical framework in the contexts of both clinical research continuity and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Hammaker
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, 4209 St Rt 44, PO Box 95, Rootstown, OH, 44272, USA
| | - Nathaniel Weathington
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Delafield Rd, Ste 2040, Pittsburgh, PA, 15215, USA
| | - Joseph Maroon
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1218 Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Lawton W Tang
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Huntington Hospital, 100 West California Blvd, Pasadena, CA, 91105, USA
| | - Brian Donohue
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1300 Oxford Dr, Bethel Park, PA, 15102, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kenneth M Ford
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), 40 South Alcaniz, Pensacola, FL, 32502, USA
| | - Myro Figura
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- University of California Los Angeles, 757 Westwood Plaza, Ste 3325, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7403, USA
| | - Ben Kelmendi
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Yale University, 300 George St, Ste 901, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Belinda Tan
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- People Science, Inc, 3870 Del Amo Blvd, Unit 507, Torrance, CA, 90503, USA
| | - Matthew W Cook
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- BioReset Medical, 3803 S Bascom Ave, Ste 203, Campbell, CA, 95008, USA
| | - Steven D Factor
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Abington Neurological Associates, 1151 Old York Rd, Ste 200, Abington, PA, 19001, USA
| | - Laura Lagano
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | | | - Adam S Howe
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Albany Medical Center, 23 Hackett Blvd, MC-108, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - EunBit G Cho
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | - David M Rabin
- The Board of Medicine, 1942 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
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11
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Dragun T, Brown CV, Tulppo MP, Obad A, Dujić Ž. The Influence of Oral Cannabidiol on 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Untreated Hypertension: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Pilot Study. Adv Ther 2023; 40:3495-3511. [PMID: 37291376 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02560-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies reveal that cannabidiol may acutely reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness in normotensive humans; however, it remains unknown if this holds true in patients with untreated hypertension. We aimed to extend these findings to examine the influence of the administration of cannabidiol on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and arterial stiffness in hypertensive individuals. METHODS Sixteen volunteers (eight females) with untreated hypertension (elevated blood pressure, stage 1, stage 2) were given oral cannabidiol (150 mg every 8 h) or placebo for 24 h in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study. Measures of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and estimates of arterial stiffness and heart rate variability were obtained. Physical activity and sleep were also recorded. RESULTS Although physical activity, sleep patterns and heart rate variability were comparable between groups, arterial stiffness (~ 0.7 m/s), systolic blood pressure (~ 5 mmHg), and mean arterial pressure (~ 3 mmHg) were all significantly (P < 0.05) lower over 24 h on cannabidiol when compared to the placebo. These reductions were generally larger during sleep. Oral cannabidiol was safe and well tolerated with no development of new sustained arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that acute dosing of cannabidiol over 24 h can lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness in individuals with untreated hypertension. The clinical implications and safety of longer-term cannabidiol usage in treated and untreated hypertension remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Dragun
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Courtney V Brown
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia-Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Mikko P Tulppo
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ante Obad
- Department of Health Studies, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Željko Dujić
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia.
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12
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Farkas DJ, Cooper ZD, Heydari LN, Hughes AC, Rawls SM, Ward SJ. Kratom Alkaloids, Cannabinoids, and Chronic Pain: Basis of Potential Utility and Role in Therapy. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023. [PMID: 37466474 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic neuropathic pain is as a severe detriment to overall quality of life for millions of Americans. Current pharmacological treatment options for chronic neuropathic pain are generally limited in efficacy and may pose serious adverse effects such as risk of abuse, nausea, dizziness, and cardiovascular events. Therefore, many individuals have resorted to methods of pharmacological self-treatment. This narrative review summarizes the existing literature on the utilization of two novel approaches for the treatment of chronic pain, cannabinoid constituents of Cannabis sativa and alkaloid constituents of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), and speculates on the potential therapeutic benefits of co-administration of these two classes of compounds. Methods: We conducted a narrative review summarizing the primary motivations for use of both kratom and cannabis products based on epidemiological data and summarize the pre-clinical evidence supporting the application of both kratom alkaloids and cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain. Data collection was performed using the PubMed electronic database. The following word combinations were used: kratom and cannabis, kratom and pain, cannabis and pain, kratom and chronic pain, and cannabis and chronic pain. Results: Epidemiological evidence reports that the self-treatment of pain is a primary motivator for use of both kratom and cannabinoid products among adult Americans. Further evidence shows that use of cannabinoid products may precede kratom use, and that a subset of individuals concurrently uses both kratom and cannabinoid products. Despite its growing popularity as a form of self-treatment of pain, there remains an immense gap in knowledge of the therapeutic efficacy of kratom alkaloids for chronic pain in comparison to that of cannabis-based products, with only three pre-clinical studies having been conducted to date. Conclusion: There is sufficient epidemiological evidence to suggest that both kratom and cannabis products are used to self-treat pain, and that some individuals actively use both drugs, which may produce potential additive or synergistic therapeutic benefits that have not yet been characterized. Given the lack of pre-clinical investigation into the potential therapeutic benefits of kratom alkaloids against forms of chronic pain, further research is warranted to better understand its application as a treatment alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Farkas
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ziva D Cooper
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Laila N Heydari
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amanda C Hughes
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott M Rawls
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sara Jane Ward
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Khosropoor S, Alavi MS, Etemad L, Roohbakhsh A. Cannabidiol goes nuclear: The role of PPARγ. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 114:154771. [PMID: 36965374 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main phytocannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa. In contrast to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, it has a low affinity for cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, thereby it does not induce significant psychoactive effects. However, CBD may interact with other receptors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). CBD is a PPARγ agonist and changes its expression. There is considerable evidence that CBD's effects are mediated by its interaction with PPARγ. So, we reviewed studies related to the interaction of CBD and PPARγ. METHODS In this comprehensive literature review, the term 'cannabidiol' was used in combination with the following keywords including 'PPARγ', 'Alzheimer's disease', 'Parkinson's disease', 'seizure', 'multiple sclerosis', 'immune system', 'cardiovascular system', 'cancer', and 'adipogenesis'. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched until December 20, 2022. A total of 78 articles were used for the reviewing process. RESULTS CBD, via activation of PPARγ, promotes significant pharmacological effects. The present review shows that the effects of CBD on Alzheimer's disease and memory, Parkinson's disease and movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, anxiety and depression, cardiovascular system, immune system, cancer, and adipogenesis are mediated, at least in part, via PPARγ. CONCLUSION CBD not only activates PPARγ but also affects its expression in the body. It was suggested that the late effects of CBD are mediated via PPARγ activation. We suggested that CBD's chemical structure is a good backbone for developing new dual agonists. Combining it with other chemicals enhances their biological effectiveness while reducing their dosage. The present study indicated that PPARγ is a key target for CBD, and its activation by CBD should be considered in all future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Khosropoor
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohaddeseh Sadat Alavi
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Etemad
- International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Roohbakhsh
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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14
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Mendiguren A, Aostri E, Rodilla I, Pujana I, Noskova E, Pineda J. Cannabigerol modulates α 2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT 1A receptor-mediated electrophysiological effects on dorsal raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus neurons and anxiety behavior in rat. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1183019. [PMID: 37305529 PMCID: PMC10249961 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1183019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmacological profile of cannabigerol (CBG), which acid form constitutes the main precursor of the most abundant cannabinoids, has been scarcely studied. It has been reported to target α2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor. The locus coeruleus (LC) and the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) are the main serotonergic (5-HT) and noradrenergic (NA) areas in the rat brain, respectively. We aimed to study the effect of CBG on the firing rate of LC NA cells and DRN 5-HT cells and on α2-adrenergic and 5-HT1A autoreceptors by electrophysiological techniques in male Sprague-Dawley rat brain slices. The effect of CBG on the novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT) and the elevated plus maze test (EPMT) and the involvement of the 5-HT1A receptor was also studied. CBG (30 μM, 10 min) slightly changed the firing rate of NA cells but failed to alter the inhibitory effect of NA (1-100 µM). However, in the presence of CBG the inhibitory effect of the selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist UK14304 (10 nM) was decreased. Perfusion with CBG (30 μM, 10 min) did not change the firing rate of DRN 5-HT cells or the inhibitory effect of 5-HT (100 μM, 1 min) but it reduced the inhibitory effect of ipsapirone (100 nM). CBG failed to reverse ipsapirone-induced inhibition whereas perfusion with the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (30 nM) completely restored the firing rate of DRN 5-HT cells. In the EPMT, CBG (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the percentage of time the rats spent on the open arms and the number of head-dipping but it reduced the anxiety index. In the NSFT, CBG decreased the time latency to eat in the novel environment but it did not alter home-cage consumption. The effect of CBG on the reduction of latency to feed was prevented by pretreatment with WAY100635 (1 mg/kg, i.p.). In conclusion, CBG hinders the inhibitory effect produced by selective α2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor agonists on the firing rate of NA-LC and 5-HT-DRN neurons by a yet unknown indirect mechanism in rat brain slices and produces anxiolytic-like effects through 5-HT1A receptor.
