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Research Roundup: Jan 31, 2022




Best of the Week...


In lung cells, CBD & its metabolite 7-OH-CBD potently blocked the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting viral gene expression & upregulating antiviral signaling. “A cohort of human patients previously taking CBD had significantly lower SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence”

Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Promotes the Host Innate Immune Response

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33758843/

In children with autism, the use of low doses of CBD & trace amounts of THC (a 20:1 ratio) decreased behavioral problems, improved cognition & increased social interactions

CBD-enriched cannabis for autism spectrum disorder: an experience of a single center in Turkey and reviews of the literature

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34911567/

In children with autism, treatment with cannabis caused 65 biomarkers to shift towards more typical development

Cannabis-Responsive Biomarkers: A Pharmacometabolomics-Based Application to Evaluate the Impact of Medical Cannabis Treatment on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34874191/

The Michael J Fox Foundation released the results of a survey on the use of cannabinoid products for Parkinson’s disease & they reported using more CBD products

Higher risk, higher reward? Self-reported effects of real-world cannabis use in Parkinson's disease

https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mdc3.13414

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/mjff-survey-results-people-parkinsons-share-experiences-cannabis

In a tissue model of Alzheimer’s disease, CBD lowered the aggregation of the tau proteins

Cannabidiol Inhibits Tau Aggregation In Vitro

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34944028/


Clinical Studies & Surveys of CBD & the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

In humans with tuberous sclerosis complex (the growth of many non-cancerous tumors, often resulting in seizures), the long-term use of CBD as an add-on was found to be safe, well-tolerated & to sustainably reduce seizures

Long-term cannabidiol treatment for seizures in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex: An open-label extension trial

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34957550/

In humans with drug-resistant epilepsy, the long-term use of CBD improved quality of life, controlled seizures & improved cognitive & behavioral functions

Long-Term Impact in the Quality of Life of Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy That Use Cannabidiol

https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=113815

This survey shows much interest from caregivers about using CBD to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Cannabidiol (CBD) Use among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34903213/

In humans with borderline & antisocial personality disorders, the strength of the binding of their FAAH enzymes was correlated with neuroticism

Higher trait neuroticism is associated with greater fatty acid amide hydrolase binding in borderline and antisocial personality disorders

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35064143/

In a case series of 10 children with severe treatment resistant epilepsy, medical cannabis reduced seizure frequency by 86%

Medical cannabis for severe treatment resistant epilepsy in children: a case-series of 10 patients

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8689159/

In a survey of military veterans with persistent symptoms after a mild traumatic brain injuries, the self-reported reasons for cannabis use include “neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep disturbances, and pain for which standard treatments (both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic) provided insufficient relief”

Cannabis Use in a Cohort of Healthcare-Seeking United States Military Veterans With Persisting Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Preliminary Observations

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35064271/

In humans with chronic back pain, the use of medical cannabis reduced opioid prescriptions

Medical Cannabis Use Reduces Opioid Prescriptions in Patients With Chronic Back Pain

https://www.cureus.com/articles/82949-medical-cannabis-use-reduces-opioid-prescriptions-in-patients-with-chronic-back-pain


A survey of chronic pain patients finds medical cannabis certification associated with decreased opiate use

Medical Cannabis Certification Is Associated With Decreased Opiate Use in Patients With Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Delaware

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35004055/


In patients with arthritis of the thumb, many of them found topical & oral cannabis helpful

Assessment of Medical Cannabis in Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Thumb Basal Joint

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34893392/

A survey of ER doctors finds that they prefer cannabis over opioids as a first line treatment if studies found them equally effective for that medical condition

Emergency Medicine Physicians Would Prefer Using Cannabis Over Opioids for First-Line Treatment of a Medical Condition if Provided With Medical Evidence: A National Survey

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34926086

In young adults using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, the use of cannabis had no negative effects on the efficacy of the treatment

Cannabis use as a moderator of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34870584/

In humans with benign essential blepharospasm (a rare neurological disorder of the eyes), medical cannabis drops greatly reduced the length of eye spasms

Medical cannabis oil for benign essential blepharospasm: a prospective, randomized controlled pilot study

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35067772/

In humans, this Phase 1 trial looks at using a nanoparticle-based oral spray for THC

A Phase I Trial to Determine the Pharmacokinetics, Psychotropic Effects, and Safety Profile of a Novel Nanoparticle-Based Cannabinoid Spray for Oromucosal Delivery

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357917955_A_Phase_I_Trial_to_Determine_the_Pharmacokinetics_Psychotropic_Effects_and_Safety_Profile_of_a_Novel_Nanoparticle-Based_Cannabinoid_Spray_for_Oromucosal_Delivery



