Expression of Cannabinoid receptor 2 in the CNS and pharmacology of its agonists / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Two types of cannabinoid receptors,named cannabinoid receptor 1(CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2(CB2),have been cloned.CB2 receptors are expressed predominantly in the peripheral immune tissues,but accumulating evidence has revealed that CB2 receptors are also expressed in CNS.Previous studies showed that CB2 agonists can cure and suppress formation of inflammatory and neurophathic pain without central effects after chronic administration.Therefore,they will have good clinical applications in the treatment of pain and neurodegenerative diseases.In this paper,we will review the tissue distribution of CB2 in CNS and pharmacological characteristics of the CB2 agonists have been reviewed.