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15
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Ieritano C, Thomas P, Hopkins WS. Argentination: A Silver Bullet for Cannabinoid Separation by Differential Mobility Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2023. [PMID: 37224077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
As the legality of cannabis continues to evolve globally, there is a growing demand for methods that can accurately quantitate cannabinoids found in commercial products. However, the isobaric nature of many cannabinoids, along with variations in extraction methods and product formulations, makes cannabinoid quantitation by mass spectrometry (MS) challenging. Here, we demonstrate that differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) and tandem-MS can distinguish a set of seven cannabinoids, five of which are isobaric: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), Δ8-THC, exo-THC, cannabidiol, cannabichromene, cannabinol, and cannabigerol. Analytes were detected as argentinated species ([M + Ag]+), which, when subjected to collision-induced dissociation, led to the unexpected discovery that argentination promotes distinct fragmentation patterns for each cannabinoid. The unique fragment ions formed were rationalized by discerning fragmentation mechanisms that follow each cannabinoid's MS3 behavior. The differing fragmentation behaviors between species suggest that argentination can distinguish cannabinoids by tandem-MS, although not quantitatively as some cannabinoids produce small amounts of a fragment ion that is isobaric with the major fragment generated by another cannabinoid. By adding DMS to the tandem-MS workflow, it becomes possible to resolve each cannabinoid in a pure N2 environment by deconvoluting the contribution of each cannabinoid to a specific fragmentation channel. To this end, we used DMS in conjunction with a multiple reaction monitoring workflow to assess cannabinoid levels in two cannabis extracts. Our methodology exhibited excellent accuracy, limits of detection (10-20 ppb depending on the cannabinoid), and linearity during quantitation by standard addition (R2 > 0.99).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Ieritano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
- Watermine Innovation, Waterloo, Ontario N0B 2T0, Canada
| | - Patrick Thomas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - W Scott Hopkins
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
- Watermine Innovation, Waterloo, Ontario N0B 2T0, Canada
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research, 17W Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong
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16
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Sacchettino L, Gatta C, Maruccio L, Boncompagni C, Napolitano F, Avallone L, d'Angelo D. Combining cannabis and melatonin treatment with a rehabilitation program improved symptoms in a dog with compulsive disorder: A case report. Res Vet Sci 2023; 160:26-29. [PMID: 37245289 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Compulsive disorder in dogs (CD) is characterized by constant and time-consuming repetition of behaviors, emancipated from the environment, that definitely compromise their everyday life activities. Here, we documented the efficacy of a novel approach to counteract the negative symptoms of CD in a 5-year-old mongrel dog, previously found to be resistant to the conventional antidepressant. The patient underwent an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, based on the cannabis and melatonin co-administration, together with a tailored 5-month-lasting behavioral program. Observational findings showed a lower rate of compulsive episodes and better management of the dog as well, when compared to the previous paroxetine treatment. We followed him for an additional four months of therapy, and the owners reported easier management of the dog, as reduction of abnormal behaviors to a level acceptable to the owners. Overall, our data so far collected in the CD dog may allow us to test more deeply the feasibility and safety of such an off-label approach, at both preclinical and clinical levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Sacchettino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Gatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucianna Maruccio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Napolitano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy.
| | - Luigi Avallone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Danila d'Angelo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy
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17
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Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol Exert Antimicrobial Activity without Compromising Skin Microbiota. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032389. [PMID: 36768709 PMCID: PMC9917174 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are two pharmacologically active phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa L. Their antimicrobial activity needs further elucidation, particularly for CBG, as reports on this cannabinoid are scarce. We investigated CBD and CBG's antimicrobial potential, including their ability to inhibit the formation and cause the removal of biofilms. Our results demonstrate that both molecules present activity against planktonic bacteria and biofilms, with both cannabinoids removing mature biofilms at concentrations below the determined minimum inhibitory concentrations. We report for the first time minimum inhibitory and lethal concentrations for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (ranging from 400 to 3180 µM), as well as the ability of cannabinoids to inhibit Staphylococci adhesion to keratinocytes, with CBG demonstrating higher activity than CBD. The value of these molecules as preservative ingredients for cosmetics was also assayed, with CBG meeting the USP 51 challenge test criteria for antimicrobial effectiveness. Further, the exact formulation showed no negative impact on skin microbiota. Our results suggest that phytocannabinoids can be promising topical antimicrobial agents when searching for novel therapeutic candidates for different skin conditions. Additional research is needed to clarify phytocannabinoids' mechanisms of action, aiming to develop practical applications in dermatological use.
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18
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Phytocannabinoids in the Pharmacotherapy of Psoriasis. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031192. [PMID: 36770858 PMCID: PMC9920113 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytocannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds, the main source of which is Cannabis sativa L. Through direct action or interaction with G protein-coupled receptors, they affect ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and modify the effectiveness of transcription factor responsible for the biosynthesis of antioxidants which lead to oxidative stress and its consequences. Due to the modification of the redox balance and inflammation, phytocannabinoids are used in the treatment of various diseases, including autoimmune dermatoses, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatoses, and one of unknown etiology. A disturbed redox balance with a shift towards the oxidation leads to oxidative stress, resulting in oxidative modifications, mainly of lipids and proteins, and prolonged activation of immune cells and increased generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in chronic inflammation. Given the biological activity of phytocannabinoids, they have become the focus of research as components of pharmacotherapy for psoriasis. Beneficial effects were shown by various representatives of phytocannabinoids, but the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on skin cells (in vitro and ex vivo) and on blood cells from patients with psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis has been most often evaluated in recent years.
