Best of the Week...
A new study from CV Sciences shows CBD reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms in rats
Cannabidiol reduces withdrawal symptoms in nicotine-dependent rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33909102/
CV Sciences medical adviser Dr. Jamie Corroon publishes a primer for clinicians on using topical CBD for pain
Topical CBD for Pain: A primer for clinicians
https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2021-07/topical-cbd-pain
In a rat model of neuropathic pain, CBD helped on several different measures of pain & anxiety
Cannabidiol effectively reverses mechanical and thermal allodynia, hyperalgesia, and anxious behaviors in a neuropathic pain model: Possible role of CB1 and TRPV1 receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34274349/
In a rodent model of depression, CBD prevented “both behavioral & neuro-immunological changes associated” with depression as well as modulating neuroinflammation
Cannabidiol prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced sickness behavior and alters cytokine and neurotrophic factor levels in the brain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34218397/
In rats with nerve injuries, CBD helped with pain & symptoms of depression via the serotonin receptors & CB1 receptors
Cannabidiol in the prelimbic cortex modulates the comorbid condition between the chronic neuropathic pain and depression-like behaviour in rats: The role of medial prefrontal cortex 5-HT 1A and CB 1 receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34192579/
In mice, CBD helped to reduce binge eating behavior
Cannabidiol reduces binge eating behavior in mice
https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/332343
In rats addicted to methamphetamine, CBD protected the brain from damage
Cannabidiol Modulates the Expression of Neurotrophin Signaling Pathway in Chronic Exposure Methamphetamine Rats During Abstinence Period
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-2009-en.html
In a mouse model of post-surgical pain, β-Caryophyllene (the terpene most often found in the hemp plant) inhibited the MAGL enzyme & thus increased 2-AG levels to help treat the pain
β-Caryophyllene inhibits monoacylglycerol lipase activity and increases 2-AG levels: a new mechanism of endocannabinoid-mediated analgesia?
https://www.authorea.com/doi/full/10.22541/au.162539258.80061327
β-Caryophyllene is often referred to as a dietary cannabinoid because it activates the CB2 receptor all by itself. It was the first ligand of a cannabinoid receptor to come from the plant that was fundamentally different from the classic cannabinoid structure.
Clinical Studies & Reviews of CBD & the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
In humans, a test of CBD for pain found it safe & well-tolerated
The dose-dependent analgesic effects, abuse liability, safety and tolerability of oral cannabidiol in healthy humans
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34223660/
In humans with PTSD, the ability of exercise to help reduce threat expectancy is mediated via anandamide & BDNF (an important brain growth factor regulated by the ECS)
Exercise-induced increases in Anandamide and BDNF during extinction consolidation contribute to reduced threat following reinstatement: Preliminary evidence from a randomized controlled trial
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453021002298
A review of why the cannabinoids can be helpful for the neurological consequences of HIV
Confound, Cause, or Cure: The Effect of Cannabinoids on HIV-Associated Neurological Sequelae
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34206839/
In humans with Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (a rare genetic disorder leading to fatal adult scarring of the heart), treatment with MRI-1867 (a dual inhibitor of the CB1 receptor & enzyme that creates the signaling molecule nitric oxide) prevented heart scarring & revered dysfunction of the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell)
CB1R and iNOS are distinct players promoting pulmonary fibrosis in Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8255071/
Preclinical Research & Cannabinoid Chemistry
In mice, CBD helped to modulate the addictive effects of the psychostimulant MDPV
Cannabidiol Modulates the Motivational and Anxiety-Like Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in Mice
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202106.0642/v1
A new screening of THC & CBD against the CYP liver enzymes responsible for drug metabolism
Cannabinoid Interactions with Cytochrome P450 Drug Metabolism: a Full-Spectrum Characterization
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181150/
In rats with depression from traumatic nerve pain, the injury seems to lower the levels of cannabinoids & lead to behavioral depression
Dynamic Change of Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Controls the Development of Depression after Neuropathic Pain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34244365/
In rats, activating the CB2 receptor helped to protect against uterine damage
The Activation of Cannabinoid Type-2 Receptor with JWH-133 Protects Uterine Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Damage
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33105141/
In a rat model of glaucoma, activating the cannabinoid receptors protected the neurons associated with vision
VSN16S, an agonist of the cannabinoid receptor, reduces IOP profiles and exhibits neuroprotective properties in a rat model of glaucoma
https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2775346
In a cellular model of diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels at the back of the eye), activating the CB2 receptor decreased inflammation
Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonist HU-308 Demonstrates Therapeutic Potential in Inflammatory Diabetic Retinopathy Models
https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2776401
In mice, the brain’s medium spiny neurons – which contain the highest levels of CB1 receptors in the CNS – control exploration & motor coordination partially via the ECS
Control of exploration, motor coordination and amphetamine sensitization by cannabinoid CB 1 receptors expressed in medium spiny neurons
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34216157/
In a rat’s aorta, the drug affinin (a painkiller with a structure similar to anandamide) appears to act via the CB1, TRPV1 & TRPA1 receptors to cause vasodilation in the heart
Endothelial TRP channels and cannabinoid receptors are involved in affinin-induced vasodilation