Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Harmeet Gurm, Jeremy A. Hirota, Sandeep Raha
Summary: Despite its intricate involvement in various physiological processes, the endocannabinoid system remains one of the most under-studied biological systems in the human body. Cannabinoid receptors are widely distributed in reproductive tissues and are crucial for regulating immune-reproductive interactions, while excessive cannabis use during pregnancy may lead to clinical complications.
Review
Physiology
Raquel Maria P. Campos, Andrey F. L. Aguiar, Yolanda Paes-Colli, Priscila Martins Pinheiro Trindade, Bruna K. Ferreira, Ricardo A. de Melo Reis, Luzia S. Sampaio
Summary: Chronic neuropathic pain, caused by nerve system damage and persistent long-term, directly impacts quality of life. Endocannabinoid system plays a pivotal role in its development. Plant-derived, synthetic, and endocannabinoids are efficient for pain management.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Andrea S. Heimann, Camila S. Dale, Francisco S. Guimaraes, Ricardo A. M. Reis, Ami Navon, Michal A. Shmuelov, Vanessa Rioli, Ivone Gomes, Lakshmi L. Devi, Emer S. Ferro
Summary: Hemopressin, derived from hemoglobin alpha-chain, exhibits diverse cannabinoid receptor activities and may have pharmacological effects by interacting with intracellular mitochondrial cannabinoid receptors. The peptide influences physiological processes such as pain, inflammation, appetite, learning, and memory, and shows potential applications in drug delivery systems.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kangtai Xu, Yifei Wu, Zhuangzhuang Tian, Yuanfan Xu, Chaoran Wu, Zilong Wang
Summary: Pain, especially chronic pain, has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Cannabinoids have shown potent analgesic effects in preclinical pain models by acting as agonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors. While the activation of CB1 receptors is associated with psychotropic adverse effects, the promising target for pain treatment is the CB2 receptors primarily expressed in immune cells. Microglia, as resident immune cells in the central nervous system, play a critical role in chronic pain, and CB2 receptors regulate their activity and function. This review focuses on the role of microglial CB2 receptors in spinal nociceptive circuitry and their implications for selective CB2 receptor agonist-mediated analgesia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta De Felice, Steven R. Laviolette
Summary: Neurodevelopmental exposure to THC is associated with long-term psychopathological outcomes, including increased risk of schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, and cognitive impairments. Research has identified underlying neuropathophysiological sequelae and mechanisms that may explain the increased vulnerability to psychiatric risks associated with THC, particularly after adolescent cannabis exposure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Hirva K. Bhatt, Dana Song, Gyen Musgrave, P. S. S. Rao
Summary: Natural cannabinoids have been used for medicinal purposes by humans for thousands of years, with their anti-inflammatory effects well-documented. The pharmacological effects of cannabinoids are mediated through modulation of CB1 and CB2 receptors, while miRNA expression plays a key role in the immune system's response to cannabinoids.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Belle Buzzi, Eda Koseli, Lauren Moncayo, Mohammed Shoaib, M. Imad Damaj
Summary: Cannabis is widely used worldwide and there is no approved treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD). Co-use of nicotine and cannabis suggests overlapping neurobiological actions, supported by their receptor systems in the brain. Studying nicotinic receptors may help understand cannabinoid dependence, with different subtypes potentially modulating different effects of cannabinoids. Clinical and genetic studies indicate potential involvement of alpha 5, alpha 3, and beta 4 nAChR subunits, while the alpha 2 subunit is strongly implicated in CUD susceptibility. Current smoking cessation agents may also be beneficial in treating CUD, but further controlled studies are needed. Additional research is necessary to investigate the role of nAChR in the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hina Khan, Fareeha Khalid Ghori, Uzma Ghani, Aneela Javed, Saadia Zahid
Summary: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by immune responses damaging nerve cells, and cannabinoids have the potential to effectively treat it.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Ahmed Hasbi, Bertha K. K. Madras, Susan R. R. George
Summary: There is a growing trend of using cannabis-based preparations for medical and recreational purposes. This review explores the association between depression and anxiety and the dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system, as well as the potential use of cannabinoids in treating these conditions. However, recent systematic reviews have found weak evidence and low-quality research supporting the use of cannabinoids for depressive and anxiety disorders. There is a need for high-quality studies to examine the effects and risks of long-term cannabinoid use.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Vuic, Tina Milos, Lucija Tudor, Marcela Konjevod, Matea Nikolac Perkovic, Maja Jazvinscak Jembrek, Gordana Nedic Erjavec, Dubravka Svob Strac
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by protein aggregation in the brain, can be influenced by the activation of CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Studies suggest that activating CB2 receptors has potential benefits in reducing protein aggregation-based pathology, attenuating inflammation, and alleviating dementia-related symptoms.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dalal AlKhelb, Emily L. Burke, Alexander Zvonok, Christos Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas, Markos-Orestis Georgiadis, Shan Jiang, Thanh C. Ho, Spyros P. Nikas, Alexandros Makriyannis, Rajeev I. Desai
Summary: This study aimed to compare the behavioral effects of different cannabinoid (CB) ligands using drug discrimination methods. The results showed that AM411 and AM4089 exhibit better pharmacological profiles compared to A9-THC, including higher potency and in vivo partial agonist-like actions mediated via CB1 receptors.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandru Vasincu, Razvan-Nicolae Rusu, Daniela-Carmen Ababei, Monica Neamtu, Oana Dana Arcan, Ioana Macadan, Sorin Beschea Chiriac, Walther Bild, Veronica Bild
Summary: Recent research has expanded our knowledge of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its therapeutic applications. Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) play a vital role in various physiological processes and are closely related to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders. Preclinical investigations using peripherally restricted CBR antagonists have shown promise for treating these conditions, highlighting the importance of discovering novel molecules with better safety profiles.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Daniel Gundel, Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Lea Ueberham, Sarandeep Kaur, Elina Otikova, Rodrigo Teodoro, Magali Toussaint, Thu Hang Lai, Oliver Clauss, Matthias Scheunemann, Guy Bormans, Michael Bachmann, Klaus Kopka, Peter Brust, Rares-Petru Moldovan
Summary: The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) is an ideal target for the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. This study introduces a novel F-18-labeled radioligand that can efficiently image upregulated CB2R expression.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Nuchjira Takheaw, Kanyaruck Jindaphun, Supansa Pata, Witida Laopajon, Watchara Kasinrerk
Summary: Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) are important components of the endocannabinoid system, which regulate immune responses. This study investigated the effects of CB1 selective agonist ACEA and CB2 selective agonist GW833972A on T cell responses. The results showed that both agonists inhibited T cell proliferation and down-regulated activation markers and co-stimulatory molecules on T cells, B cells, and monocytes in different ways. GW833972A also suppressed the cytotoxic activities of CD8(+) T cells without affecting CD4(+) T cells and NK cells. Moreover, only the CB2 agonist caused a reduction in Th1 cytokine production. These findings suggest that the CB1 and CB2 agonists may have therapeutic potential in modulating T cell function in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Arnau Busquets-Garcia, Miriam Melis, Luigi Bellocchio, Giovanni Marsicano
Summary: This article introduces the wide expression and regulatory functions of the endocannabinoid system in both the brain and the periphery. It discusses the distribution of cannabinoid receptors in different cell types and compartments, and highlights the different cellular or molecular effects mediated by these receptors. The article also mentions the expression of the endocannabinoid system throughout the body and its role in modulating the connection between the brain and the periphery. Lastly, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the cannabinoid receptors structure and pharmacology for the development of novel allosteric modulators.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