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19
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Luz-Veiga M, Azevedo-Silva J, Fernandes JC. Beyond Pain Relief: A Review on Cannabidiol Potential in Medical Therapies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:155. [PMID: 37259306 PMCID: PMC9958812 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) is receiving increasing attention due to its pharmacological properties. Although CBD is extracted from Cannabis sativa, it lacks the psychoactive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and has become an attractive compound for pharmacological uses due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic potential. The molecular mechanisms involved in CBD's biological effects are not limited to its interaction with classical cannabinoid receptors, exerting anti-inflammatory or pain-relief effects. Several pieces of evidence demonstrate that CBD interacts with other receptors and cellular signaling cascades, which further support CBD's therapeutic potential beyond pain management. In this review, we take a closer look at the molecular mechanisms of CBD and its potential therapeutic application in the context of cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Luz-Veiga
- CBQF—Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina—Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Azevedo-Silva
- CBQF—Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina—Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - João C. Fernandes
- CBQF—Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina—Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
- Amyris Bio Products Portugal, Unipessoal Lda, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
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20
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Dziemitko S, Harasim-Symbor E, Chabowski A. How do phytocannabinoids affect cardiovascular health? An update on the most common cardiovascular diseases. Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2023; 14:20406223221143239. [PMID: 36636553 PMCID: PMC9830002 DOI: 10.1177/20406223221143239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes millions of deaths worldwide each year. Despite the great progress in therapies available for patients with CVD, some limitations, including drug complications, still exist. Hence, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) was proposed as a new avenue for CVDs treatment. The ECS components are widely distributed through the body, including the heart and blood vessels, thus the action of its endogenous and exogenous ligands, in particular, phytocannabinoids play a key role in various pathological states. The cardiovascular action of cannabinoids is complex as they affect vasculature and myocardium directly via specific receptors and exert indirect effects through the central and peripheral nervous system. The growing interest in phytocannabinoid studies, however, has extended the knowledge about their molecular targets as well as therapeutical properties; nonetheless, some areas of their actions are not yet fully recognized. Researchers have reported various cannabinoids, especially cannabidiol, as a promising approach to CVDs; hence, the purpose of this review is to summarize and update the cardiovascular actions of the most potent phytocannabinoids and the potential therapeutic role of ECS in CVDs, including ischemic reperfusion injury, arrhythmia, heart failure as well as hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ewa Harasim-Symbor
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of
Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Adrian Chabowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of
Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
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21
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Anchesi I, Betto F, Chiricosta L, Gugliandolo A, Pollastro F, Salamone S, Mazzon E. Cannabigerol Activates Cytoskeletal Remodeling via Wnt/PCP in NSC-34: An In Vitro Transcriptional Study. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:193. [PMID: 36616322 PMCID: PMC9823669 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid present in the Cannabis sativa L. plant. In our study, CBG at the concentration of 10 µM was used to treat NSC-34 motor neuron-like cells. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of CBG on NSC-34 cells, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Analysis showed the activation of the WNT/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway and Ephrin-Eph signaling. The results revealed that CBG increases the expression of genes associated with the onset process of cytoskeletal remodeling and axon guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Anchesi
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Betto
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Chiricosta
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Agnese Gugliandolo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Pollastro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Stefano Salamone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
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22
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Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabigerol in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Cultures Are Partly Mediated by TRPA1. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010855. [PMID: 36614296 PMCID: PMC9820932 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its medical legalization, cannabis preparations containing the major phytocannabinoids (cannabidiol (CBD) and δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) have been used by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to alleviate pain and inflammation. However, minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, but due to the lack of studies, they are not widely used. CBG binds several cellular target proteins such as cannabinoid and α2-adrenergic receptors, but it also ligates several members of the transient potential receptor (TRP) family with TRPA1 being the main target. TRPA1 is not only involved in nnociception, but it also protects cells from apoptosis under oxidative stress conditions. Therefore, modulation of TRPA1 signaling by CBG might be used to modulate disease activity in RA as this autoimmune disease is accompanied by oxidative stress and subsequent activation of pro-inflammatory pathways. Rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RASF) were stimulated or not with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) for 72 h to induce TRPA1 protein. CBG increased intracellular calcium levels in TNF-stimulated RASF but not unstimulated RASF in a TRPA1-dependent manner. In addition, PoPo3 uptake, a surrogate marker for drug uptake, was enhanced by CBG. RASF cell viability, IL-6 and IL-8 production were decreased by CBG. In peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures (PBMC) alone or together with RASF, CBG-modulated interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, TNF and immunoglobulin M and G production which was dependent on activation stimulus (T cell-dependent or independent). However, effects on PBMCs were only partially mediated by TRPA1 as the antagonist A967079 did inhibit some but not all effects of CBG on cytokine production. In contrast, TRPA1 antagonism even enhanced the inhibitory effects of CBG on immunoglobulin production. CBG showed broad anti-inflammatory effects in isolated RASF, PBMC and PBMC/RASF co-cultures. As CBG is non-psychotropic, it might be used as add-on therapy in RA to reduce IL-6 and autoantibody levels.
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Aljobaily N, Krutsinger K, Viereckl MJ, Joly R, Menlove B, Cone B, Suppes A, Han Y. Low-Dose Administration of Cannabigerol Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis Associated with Methionine/Choline Deficient Diet-Induced NASH Model via Modulation of Cannabinoid Receptor. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010178. [PMID: 36615835 PMCID: PMC9823433 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NASH is distinguished by severe hepatic fibrosis and inflammation. The plant-derived, non-psychotropic compound cannabigerol (CBG) has potential anti-inflammatory effects similar to other cannabinoids. However, the impact of CBG on NASH pathology is still unknown. This study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of CBG in reducing hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation. METHODS 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were fed with methionine/choline deficient (MCD) diet or control (CTR) diets for five weeks. At the beginning of week 4, mice were divided into three sub-groups and injected with either a vehicle, a low or high dose of CBG for two weeks. Overall health of the mice, Hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation were evaluated. RESULTS Increased liver-to-body weight ratio was observed in mice fed with MCD diet, while a low dose of CBG treatment rescued the liver-to-body weight ratio. Hepatic ballooning and leukocyte infiltration were decreased in MCD mice with a low dose of CBG treatment, whereas the CBG treatment did not change the hepatic steatosis. The high dose CBG administration increased inflammation and fibrosis. Similarly, the expression of cannabinoid receptor (CB)1 and CB2 showed decreased expression with the low CBG dose but not with the high CBG dose intervention in the MCD group and were co-localized with mast cells. Additionally, the decreased mast cells were accompanied by decreased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the low dose of CBG alleviated hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in MCD-induced NASH, however, the high dose of CBG treatment showed enhanced liver damage when compared to MCD only group. These results will provide pre-clinical data to guide future intervention studies in humans addressing the potential uses of CBG for inflammatory liver pathologies, as well as open the door for further investigation into systemic inflammatory pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouf Aljobaily
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kelsey Krutsinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Michael J. Viereckl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Raznin Joly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Bridger Menlove
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Brexton Cone
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Ailaina Suppes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Yuyan Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-970-351-2004
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Ghovanloo MR, Dib-Hajj SD, Goodchild SJ, Ruben PC, Waxman SG. Non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid interactions with voltage-gated sodium channels: An update on cannabidiol and cannabigerol. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1066455. [PMID: 36439273 PMCID: PMC9691960 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1066455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytocannabinoids, found in the plant, Cannabis sativa, are an important class of natural compounds with physiological effects. These compounds can be generally divided into two classes: psychoactive and non-psychoactive. Those which do not impart psychoactivity are assumed to predominantly function via endocannabinoid receptor (CB) -independent pathways and molecular targets, including other receptors and ion channels. Among these targets, the voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels are particularly interesting due to their well-established role in electrical signalling in the nervous system. The interactions between the main non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), and Nav channels were studied in detail. In addition to CBD, cannabigerol (CBG), is another non-psychoactive molecule implicated as a potential therapeutic for several conditions, including pain via interactions with Nav channels. In this mini review, we provide an update on the interactions of Nav channels with CBD and CBG.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Samuel J. Goodchild
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Peter C. Ruben
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Stephen G. Waxman
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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25
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Pharmacological Aspects and Biological Effects of Cannabigerol and Its Synthetic Derivatives. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:3336516. [PMID: 36397993 PMCID: PMC9666035 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3336516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid from the plant Cannabis sativa that lacks psychotomimetic effects. Its precursor is the acidic form, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is, in turn, a biosynthetic precursor of the compounds cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBGA decarboxylation leads to the formation of neutral cannabinoid CBG, through a chemical reaction catalyzed by heat. On the basis of the growing interest in CBG and with the aim of highlighting scientific information on this phytocannabinoid, we focused the content of this article on its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics and on its principal pharmacological effects. CBG is metabolized in the liver by the enzyme CYP2J2 to produce hydroxyl and di-oxygenated products. CBG is considered a partial agonist at the CB1 receptor (R) and CB2R, as well as a regulator of endocannabinoid signaling. Potential pharmacological targets for CBG include transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, cannabinoid, 5-HT1A, and alpha-2 receptors. Pre-clinical findings show that CBG reduces intraocular pressure, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumoral activities, and has anti-anxiety, neuroprotective, dermatological, and appetite-stimulating effects. Several findings suggest that research on CBG deserves to be deepened, as it could be used, alone or in association, for novel therapeutic approaches for several disorders.
