Chemical Characteristics, Therapeutic Uses, and Legal Aspects of the Cannabinoids of Cannabis sativa: A Review

Abstract Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is an important annual medicinal plant that belongs to the Cannabaceae family. It contains 421 substances of 18 chemical types-the most significant compound is δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which causes several effects, both in the Central Nervous System and in several peripheral locations in the organism. The objectives of this scientific review are to mention the anatomical distribution, chemical characteristics and biosynthesis of cannabinoids, as well as its actions mechanisms. The endogenous cannabinoid system, the therapeutic properties of C. sativa and its action on the nociceptive control are described. Finally, the modulators of the cannabinoid system in clinical use are indicated, together with marijuana legalization benefits.

The influence of CM pathway AEA in human glioma U251 cell proliferation and apoptosis / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the role of ceramide pathway in cell proliferation and early apoptosis induction in U251 glioma cell after cannabinoid receptora agent anandmide(AEA)treatment.Methods U251 gliom cells were treated with AEA(1-10 μmol/L),Ceramide(5-20 μmol/L) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) (10 μmol/L) pretreatment.The growth inhibition rate of U251 was investigated by MTT assay.The early events of the apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry using annexin-V/propium iodide(PI) double staining method.Results Different concentrations of AEA inhibited the proliferation of human glioma U251 cells,and had synergistic effect with CM by FB1(10 μmol/L)pretreatment for 24 h.After exposure to AEA(10 μmol/L)for 24 h,U251 gliomacells could undergo the early cell apoptosis which was affected by FB1(10 μmol/L).Conclusion AEA through the CM de novo synthesis pathway,and CM concentration was lazy in collaboration,thus inhibiting human glioma U251 cell proliferation and induce early apoptosis.

The development of cannabidiol as a psychiatric therapeutic: a review of its antipsychotic efficacy and possible underlying pharmacodynamic mechanisms.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a once-considered inert cannabis constituent, is one of two primary constituents of cannabis, alongside delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC/THC). In the last 30 years, CBD has become implicated with a range of pharmaceutical mechanisms of great therapeutic interest and utility. This review details the literature speculating CBD’s attenuation of psychotic symptoms, particularly in light of a marked elevation in mean THC concentrations, and a concomitant decline in CBD concentrations in the prevalent U.K street market cannabis derivatives since c. 2000. CBD is purported to exhibit pharmacology akin to established atypical antipsychotics, whilst THC has been implicated with the precipitation of psychosis, and the induction of associated symptoms. The aim of the review was to clarify the conjecture surrounding CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy, before going on to detail prominent theories about its associated pharmacodynamics. Were CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy established, then there is potential for major latent anthropological repercussions to manifest, such as significant elevations in psychosis manifestations in the U.K. The review found a largely affirmative body of evidence asserting CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy. CBD exhibited capacity to attenuate natural and artificially induced psychoses in both animal and human cohorts, the latter of which included individuals considered resistant to conventional treatment. CBD also shows promising potential for use as an antipsychotic drug for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with psychosis, owing to its low rate of extra-pyramidal side-effect induction. A range of potential pharmacological mechanisms behind CBD’s neuroleptic pharmacology are outlined, with particular emphasis on its prevention of the hydrolysis and reuptake of the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide. However, given the nebular aetiological basis for psychoses, explicit conclusions on how CBD attenuates psychotic symptoms remains to be determined.

Fine-tuning of defensive behaviors in the dorsal periaqueductal gray by atypical neurotransmitters

This paper presents an up-to-date review of the evidence indicating that atypical neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO) and endocannabinoids (eCBs) play an important role in the regulation of aversive responses in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Among the results supporting this role, several studies have shown that inhibitors of neuronal NO synthase or cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor agonists cause clear anxiolytic responses when injected into this region. The nitrergic and eCB systems can regulate the activity of classical neurotransmitters such as glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that control PAG activity. We propose that they exert a ‘fine-tuning’ regulatory control of defensive responses in this area. This control, however, is probably complex, which may explain the usually bell-shaped dose-response curves observed with drugs that act on NO- or CB1-mediated neurotransmission. Even if the mechanisms responsible for this complex interaction are still poorly understood, they are beginning to be recognized. For example, activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 channel (TRPV1) receptors by anandamide seems to counteract the anxiolytic effects induced by CB1 receptor activation caused by this compound. Further studies, however, are needed to identify other mechanisms responsible for this fine-tuning effect.

Dose-response effects of systemic anandamide administration in mice sequentially submitted to the open field and elevated plus-maze tests

The endocannabinoid system is involved in the control of many physiological functions, including the control of emotional states. In rodents, previous exposure to an open field increases the anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus-maze. Anxiolytic-like effects of pharmacological compounds that increase endocannabinoid levels have been well documented. However, these effects are more evident in animals with high anxiety levels. Several studies have described characteristic inverted U-shaped dose-response effects of drugs that modulate the endocannabinoid levels. However, there are no studies showing the effects of different doses of exogenous anandamide, an endocannabinoid, in animal models of anxiety. Thus, in the present study, we determined the dose-response effects of exogenous anandamide at doses of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg in C57BL/6 mice (N = 10/group) sequentially submitted to the open field and elevated plus-maze. Anandamide was diluted in 0.9 percent saline, ethyl alcohol, Emulphor® (18:1:1) and administered ip (0.1 mL/10 g body weight); control animals received the same volume of anandamide vehicle. Anandamide at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg (but not of 0.01 or 1 mg/kg) increased (P < 0.05) the time spent and the distance covered in the central zone of the open field, as well as the exploration of the open arms of the elevated plus-maze. Thus, exogenous anandamide, like pharmacological compounds that increase endocannabinoid levels, promoted a characteristic inverted U-shaped dose-response effect in animal models of anxiety. Furthermore, anandamide (0.1 mg/kg) induced an anxiolytic-like effect in the elevated plus-maze (P < 0.05) after exposing the animals to the open field test.