Recent Reviews


This review looks at treating methamphetamine addiction with CBD

Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol on Methamphetamine Abuse: A Review of Preclinical Study

http://ijpr.sbmu.ac.ir/article_1101571_0f8c7d245a84e31aa5d730561d5b858e.pdf

This review looks at the potential of CBD for treating cardiovascular diseases

The Potential of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

https://www.sciresliterature.org/Cardiovascular/IJCDD-ID47.pdf

This review looks at the effects of exercise on the endocannabinoid system

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Exercise on the Endocannabinoid System

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34870469/

This review looks at the use of cannabinoids to help with the effects of chemotherapy: nausea, pain & brain fog

Cannabinoid drugs against chemotherapy-induced adverse effects: focus on nausea/vomiting, peripheral neuropathy and chemofog in animal models

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35045012/

This review of preclinical evidence suggests than cannabinoids should be investigated for treating ocular pain

Is there a rational basis for cannabinoids research and development in ocular pain therapy? A systematic review of preclinical evidence

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34891121/

This review looks at using novel visualization methods to learn more about the mysteries of the endocannabinoid system

Imaging the endocannabinoid signaling system

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34921843/

An interesting review of the effects of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system (with a strong history section & a breakdown of the main cannabinoids)

Marijuana, a Journey through the Endocannabinoid System: Unmasking the Paradoxical Effect

https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/80021



Preclinical Research & Cannabinoid Chemistry

In a tissue model of refractory epilepsy, CBD caused anti-inflammatory effects in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (the most abundant circulating immune cells, a first line of immune defense)

Cannabidiol (CBD) Alters the Functionality of Neutrophils (PMN). Implications in the Refractory Epilepsy Treatment

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33807975/

In this industry study using two cancer cell lines, CBD lowered cell proliferation in both cell types & THC in one of them

ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF CANNABINOIDS IN HUMAN CELL LINES

https://iris.unito.it/retrieve/handle/2318/1833737/917439/Gallicchio.pdf

In this study, CBD helps the antibiotic bacitracin to work better & finds that it’s by increasing production of menaquinone (Vitamin K2)

The menaquinone pathway is important for susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to the antibiotic adjuvant, cannabidiol

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35091344/

In mice with neuropathic pain from chemotherapy treatment, a CBD analog reduced mechanical & cold allodynia (pain from extreme sensitivity) via the PPARγ receptors which regulate genetic transcription

The Cannabidiol Analog PECS-101 Prevents Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain via PPARγ Receptors

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34904193/

In slices from the hippocampus of rats, THC – but not CBD – changed the shape of the neurons & astrocytes

Neuronal and Astrocytic Morphological Alterations Driven by Prolonged Exposure with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol but Not Cannabidiol

https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/10/2/48/htm

At mouse motor synapses, AEA & 2-AG cause the release of acetylcholine & an increase of activity

Noncanonical Potentiation of Evoked Quantal Release of Acetylcholine by Cannabinoids Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in Mouse Motor Synapses

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S199074782106012X

In bone stem cells, activating the CB1 receptor reduced inflammation, enhanced calcium deposition & increased the bone growth phenotype

Influence of Medical Marijuana on Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Osteogenesis: An in Vitro Study

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2473011421S00447

In a tissue model of periodontitis, activating the CB1 receptor improved bone growth & increased energy metabolism

The cannabinoid receptor I (CB1) enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by rescue impaired mitochondrial metabolism function under inflammatory condition

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35063024/

In mice with uremia (raised levels of urine which causes intestinal injuries), electroacupuncture protected the intestinal barrier via the CB1 receptors

Protection of Intestinal Barrier in Uremic Mice by Electroacupuncture via Regulating the Cannabinoid 1 Receptor of the Intestinal Glial Cells

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34906281/

In slides of rodent brains, cannabis terpenes show anti-seizure activity

Cannabis terpenes demonstrate acute anti-seizure activity in rodent brain slices in vitro

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1736878

In a mouse model of dry eye syndrome, the topical application of different cannabinoids reduced inflammation, protected corneal nerves & maintained cornea sensitivity

Topical application of cannabinoid-ligands ameliorates experimental dry-eye disease

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34922011/

In tadpoles, the CB1 receptor regulates the growth of the neurons of the eyes

Cannabinoid 1 Receptor CBIR regulates growth cone filopodia and axon dispersion in the optic tract of Xenopus laevis tadpoles

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35060216/

In rats, these researchers followed the tissue distribution levels of the major cannabinoids after an intraperitoneal injection (into the body cavity)

Short communication: Tissue distribution of major cannabinoids following intraperitoneal injection in male rats

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35045097/

Using fungi growing on cannabis to biotransform cannabinoids

Biotranformation of cannabidiol by Cannabis sativa endophytic fungi

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1736979

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