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Roy P, Dennis DG, Eschbach MD, Anand SD, Xu F, Maturano J, Hellman J, Sarlah D, Das A. Metabolites of Cannabigerol Generated by Human Cytochrome P450s Are Bioactive. Biochemistry 2022; 61:2398-2408. [PMID: 36223199 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The phytocannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) is the central biosynthetic precursor to many cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Though the use of CBG has recently witnessed a widespread surge because of its beneficial health effects and lack of psychoactivity, its metabolism by human cytochrome P450s is largely unknown. Herein, we describe comprehensive in vitro and in vivo cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolic studies of CBG, ranging from liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based primary metabolic site determination, synthetic validation, and kinetic behavior using targeted mass spectrometry. These investigations revealed that cyclo-CBG, a recently isolated phytocannabinoid, is the major metabolite that is rapidly formed by selected human cytochrome P450s (CYP2J2, CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C8, and CYP2C9). Additionally, in vivo studies with mice administered with CBG supported these studies, where cyclo-CBG is the major metabolite as well. Spectroscopic binding studies along with docking and modeling of the CBG molecule near the heme in the active site of P450s confirmed these observations, pointing at the preferred site selectivity of CBG metabolism at the prenyl chain over other positions. Importantly, we found out that CBG and its oxidized CBG metabolites reduced inflammation in BV2 microglial cells stimulated with LPS. Overall, combining enzymological studies, mass spectrometry, and chemical synthesis, we showcase that CBG is rapidly metabolized by human P450s to form oxidized metabolites that are bioactive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritam Roy
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Bioengineering, Neuroscience program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - David G Dennis
- Roger Adams Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Mark D Eschbach
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Bioengineering, Neuroscience program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Shravanthi D Anand
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Bioengineering, Neuroscience program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Fengyun Xu
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Jonathan Maturano
- Roger Adams Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Judith Hellman
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - David Sarlah
- Roger Adams Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Aditi Das
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Bioengineering, Neuroscience program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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27
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Russo EB, Cuttler C, Cooper ZD, Stueber A, Whiteley VL, Sexton M. Survey of Patients Employing Cannabigerol-Predominant Cannabis Preparations: Perceived Medical Effects, Adverse Events, and Withdrawal Symptoms. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 7:706-716. [PMID: 34569849 PMCID: PMC9587780 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabigerol (CBG), and its precursor before decarboxylation, cannabigerolic acid is sometimes labeled the "mother of all cannabinoids." The purpose of the present study was to investigate reasons for use and self-reported therapeutic effects in CBG-predominant cannabis users. Usage patterns and adverse effects, including withdrawal symptoms were also explored. Methods: Cannabidiol-predominant cannabis users were recruited online to complete an online survey assessing CBG use patterns, conditions treated with CBG-predominant cannabis (containing >50% CBG), perceived efficacy, associated adverse events, and withdrawal symptoms. One hundred twenty-seven eligible participants (U.S. residents ages 21+ who reported using CBG-predominant cannabis in the past 6 months) completed the survey. Results: Most of the samples (n=65; 51.2%) reported use of CBG-predominant products solely for medical purposes (n=46; 36.2% reported use for medical and recreational purposes; n=8; 6.3% reported recreational use only, and n=8 were missing). The most common conditions the complete sample reported using CBG to treat were anxiety (51.2%), chronic pain (40.9%), depression (33.1%), and insomnia/disturbed sleep (30.7%). Efficacy was highly rated, with the majority reporting their conditions were "very much improved" or "much improved" by CBG. Furthermore, 73.9% claimed superiority of CBG-predominant cannabis over conventional medicines for chronic pain, 80% for depression, 73% for insomnia, and 78.3% for anxiety. Forty-four percent of CBG-predominant cannabis users reported no adverse events, with 16.5% noting dry mouth, 15% sleepiness, 11.8% increased appetite, and 8.7% dry eyes. Around 84.3% reported no withdrawal symptoms, with sleep difficulties representing the most frequently endorsed withdrawal symptom (endorsed by two respondents). Conclusions: This is the first patient survey of CBG-predominant cannabis use to date, and the first to document self-reported efficacy of CBG-predominant products, particularly for anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and insomnia. Most respondents reported greater efficacy of CBG-predominant cannabis over conventional pharmacotherapy, with a benign adverse event profile and negligible withdrawal symptoms. This study establishes that humans are employing CBG and suggests that CBG-predominant cannabis-based medicines should be studied in randomized controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ziva D. Cooper
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | - Michelle Sexton
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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28
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Sepulveda DE, Morris DP, Raup-Konsavage WM, Sun D, Vrana KE, Graziane NM. Cannabigerol (CBG) attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity elicited by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:1950-1966. [PMID: 35899583 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid produced by the plant Cannabis sativa with affinity to various receptors involved in nociception. As a result, CBG is marketed as an over-the-counter treatment for many forms of pain. However, there is very little research-based evidence for the efficacy of CBG as an anti-nociceptive agent. METHODS To begin to fill this knowledge gap, we assessed the anti-nociceptive effects of CBG in C57BL/6 mice using three different models of pain; cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy, the formalin test, and the tail-flick assay. RESULTS Using the von Frey test, we found that CBG-attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity evoked by cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in both male and female mice. Additionally, we observed that this CBG-induced reduction in mechanical hypersensitivity was attenuated by the α2 -adrenergic receptor antagonist atipamezole (3 mg/kg, i.p.) and the CB1 R antagonist, AM4113 (3 mg/kg, i.p.), and blocked by the CB2 R antagonist/inverse agonist, SR144528 (10 mg/kg, i.p.). We found that the TRPV1 antagonist, SB705498 (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was unable to prevent CBG actions. Furthermore, we show that CBG:CBD oil (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was more effective than pure CBG (10 mg/kg) at reducing mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathic mice. Lastly, we show that pure CBG and CBG:CBD oil were ineffective at reducing nociception in other models of pain, including the formalin and tail flick assays. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the role of CBG in alleviating mechanical hypersensitivity evoked by cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy, but highlight that these effects may be limited to specific types of pain. SIGNIFICANCE There are few effective treatments for neuropathic pain and neuropathic pain is projected to increase with the aging population. We demonstrate that CBG (cannabigerol) and CBG:CBD oil attenuate neuropathy-induced mechanical hypersensitivity mice. Second, we identify receptor targets that mediate CBG-induced reduction in mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathic mice. Third, we demonstrate that an acute injection of CBG is anti-nociceptive specifically for neuropathic pain rather than other forms of pain, including persistent pain and thermal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana E Sepulveda
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Wesley M Raup-Konsavage
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dongxiao Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kent E Vrana
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicholas M Graziane
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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Lamtha T, Tabtimmai L, Songtawee N, Tansakul N, Choowongkomon K. Structural analysis of cannabinoids against EGFR-TK leads a novel target against EGFR-driven cell lines. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2022; 3:100132. [PMID: 36568260 PMCID: PMC9780064 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2022.100132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the ErbB family of proteins and are involved in downstream signal transduction, plays prominent roles in cell growth regulation, proliferation, and the differentiation of many cell types. They are correlated with the stage and severity of cancer. Therefore, EGFRs are targeted proteins for the design of new drugs to treat cancers that overexpress these proteins. Currently, several bioactive natural extracts are being studied for therapeutic purposes. Cannabis has been reported in many studies to have beneficial medicinal effects, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, and antitumor activity. However, it is unclear whether cannabinoids reduce intracellular signaling by inhibiting tyrosine kinase phosphorylation. In this study, cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, and CBN) were simulated for binding to the EGFR-intracellular domain to evaluate the binding energy and binding mode based on molecular docking simulation. The results showed that the binding site was almost always located at the kinase active site. In addition, the compounds were tested for binding affinity and demonstrated their ability to inhibit kinase enzymes. Furthermore, the compounds potently inhibited cellular survival and apoptosis induction in either of the EGFR-overexpressing cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomanai Lamtha
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Bioinformatics (PROTEB), Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand,Spectroscopic and Sensing Devices Research Group (SSDRG), National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Lueacha Tabtimmai
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand
| | - Napat Songtawee
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Natthasit Tansakul
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Bioinformatics (PROTEB), Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand,Corresponding author.