Anandamide injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain inhibits submandibular salivary secretion by attenuating parasympathetic neurotransmission

Our objective was to determine the effect of arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA) injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain on submandibular gland (SMG) salivary secretion. Parasympathetic decentralization (PSD) produced by cutting the chorda tympani nerve strongly inhibited methacholine (MC)-induced salivary secretion while sympathetic denervation (SD) produced by removing the superior cervical ganglia reduced it slightly. Also, AEA (50 ng/5 µL, icv) significantly decreased MC-induced salivary secretion in intact rats (MC 1 µg/kg: control (C), 5.3 ± 0.6 vs AEA, 2.7 ± 0.6 mg; MC 3 µg/kg: C, 17.6 ± 1.0 vs AEA, 8.7 ± 0.9 mg; MC 10 µg/kg: C, 37.4 ± 1.2 vs AEA, 22.9 ± 2.6 mg). However, AEA did not alter the significantly reduced salivary secretion in rats with PSD, but decreased the slightly reduced salivary secretion in rats with SD (MC 1 µg/kg: C, 3.8 ± 0.8 vs AEA, 1.4 ± 0.6 mg; MC 3 µg/kg: C, 14.7 ± 2.4 vs AEA, 6.9 ± 1.2 mg; P < 0.05; MC 10 µg/kg: C, 39.5 ± 1.0 vs AEA, 22.3 ± 0.5 mg; P < 0.001). We showed that the inhibitory effect of AEA is mediated by cannabinoid type 1 CB1 receptors and involves GABAergic neurotransmission, since it was blocked by previous injection of the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (500 ng/5 µL, icv) or of the GABA A receptor antagonist, bicuculline (25 ng/5 µL, icv). Our results suggest that parasympathetic neurotransmission from the central nervous system to the SMG can be inhibited by endocannabinoid and GABAergic systems.

Endocannabinoids Anandamide and Its Cannabinoid Receptors in Liver Fibrosis after Murine Schistosomiasis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined endogenous cannabinoid (ECB)-anandamide (AEA) and its can-nabinoid receptors (CBR) in mice liver with the development of schistosomajaponicum.Mice were infected with schistosoma by means of pasting the cercaria onto their abdomens.Liver fibrosis was pathologically confirmed nine weeks after the infection.High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the concentration of AEA in the plasma of mice.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of CBR 1 and CBR2 in liver tissue.Morphological examination showed typical pathological changes,with worm tubercles of schistosoma deposited in the liver tissue,fibrosis around the worm tubercles and infiltration or soakage ofinfiammatory cells.Also,CBRI and CBR2 were present in hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoids of the two groups,but they were obviously enhanced in the schistosoma-infected mice.However,the average optical density of CBR1 in the negative control and fibrosis group was 13.28±7.32 and 30.55±7.78,and CBR2 were 28.13±6.42 and 52.29±4.24 (P<0.05).The levels of AEA in the fibrosis group were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group.The concentrations of AEA were (0.37±0.07) and (5.67±1.34) ng/mL (P<0.05).It is concluded that the expression of endocannabinoids AEA and its cannabinoid receptor CBR were significantly increased in schistosoma-infected mice.Endogenous endocannabinoids may be involved in the development of schistosoma-induced liver fibrosis.

Neurobiology of cannabis addiction.

Cannabis has emerged as a common substance of abuse and dependence and the peculiarities associated with this widely available and used substance has triggered substantial research in this field. The earlier held concept of rather benign nature of this compound as a substance of abuse and dependence has changed as a result of the ongoing clinical and research findings. Cannabis has been found to have multiple physical and mental effects in human beings. But still a lot remains to be answered regarding the basis for the development of dependence on cannabis. However, the discovery of various cannabis receptors and their endogenous and synthetic ligands have added fuel to the ever growing interest in this substance. Various hypotheses have been postulated in this regard based on the findings of both the animal and human studies which serve as potential explanations to the observations. These findings have helped in the better understanding of the issue and have provided substrate for the clinical application.

Advances in the Anandamide / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide), an arachidonic acid derivative, is an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors, which are m embers of the G protein (Gi)-coupled receptors family. Ananamide is mainly foun d in central nervous system, immune system and uterus etc and mimics most of the effects of (－)Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinoid ［(－)Δ9-THC］, a psyco active derivative of marijuana. Fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which is inv olved in hydrolyzing anandamide to arachidonic acid and ethanolamide, may quickl y regulate level of anandamide in vivo.

Effect and mechanism of Anandamide on the proliferation of human lung cancer A549 cell line / 中国药理学通报

Aim The effect of N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide(Anandamide,AEA),on the human lung cancer cell A549 was analysed the possible mechanism was detected.Methods To assess the sensitivity of A549 to AEA,A549 cells were exposed to increasing doses of AEA with or without the antagonists to vanilloid receptor 1(VR1) and aspirin.MTT methods were employed to investigate A549 cell proliferation.Results A549 cells exhibited dose-dependent sensitivity to AEA resulting in dramatic cell death.But the effect of AEA on A549 could not be antagonized by the antagonists such as capsazepine and Ruthenium Red.However,cyclooxygenase(COX) inhibitor,aspirin,could attenuate A549 cell death caused by AEA(P