Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kenneth B. Walsh, Amanda E. McKinney, Andrea E. Holmes
Summary: The medicinal use of cannabis has a long history, with recent breakthroughs in understanding the pharmacology of minor cannabinoids showing potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of various conditions. Although studies demonstrate their agonist and antagonist activities at multiple targets, further research is needed to fully understand their pharmacological mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Tibor M. Brunt, Matthijs G. Bossong
Summary: The endocannabinoid system is a complex neuronal system involved in various biological functions, and its understanding has been driven by the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoid ligands. This review provides an overview of the neuropharmacology of cannabinoid receptor ligands, including endocannabinoids, herbal cannabis, and synthetic cannabinoids, focusing on their modulatory actions through other neurotransmitter systems. The effects of cannabinoid ligands on neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, noradrenaline, opioid, and GABA are discussed, as well as their therapeutic potential and adverse effects.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Krzysztof Minczuk, Marta Baranowska-Kuczko, Anna Krzyzewska, Eberhard Schlicker, Barbara Malinowska
Summary: (English Summary:)
This review explores the cross-talk between the (endo)cannabinoid and renin-angiotensin systems, focusing on the effects of CB1 receptor activation and blockade on AT(1) receptor-mediated responses. It also discusses the modulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 by phytocannabinoids and the potential therapeutic implications of targeting both systems. Further research is needed to elucidate the interaction between the protective axis of the RAS and the endocannabinoid system, the influence of Ang II on endocannabinoid system components, and the physiological significance of AT(1)R-CB1R heteromerization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Martina Rabino, Sara Mallia, Elisa Castiglioni, Davide Rovina, Giulio Pompilio, Aoife Gowran
Summary: The endocannabinoid system is a complex and diverse regulatory network, with alterations and dysfunctions observed in almost every category of disease. Shifting attitudes toward cannabis not only bring new therapeutic prospects, but also raise other issues.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kanikkai Raja Aseer, Josephine M. Egan
Summary: Endocannabinoids (ECs) are produced in the periphery where they regulate various physiological processes, including energy storage, glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin secretion and synthesis, and hepatocyte function. Within the islet of Langerhans, there is an autonomous EC system (ECS) that influences beta-cell responses to stressors primarily through the CB1 receptor. Further research is needed to understand the therapeutic potential of targeting EC/CB1R and CB2R in treating diabetes and obesity.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mei Jin, Jian Fang, Jiao-jiao Wang, Xin Shao, Suo-wen Xu, Pei-qing Liu, Wen-cai Ye, Zhi-ping Liu
Summary: Atherosclerosis, a life-threatening cardiovascular disease, is associated with chronic inflammation and immune processes. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a vital role in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Targeting TLRs and their regulated inflammatory events could be a promising new strategy for the treatment of atherosclerotic CVDs.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aleksandra Kicman, Anna Pedzinska-Betiuk, Hanna Kozlowska
Summary: Cannabinoids are being considered as potential compounds for the treatment of respiratory diseases due to their beneficial properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-fibrotic effects exerted through CB1 and CB2 receptors. Research has shown positive effects of cannabinoids in the respiratory system, but few studies have explored the negative impacts of these compounds.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor Voicu, Felix-Mircea Brehar, Corneliu Toader, Razvan-Adrian Covache-Busuioc, Antonio Daniel Corlatescu, Andrei Bordeianu, Horia Petre Costin, Bogdan-Gabriel Bratu, Luca-Andrei Glavan, Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
Summary: This review comprehensively explores the background, types, and relationship of cannabinoids with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, as well as clinical applications and prospects, demonstrating the importance of cannabinoids in modern medicine.
Review
Neurosciences
Mengya Wang, Huayuan Liu, Zegang Ma
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease influenced by the cannabinoid system in the basal ganglia. Modulating the endogenous cannabinoid levels can have an anti-movement disorder effect, suggesting the development of drugs targeting the cannabinoid system as a novel strategy for Parkinson's disease treatment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahlam Fatmi, Wiam Saadi, Jesus Beltran-Garcia, Jose Luis Garcia-Gimenez, Federico Pallardo
Summary: Sepsis in newborns, especially preterm-born neonates, carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) shedding is an essential pathophysiological process in sepsis, contributing to microvascular dysfunction and organ failure. These processes have been extensively studied in adults, but are poorly understood in neonatal sepsis. Further research is needed to understand the composition, development, and mechanisms of eGC disruption in neonates, and to explore eGC dysfunction as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Maycon Eduardo Matias, Thiago Rodrigues da Silva, Ana Maria Raymundi, Cristina Aparecida Jark Stern, Aleksander Roberto Zampronio
Summary: This study examined whether rats that survived sepsis develop the generalization of fear memory as a model of PTSD, and evaluated the effectiveness of interventions targeting the ET-1/cannabinoid system and glial activation in the early stages of sepsis.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Mariantonia Braile, Leonardo Cristinziano, Simone Marcella, Gilda Varricchi, Giancarlo Marone, Luca Modestino, Anne Lise Ferrara, Agnese De Ciuceis, Sara Scala, Maria Rosaria Galdiero, Stefania Loffredo
Summary: Neutrophils play a central role in inflammation and tumor angiogenesis by releasing angiogenic factors. This study found that CB agonists can modulate the release of VEGF-A from LPS-activated PMNs, indicating a potential novel therapeutic strategy for patients with sepsis.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Toni Kline, Cong Xu, Faith R. Kreitzer, Dow P. Hurst, Khalil M. Eldeeb, Jim Wager-Miller, Kathleen Olivas, Seon A. Hepburn, John W. Huffman, Ken Mackie, Allyn C. Howlett, Patricia Reggio, Nephi Stella
Summary: The author synthesized fourteen novel alkylindole analogues and evaluated their activities at alkylindole-sensitive GPCRs. They found three characteristics that favor binding to alkylindole-sensitive GPCRs versus CB1R/CB2R and identified novel chemical tools for studying alkylindole-sensitive GPCRs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Adriana Dominguez-Flores, Gloria M. Rodriguez Lopez, Rodolfo Soria-Castro, Ruben Lopez-Santiago, Octavio Rodriguez-Cortes, Sonia M. Perez-Tapia, Alma D. Chavez-Blanco, Sergio Estrada-Parra, Raul Flores-Mejia, Rommel Chacon-Salinas
Summary: Brucella abortus, a Gram-negative bacteria, is a major cause of brucellosis in animals and humans. This study analyzed the role of innate immune receptors TLR2 and TLR4 in mast cell activation during B. abortus infection. The results showed that B. abortus induced the synthesis of several cytokines and activated key cell signaling molecules in mast cells. Blockade of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors decreased the release of TNF-alpha and IL-6 by mast cells in response to B. abortus. Overall, mast cells are activated by B. abortus and may contribute to the inflammatory response during the initial phase of the infection.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lukasz Zapala, Grzegorz Niemczyk, Piotr Zapala, Artur Wdowiak, Iwona Bojar, Tomasz Kluz, Aleksandra Szopa, Anna Serefko, Piotr Radziszewski, Andrzej Wrobel
Summary: This paper aimed to investigate whether the selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist ACEA could reverse the effects of corticosterone (CORT) on depressive and overactive bladder potential. Through experiments on 48 female rats, it was found that ACEA could restore CORT-induced bladder dysfunction and depressive behavior, as well as regulate urine and other biomarkers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)