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Chirasani VR, Wang J, Sha C, Raup-Konsavage W, Vrana K, Dokholyan NV. Whole proteome mapping of compound-protein interactions. CURRENT RESEARCH IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 2:100035. [PMID: 38125869 PMCID: PMC10732549 DOI: 10.1016/j.crchbi.2022.100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Off-target binding is one of the primary causes of toxic side effects of drugs in clinical development, resulting in failures of clinical trials. While off-target drug binding is a known phenomenon, experimental identification of the undesired protein binders can be prohibitively expensive due to the large pool of possible biological targets. Here, we propose a new strategy combining chemical similarity principle and deep learning to enable proteome-wide mapping of compound-protein interactions. We have developed a pipeline to identify the targets of bioactive molecules by matching them with chemically similar annotated "bait" compounds and ranking them with deep learning. We have constructed a user-friendly web server for drug-target identification based on chemical similarity (DRIFT) to perform searches across annotated bioactive compound datasets, thus enabling high-throughput, multi-ligand target identification, as well as chemical fragmentation of target-binding moieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkat R. Chirasani
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Congzhou Sha
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | | | - Kent Vrana
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Nikolay V. Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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31
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Jastrząb A, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E. The Origin and Biomedical Relevance of Cannabigerol. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147929. [PMID: 35887277 PMCID: PMC9322760 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The constant search for new pharmacologically active compounds, especially those that do not exhibit toxic effects, intensifies the interest in plant-based ingredients and their potential use in pharmacotherapy. One of the plants that has great therapeutic potential is Cannabis sativa L., a source of the psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), namely cannabidiol (CBD), which exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and cannabigerol (CBG)-a biologically active compound that is present in much smaller quantities. CBG is generated during the non-enzymatic decarboxylation of cannabigerolic acid, a key compound in the process of biosynthesis of phytocannabinoids and consequently the precursor to various phytocannabinoids. By interacting with G-protein-coupled receptors, CBG exhibits a wide range of biological activities, inter alia, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activities, regulation of the redox balance, and neuromodulatory effects. Due to the wide spectrum of biological activities, CBG seems to be a very promising compound to be used in the treatment of diseases that require multidirectional pharmacotherapy. Moreover, it is suggested that due to the relatively rapid metabolism of cannabigerol, determination of the concentration of the phytocannabinoid in blood or oral fluid can be used to determine cannabis use. Therefore, it seems obvious that new therapeutic approaches using CBG can be expected.
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Salehi A, Puchalski K, Shokoohinia Y, Zolfaghari B, Asgary S. Differentiating Cannabis Products: Drugs, Food, and Supplements. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:906038. [PMID: 35833025 PMCID: PMC9271575 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.906038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
“Hemp” refers to non-intoxicating, low delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. “Marijuana” refers to cultivars with high levels of Δ9-THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in the plant and a federally controlled substance used for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. Although marijuana and hemp belong to the same genus and species, they differ in terms of chemical and genetic composition, production practices, product uses, and regulatory status. Hemp seed and hemp seed oil have been shown to have valuable nutritional capacity. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid with a wide therapeutic index and acceptable side effect profile, has demonstrated high medicinal potential in some conditions. Several countries and states have facilitated the use of THC-dominant medical cannabis for certain conditions, while other countries continue to ban all forms of cannabis regardless of cannabinoid profile or low psychoactive potential. Today, differentiating between hemp and marijuana in the laboratory is no longer a difficult process. Certain thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods can rapidly screen for cannabinoids, and several gas and liquid chromatography techniques have been developed for precise quantification of phytocannabinoids in plant extracts and biological samples. Geographic regulations and testing guidelines for cannabis continue to evolve. As they are improved and clarified, we can better employ the appropriate applications of this uniquely versatile plant from an informed scientific perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Salehi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Keely Puchalski
- Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Yalda Shokoohinia
- Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Behzad Zolfaghari
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Asgary
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- *Correspondence: Sedigheh Asgary,
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Viereckl MJ, Krutsinger K, Apawu A, Gu J, Cardona B, Barratt D, Han Y. Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol Inhibit Cholangiocarcinoma Growth In Vitro via Divergent Cell Death Pathways. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060854. [PMID: 35740979 PMCID: PMC9221388 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare and highly lethal disease with few effective treatment options. Cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are non-psychedelic components extracted from cannabis. These non-psychoactive compounds have shown anti-proliferative potential in other tumor models; however, the efficacy of CBD and CBG in CCA is unknown. Furthermore, two cell death pathways are implicated with CBD resulting in autophagic degeneration and CBG in apoptosis. HuCC-T1 cells, Mz-ChA-1 cells (CCA cell lines) and H69 cells (immortalized cholangiocytes), were treated with CBD and CBG for 24 to 48 h. The influence of these cannabinoids on proliferation was assessed via MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated via Annexin-V apoptosis assay and propidium iodide, respectively. The expression of proliferation biomarker Ki-67, apoptosis biomarker BAX, and autophagic flux biomarkers LC3b and LAMP1 were evaluated via immunofluorescence. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated via wound healing assay and trans-well migration invasion assays, respectively. The colony formation was evaluated via colony formation assay. In addition, the expression of autophagy gene LC3b and apoptosis genes BAX, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated via Western blot. CBD and CBG are non-selective anti-proliferative agents yielding similar growth curves in CCA; both cannabinoids are effective, yet CBG is more active at lower doses. Low doses of CBD and CBG enhanced immortalized cholangiocyte activity. The reduction in proliferation begins immediately and occurs maximally within 24 h of treatment. Moreover, a significant increase in the late-stage apoptosis and a reduction in the number of cells in S stage of the cell cycle indicates both CBD and CBG treatment could promote apoptosis and inhibit mitosis in CCA cells. The fluorescent expression of BAX and LC3b was significantly enhanced with CBD treatment when compared to control. LAMP1 and LC3b colocalization could also be observed with CBD and CBG treatment indicating changes in autophagic flux. A significant inhibition of migration, invasion and colony formation ability was shown in both CBD and CBG treatment in CCA. Western blot showed an overall decrease in the ratio of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 with respect to pro-apoptotic protein BAX with CBG treatment. Furthermore, CBD treatment enhanced the expression of Type II cell death (autophagic degeneration) protein LC3b, which was reduced in CBG-treated CCA cells. Meanwhile, CBG treatment upregulated Type I cell death (programmed apoptosis) protein cleaved caspase-3. CBD and CBG are effective anti-cancer agents against CCA, capable of inhibiting the classic hallmarks of cancer, with a divergent mechanism of action (Type II or Type I respectively) in inducing these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Viereckl
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA; (M.J.V.); (K.K.); (B.C.)
| | - Kelsey Krutsinger
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA; (M.J.V.); (K.K.); (B.C.)
| | - Aaron Apawu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA;
| | - Jian Gu
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Bryana Cardona
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA; (M.J.V.); (K.K.); (B.C.)
| | - Donovan Barratt
- School of Biological Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Yuyan Han
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA; (M.J.V.); (K.K.); (B.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-970-351-2004
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Zhou C, Assareh N, Arnold JC. The Cannabis Constituent Cannabigerol Does Not Disrupt Fear Memory Processes or Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 7:294-303. [PMID: 34182770 PMCID: PMC9225414 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Medicinal cannabis has proliferated around the world and there is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of individual plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids). Preclinical evidence suggests the phytocannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) could be useful in treating brain disorders, including stress and anxiety-related disorders. In this study, we aimed to explore whether CBG disrupts various contextually conditioned fear memory processes and trauma-induced anxiety-related behavior in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Materials and Methods: All mice underwent contextual fear conditioning. CBG was administered between 1 and 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). We first assessed the effects of repeated CBG exposure on long-term fear memories. We also examined whether acute CBG affected various fear memory processes, namely expression, acquisition, consolidation, and reconsolidation of conditioned fear. Finally, the effect of acute CBG administration on stress-induced anxiety in the light/dark test was assessed. Results: Repeated CBG exposure did not affect long-term conditioned fear that was observed 24 days after the conditioning session. Moreover, acute CBG administration did not influence the acquisition, consolidation, reconsolidation, or expression of contextually conditioned fear. Acute CBG treatment also did not affect stress-induced anxiety-related behaviors in the light/dark test. Conclusions: CBG was ineffective in disrupting long-term fear memories, various conditioned fear memory processes, or stress-induced anxiety-related behavior in mice. These preclinical data suggest CBG may have limited scope in the treatment of PTSD and stress-related anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cilla Zhou
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Neda Assareh
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jonathon C. Arnold
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Address correspondence to: Jonathon C. Arnold, PhD, Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown 2050, New South Wales, Australia,
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Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, Fumagalli M, DellʼAgli M, Piazza S, Sangiovanni E. Cannabis sativa and Skin Health: Dissecting the Role of Phytocannabinoids. PLANTA MEDICA 2022; 88:492-506. [PMID: 33851375 DOI: 10.1055/a-1420-5780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of Cannabis sativa is currently recognized to ease certain types of chronic pain, reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea, and improve anxiety. Nevertheless, few studies highlighted the therapeutic potential of C. sativa extracts and related phytocannabinoids for a variety of widespread skin disorders including acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, pruritus, and pain. This review summarized the current evidence on the effects of phytocannabinoids at the cutaneous level through the collection of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies published on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science until October 2020. Phytocannabinoids have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-acne properties by various mechanisms involving either CB1/2-dependent and independent pathways. Not only classical immune cells, but also several skin-specific actors, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, and sebocytes, may represent a target for phytocannabinoids. Cannabidiol, the most investigated compound, revealed photoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms at the cutaneous level, while the possible impact on cell differentiation, especially in the case of psoriasis, would require further investigation. Animal models and pilot clinical studies supported the application of cannabidiol in inflammatory-based skin diseases. Also, one of the most promising applications of non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids is the treatment of seborrheic disorders, especially acne. In conclusion, the incomplete knowledge of the role of the endocannabinoid system in skin disorders emerged as an important limit for pharmacological investigations. Moreover, the limited studies conducted on C. sativa extracts suggested a higher potency than single phytocannabinoids, thus stimulating new research on phytocannabinoid interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Martinelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Magnavacca
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario DellʼAgli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Piazza
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Sangiovanni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Raphael-Mizrahi B, Attar-Lamdar M, Chourasia M, Cascio MG, Shurki A, Tam J, Neuman M, Rimmerman N, Vogel Z, Shteyer A, Pertwee RG, Zimmer A, Kogan N, Bab I, Gabet Y. Osteogenic growth peptide is a potent anti-inflammatory and bone preserving hormone via cannabinoid receptor type 2. eLife 2022; 11:65834. [PMID: 35604006 PMCID: PMC9154745 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system consists mainly of 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide, as well as cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2). Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that a circulating peptide previously identified as Osteogenic Growth Peptide (OGP) maintains a bone-protective CB2 tone. We tested OGP activity in mouse models and cells, and in human osteoblasts. We show that the OGP effects on osteoblast proliferation, osteoclastogenesis, and macrophage inflammation in vitro, as well as rescue of ovariectomy-induced bone loss and prevention of ear edema in vivo are all abrogated by genetic or pharmacological ablation of CB2. We also demonstrate that OGP binds at CB2 and may act as both an agonist and positive allosteric modulator in the presence of other lipophilic agonists. In premenopausal women, OGP circulating levels significantly decline with age. In adult mice, exogenous administration of OGP completely prevented age-related bone loss. Our findings suggest that OGP attenuates age-related bone loss by maintaining a skeletal CB2 tone. Importantly, they also indicate the occurrence of an endogenous peptide that signals via CB2 receptor in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malka Attar-Lamdar
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mukesh Chourasia
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maria G Cascio
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Avital Shurki
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Joseph Tam
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Moshe Neuman
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Neta Rimmerman
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Zvi Vogel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Arie Shteyer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Roger G Pertwee
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Zimmer
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Natalya Kogan
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Itai Bab
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yankel Gabet
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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37
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Vernail VL, Bingaman SS, Silberman Y, Raup-Konsavage WM, Vrana KE, Arnold AC. Acute Cannabigerol Administration Lowers Blood Pressure in Mice. Front Physiol 2022; 13:871962. [PMID: 35615681 PMCID: PMC9124753 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.871962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabigerol is a cannabinoid compound synthesized by Cannabis sativa, which in its acid form acts as the substrate for both Δ9-tetraydrocannabinol and cannabidiol formation. Given its lack of psychoactive effects, emerging research has focused on cannabigerol as a potential therapeutic for health conditions including algesia, epilepsy, anxiety, and cancer. While cannabigerol can bind to classical cannabinoid receptors, it is also an agonist at α2-adrenoreceptors (α2AR) which, when activated, inhibit presynaptic norepinephrine release. This raises the possibility that cannabigerol could activate α2AR to reduce norepinephrine release to cardiovascular end organs to lower blood pressure. Despite this possibility, there are no reports examining cannabigerol cardiovascular effects. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that acute cannabigerol administration lowers blood pressure. Blood pressure was assessed via radiotelemetry at baseline and following intraperitoneal injection of cannabigerol (3.3 and 10 mg/kg) or vehicle administered in a randomized crossover design in male C57BL/6J mice. Acute cannabigerol significantly lowered mean blood pressure (-28 ± 2 mmHg with 10 mg/kg versus -12 ± 5 mmHg vehicle, respectively; p = 0.018), with no apparent dose responsiveness (-22 ± 2 mmHg with 3.3 mg/kg). The depressor effect of cannabigerol was lower in magnitude than the α2AR agonist guanfacine and was prevented by pretreatment with the α2AR antagonist atipamezole. These findings suggest that acute cannabigerol lowers blood pressure in phenotypically normal mice likely via an α2AR mechanism, which may be an important consideration for therapeutic cannabigerol administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L. Vernail
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Sarah S. Bingaman
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Yuval Silberman
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | | | - Kent E. Vrana
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Amy C. Arnold
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Amy C. Arnold,
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38
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Déléaval M, Burri H, Bakelants E. Harmless herbs? A case report of acquired long QT syndrome and torsades de pointes in a patient taking herbal supplements. HeartRhythm Case Rep 2022; 8:309-312. [PMID: 35607330 PMCID: PMC9123311 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elise Bakelants
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Elise Bakelants, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Geneva, Rue Gabrielle Perret Gentil 4, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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Amstutz K, Schwark WS, Zakharov A, Gomez B, Lyubimov A, Ellis K, Venator KP, Wakshlag JJ. Single dose and chronic oral administration of cannabigerol and cannabigerolic acid-rich hemp extract in fed and fasted dogs: Physiological effect and pharmacokinetic evaluation. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2022; 45:245-254. [PMID: 35246858 DOI: 10.1111/jvp.13048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of cannabinoids in veterinary medicine has been increasing exponentially recently and there is little information regarding the pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids except for cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), with even more sparse information related to their native acid forms found in cannabis. Cannabigerol (CBG) is the precursor molecule to cannabinoid formation in the cannabis plant which may have medicinal properties as well, yet there are no publications related to CBG or the native cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) in companion animal species. The aim of this study was to investigate similar dosing of CBG and CBGA from hemp plants that have been used for cannabidiol pharmacokinetic studies. Administration in the fed and fasted state was performed to better understand absorption and retention of these unique hemp-derived cannabinoids in dogs. Results suggest that when providing a hemp-derived CBG/CBGA formulation in equal quantities, CBGA is absorbed approximately 40-fold better than CBG regardless of being given to fed or fasted dogs. After twice daily dosing for two weeks at 2 mg/kg in the fasted and then fed state, no differences in the mean serum CBG (5 ng/ml) or CBGA (250 ng/ml) serum concentrations were observed between states. Importantly, physical examination, complete blood counts, and serum chemistry evaluations over the two weeks suggest no adverse events during this short-term dosing trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Amstutz
- Hometown Veterinary Hospital and River Canine Rehabilitation, Springfield, Missouri, USA
| | - Wayne S Schwark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alexander Zakharov
- Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Beatriz Gomez
- Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alex Lyubimov
- Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Karolynn Ellis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Kurt P Venator
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Joseph J Wakshlag
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, USA
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40
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Lehrer S, Rheinstein PH. Cannabis, Intraocular Pressure, and the Growth Arrest-Specific 7 (GAS7) Gene: A Retrospective Analysis. Cureus 2022; 14:e23919. [PMID: 35411287 PMCID: PMC8989065 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.23919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a highly heritable risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), with at least 27 related genes; however, we are still not aware as to which receptors or genes that the main components of cannabis use to lower IOP. Methods In the current study, we used data from the UK Biobank (UKBB) to assess the relationship of growth arrest-specific 7 (GAS7) with IOP and cannabis in 37,046 subjects. GAS7, at chromosome 17p31.1, is quite close to a cannabis receptor at chromosome 17p31.3. For comparison, we chose a second IOP/glaucoma gene, CDKN2B-AS1 on chromosome 9p21.3, with no known relationship to cannabis. In addition, we examined the effect of CB1, GPR18, and cannabis on IOP; these two genes are associated with cannabis IOP reduction in mice. Results Total cannabis use versus IOP and genotypes of GAS7 SNP rs9913911 in the 37,046 subjects showed significant variation [p<0.001, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. Carriers of the GAS7 rs9913911 minor allele G had lower IOP with increased cannabis use. Total cannabis use versus IOP of genotypes of CDKN2B-AS1 SNP rs944801 in 37,046 subjects had IOP variability with cannabis use that was insignificant (p=0.138). We analyzed the relationship of CB1 SNP rs806365 and GPR18 SNP rs3742130 with cannabis use and IOP, which was insignificant. CB1 and GPR18 are probably not involved in cannabis-associated human IOP reduction, unlike what has been reported in mice. Conclusion Cannabis-based treatments, which apparently act on the GAS7 gene, can be utilized to reduce IOP. However, their disadvantages outweigh their advantages, which was not the case when the initial reports of marijuana's effects on IOP were published in the 1970s. Hence, cannabis-based glaucoma treatments are now of questionable value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Lehrer
- Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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41
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Abidi AH, Alghamdi SS, Derefinko K. A critical review of cannabis in medicine and dentistry: A look back and the path forward. Clin Exp Dent Res 2022; 8:613-631. [PMID: 35362240 PMCID: PMC9209799 DOI: 10.1002/cre2.564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the last two decades, our understanding of the therapeutic utility and medicinal properties of cannabis has greatly changed. This change has been accompanied by widespread cannabis use in various communities and different age groups, especially within the United States. With this increase, we should consider the potential effects of cannabis–hemp on general public health and how they could alter therapeutic outcomes. Material and Methods The present investigation examined cannabis use for recreational and therapeutic use and a review of pertinent indexed literature was performed. The focused question evaluates “how cannabis or hemp products impact health parameters and do they provide potential therapeutic value in dentistry, and how do they interact with conventional medicines (drugs).” Indexed databases (PubMed/Medline, EMBASE) were searched without any time restrictions but language was restricted to English. Results The review highlights dental concerns of cannabis usage, the need to understand the endocannabinoid system (ECS), cannabinoid receptor system, its endogenous ligands, pharmacology, metabolism, current oral health, and medical dilemma to ascertain the detrimental or beneficial effects of using cannabis–hemp products. The pharmacological effects of pure cannabidiol (CBD) have been studied extensively while cannabis extracts can vary significantly and lack empirical studies. Several metabolic pathways are affected by cannabis use and could pose a potential drug interaction. The chronic use of cannabis is associated with health issues, but the therapeutic potential is multifold since there is a regulatory role of ECS in many pathologies. Conclusion Current shortcomings in understanding the benefits of cannabis or hemp products are limited due to pharmacological and clinical effects not being predictable, while marketed products vary greatly in phytocompounds warrant further empirical investigation. Given the healthcare challenges to manage acute and chronic pain, this review highlights both cannabis and CBD‐hemp extracts to help identify the therapeutic application for patient populations suffering from anxiety, inflammation, and dental pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammaar H Abidi
- College of Dentistry, Department of Bioscience Research, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.,College of Dentistry, Department of General Dentistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sahar S Alghamdi
- Department of Phamaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Karen Derefinko
- College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.,College of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Sionov RV, Steinberg D. Anti-Microbial Activity of Phytocannabinoids and Endocannabinoids in the Light of Their Physiological and Pathophysiological Roles. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030631. [PMID: 35327432 PMCID: PMC8945038 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has become an increasing challenge in the treatment of various infectious diseases, especially those associated with biofilm formation on biotic and abiotic materials. There is an urgent need for new treatment protocols that can also target biofilm-embedded bacteria. Many secondary metabolites of plants possess anti-bacterial activities, and especially the phytocannabinoids of the Cannabis sativa L. varieties have reached a renaissance and attracted much attention for their anti-microbial and anti-biofilm activities at concentrations below the cytotoxic threshold on normal mammalian cells. Accordingly, many synthetic cannabinoids have been designed with the intention to increase the specificity and selectivity of the compounds. The structurally unrelated endocannabinoids have also been found to have anti-microbial and anti-biofilm activities. Recent data suggest for a mutual communication between the endocannabinoid system and the gut microbiota. The present review focuses on the anti-microbial activities of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids integrated with some selected issues of their many physiological and pharmacological activities.
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Legare CA, Raup-Konsavage WM, Vrana KE. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis, Cannabidiol, and Cannabinoid-Based Pharmaceuticals. Pharmacology 2022; 107:131-149. [DOI: 10.1159/000521683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
<b><i>Background:</i></b> There is a growing interest in the use of cannabis (and its extracts), as well as CBD oil (hemp extracts containing cannabidiol), for therapeutic purposes. While there is reason to believe that cannabinoids may be efficacious for a number of different diseases and syndromes, there exist limited objective data supporting the use of crude materials (CBD oil, cannabis extracts, and/or cannabis itself). <b><i>Summary:</i></b> In the present review, we examined data for pure cannabinoid compounds (dronabinol, nabilone, and CBD), as well as partially purified medicinal cannabis extracts (nabiximols), to provide guidance on the potential therapeutic uses of high-THC cannabis and CBD oil. In general, data support a role for cannabis/cannabinoids in pain, seizure disorders, appetite stimulation, muscle spasticity, and treatment of nausea/vomiting. Given the biological activities of the cannabinoids, there may be utility in treatment of central nervous system disorders (such as neurodegenerative diseases, PTSD, and addiction) or for the treatment of cancer. However, those data are much less compelling. <b><i>Key Message:</i></b> On balance, there are reasons to support the potential use of medical cannabis and cannabis extract (Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC-dominant or CBD-dominant), but much more careful research is required.
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Kebede L, Masoomi Dezfooli S, Seyfoddin A. Medicinal Cannabis Pharmacokinetics and Potential Methods of Delivery. Pharm Dev Technol 2022; 27:202-214. [PMID: 35084279 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2022.2035748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The evidence of cannabis exhibiting polypharmacological properties has been accumulating for the past few decades, particularly for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory abilities. However, inconsistent dosage forms and erratic absorption levels prevent medicinal cannabis products from becoming mainstream recommendations for pain management. Current cannabis products fail to address the undesirable characteristics associated with cannabinoids such as low solubility, poor bioavailability, and lack of specificity, all of which contribute to low therapeutic effect. In this narrative view, the pharmacokinetics of cannabis products and possible methods of drug delivery, in the form of carrier systems, will be explored. The incorporation of cannabinoids into carrier systems provides an opportunity to improve absorption levels, increase bioavailability and reduce adverse events allowing for a greater therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidya Kebede
- Drug Delivery Research Group, School of Science, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Seyedehsara Masoomi Dezfooli
- Drug Delivery Research Group, School of Science, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ali Seyfoddin
- Drug Delivery Research Group, School of Science, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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45
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Laudanski K, Wain J. Considerations for Cannabinoids in Perioperative Care by Anesthesiologists. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030558. [PMID: 35160010 PMCID: PMC8836924 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased usage of recreational and medically indicated cannabinoid compounds has been an undeniable reality for anesthesiologists in recent years. These compounds’ complicated pharmacology, composition, and biological effects result in challenging issues for anesthesiologists during different phases of perioperative care. Here, we review the existing formulation of cannabinoids and their biological activity to put them into the context of the anesthesia plan execution. Perioperative considerations should include a way to gauge the patient’s intake of cannabinoids, the ability to gain consent properly, and vigilance to the increased risk of pulmonary and airway problems. Intraoperative management in individuals with cannabinoid use is complicated by the effects cannabinoids have on general anesthetics and depth of anesthesia monitoring while simultaneously increasing the potential occurrence of intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Postoperative planning should involve higher vigilance to the risk of postoperative strokes and acute coronary syndromes. However, most of the data are not up to date, rending definite conclusions on the importance of perioperative cannabinoid intake on anesthesia management difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Laudanski
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Correspondence: (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Justin Wain
- School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
- Correspondence: (K.L.); (J.W.)
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Will Cannabigerol Trigger Neuroregeneration after a Spinal Cord Injury? An In Vitro Answer from NSC-34 Scratch-Injured Cells Transcriptome. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020117. [PMID: 35215230 PMCID: PMC8875351 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury affects the lives of millions of people around the world, often causing disability and, in unfortunate circumstances, death. Rehabilitation can partly improve outcomes and only a small percentage of patients, typically the least injured, can hope to return to normal living conditions. Cannabis sativa is gaining more and more interest in recent years, even though its beneficial properties have been known for thousands of years. Cannabigerol (CBG), extracted from C. sativa, is defined as the “mother of all cannabinoids” and its properties range from anti-inflammatory to antioxidant and neuroprotection. Using NSC-34 cells to model spinal cord injury in vitro, our work evaluated the properties of CBG treatments in motor neuron regeneration. While pre-treatment can modulate oxidative stress and increase antioxidant enzyme genes, such as Tnx1, decreasing Nos1 post-treatment seems to induce regeneration genes by triggering different pathways, such as Gap43 via p53 acetylation by Ep300 and Ddit3 and Xbp1 via Bdnf signaling, along with cytoskeletal remodeling signaling genes Nrp1 and Map1b. Our results indicate CBG as a phytocompound worth further investigation in the field of neuronal regeneration.
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Walsh KB, McKinney AE, Holmes AE. Minor Cannabinoids: Biosynthesis, Molecular Pharmacology and Potential Therapeutic Uses. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:777804. [PMID: 34916950 PMCID: PMC8669157 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.777804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The medicinal use of Cannabis sativa L. can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China and Egypt. While marijuana has recently shown promise in managing chronic pain and nausea, scientific investigation of cannabis has been restricted due its classification as a schedule 1 controlled substance. A major breakthrough in understanding the pharmacology of cannabis came with the isolation and characterization of the phytocannabinoids trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). This was followed by the cloning of the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in the 1990s and the subsequent discovery of the endocannabinoid system. In addition to the major phytocannabinoids, Δ9-THC and CBD, cannabis produces over 120 other cannabinoids that are referred to as minor and/or rare cannabinoids. These cannabinoids are produced in smaller amounts in the plant and are derived along with Δ9-THC and CBD from the parent cannabinoid cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). While our current knowledge of minor cannabinoid pharmacology is incomplete, studies demonstrate that they act as agonists and antagonists at multiple targets including CB1 and CB2 receptors, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), serotonin 5-HT1a receptors and others. The resulting activation of multiple cell signaling pathways, combined with their putative synergistic activity, provides a mechanistic basis for their therapeutic actions. Initial clinical reports suggest that these cannabinoids may have potential benefits in the treatment of neuropathic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, cancer and skin disorders. This review focuses on the molecular pharmacology of the minor cannabinoids and highlights some important therapeutic uses of the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth B Walsh
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Amanda E McKinney
- Institute for Human and Planetary Health, Crete, NE, United States.,School of Integrative Learning, Doane University, Crete, NE, United States
| | - Andrea E Holmes
- School of Integrative Learning, Doane University, Crete, NE, United States.,Precision Plant Molecules, Denver, CO, United States
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Sexton M, Garcia JM, Jatoi A, Clark CS, Wallace MS. The Management of Cancer Symptoms and Treatment-Induced Side Effects With Cannabis or Cannabinoids. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2021; 2021:86-98. [PMID: 34850897 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis and cannabinoids are increasingly being accessed and used by patients with advanced cancer for various symptoms and general quality of life. Specific symptoms of pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and cachexia, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and medical trauma are among those that have prompted patients with cancer to use cannabis. This conference report from the National Cancer Institute's "Cannabis, Cannabinoid and Cancer Research Symposium" on the topic of "Cancer Symptom/Treatment Side Effect Management" is an expert perspective of cannabis intervention for cancer and cancer treatment-related symptoms. The purpose of the symposium was to identify research gaps, describe the need for high-quality randomized prospective studies of medical cannabis for palliative care in patients with cancer, and evaluate the impact of medical cannabis on cancer survivors' quality of life. Further, education of clinicians and affiliated health-care providers in guiding cancer patients in using cannabis for cancer care would benefit patients. Together, these steps will further aid in refining the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for symptom palliation and improve safety and efficacy for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Sexton
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Management, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jose M Garcia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Washington and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Puget Sound Veterans Administration Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aminah Jatoi
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Carey S Clark
- Department of Nursing, Pacific College of Health and Science, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Wallace
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Management, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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Abyadeh M, Gupta V, Paulo JA, Gupta V, Chitranshi N, Godinez A, Saks D, Hasan M, Amirkhani A, McKay M, Salekdeh GH, Haynes PA, Graham SL, Mirzaei M. A Proteomic View of Cellular and Molecular Effects of Cannabis. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1411. [PMID: 34680044 PMCID: PMC8533448 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa), popularly known as marijuana, is the most commonly used psychoactive substance and is considered illicit in most countries worldwide. However, a growing body of research has provided evidence of the therapeutic properties of chemical components of cannabis known as cannabinoids against several diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and glaucoma; these have prompted changes in medicinal cannabis legislation. The relaxation of legal restrictions and increased socio-cultural acceptance has led to its increase in both medicinal and recreational usage. Several biochemically active components of cannabis have a range of effects on the biological system. There is an urgent need for more research to better understand the molecular and biochemical effects of cannabis at a cellular level, to understand fully its implications as a pharmaceutical drug. Proteomics technology is an efficient tool to rigorously elucidate the mechanistic effects of cannabis on the human body in a cell and tissue-specific manner, drawing conclusions associated with its toxicity as well as therapeutic benefits, safety and efficacy profiles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of both in vitro and in vivo proteomic studies involving the cellular and molecular effects of cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Abyadeh
- ProGene Technologies Pty Ltd., Macquarie Park, Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia;
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (N.C.); (A.G.); (D.S.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Joao A. Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Veer Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 2600, Australia;
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (N.C.); (A.G.); (D.S.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Angela Godinez
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (N.C.); (A.G.); (D.S.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Danit Saks
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (N.C.); (A.G.); (D.S.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Mafruha Hasan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Ardeshir Amirkhani
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
| | - Matthew McKay
- Bowel Cancer and Biomarker Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Ghasem H. Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.H.S.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Paul A. Haynes
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.H.S.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Stuart L. Graham
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (N.C.); (A.G.); (D.S.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (N.C.); (A.G.); (D.S.); (S.L.G.)
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50
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Novel CBG Derivatives Can Reduce Inflammation, Pain and Obesity. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185601. [PMID: 34577072 PMCID: PMC8467477 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in CBG (cannabigerol) has been growing in the past few years, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and other therapeutic benefits. Here we report the synthesis of three new CBG derivatives (HUM-223, HUM-233 and HUM-234) and show them to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In addition, unlike CBG, HUM-234 also prevents obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The metabolic state of the treated mice on HFD is significantly better than that of vehicle-treated mice, and their liver slices show significantly less steatosis than untreated HFD or CBG-treated ones from HFD mice. We believe that HUM-223, HUM-233 and HUM-234 have the potential for development as novel drug candidates for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, and in the case of HUM-234, potentially for obesity where there is a huge unmet need.
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