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Chronic pain is the primary cause of health care resource utilization and disability among working adults in most developed countries (British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2019 Aug;123(2):e273-e283). The use of cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain is becoming common though it still remains contentious due to its known and suspected harms. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the evidence on the harms of medical cannabis from non-randomized studies.

This research project is a study aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of using cannabinoids in the treatment of adults diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease (AD), comparing their therapeutic effects with those of cholinesterase inhibitors and/or a placebo. The study is distinguished by adopting a methodology of metasynthesis of systematic reviews, aligned with the rigorous guidelines proposed by prestigious institutions such as the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA 2020 statement. To ensure a comprehensive and accurate analysis, the study will implement an extensive search strategy, exploring high-impact databases including PUBMED, EMBASE, WEB OF SCIENCE, and the Virtual Health Library. The primary outcomes of this investigation are focused on evaluating the ability of cannabinoids to mitigate anxiety and/or agitation, symptoms commonly associated with dementia in patients with AD. Additionally, the safety and tolerability of cannabinoids will be analyzed, with special attention to side effects and the occurrence of adverse events.

The manuscript entitled “The role of different types of cannabinoids in periodontal disease: an integrative review” will involve a comprehensive search in important databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Lilacs, in the context of an integrative review. Our main objective will be to elucidate the involvement of the Endocannabinoid System and several cannabinoids in both the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches related to periodontal disease.

NORML National Marijuana Forum: Dr. Robert Melamede, CU Boulder 2009 Filmed by Christopher Pezza of April 19, 2009. http://www.youtube.com/user/CPezza85 World-renowned Medical Cannabis Research expert Dr. Robert Melamede has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the City University of New York. Dr. Melamede is a retired Chairman of the Biology Department at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2005, where he continues to teach and research cannabinoids, cancer, and DNA repair. Dr. Melamede is recognized as a leading authority on the therapeutic uses of cannabis, and has authored or co-authored dozens of papers on a wide variety of scientific subjects. Dr. Melamede's current focus is on integrating far from equilibrium thermodynamic physics with the biology of life and health and the unique evolutionary role played by the endocannabinoid system in these processes.  Dr. Melamede also serves on the Editorial Board of The Journal of the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine, the Scientific Advisory Board of Americans for Safe Access, Sensible Colorado, Scientific Advisor for Cannabis Therapeutics as well as a variety other of state dispensaries and marijuana patient advocacy groups. Dr. Melamede frequently serves as an expert witness in cannabis-related trials. Dr. Melamede's testimony was critical in the recent trial of growers for the Vancouver Island Compassion Society that resulted Canadian Court's ruling that their current medical marijuana laws were unconstitutional.

Patients with a medical weed card often make use of both of these components as per the recommendations of their MMJ doctors. People living in different areas across the USA use marijuana in plenty depending on the purpose of consumption, be it recreational or medicinal. The use of these two cannabinoids is also then done for the same two purposes. To know more read our blog today.

The extraction of third molars often causes postoperative pain. Although analgesics are common, effective natural alternatives are being sought. Cannabinoids, especially cannabidiol (CBD), show promise by modulating pain and inflammation via the endocannabinoid system. Recent studies highlight the therapeutic potential of CBD due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, suggesting applications in dentistry. This scoping review aims to examine and map the scientific evidence on the use of cannabinoids in postoperative pain management for patients undergoing surgical extraction of third molars. The scoping review was conducted in five steps: (1) formulation of the problem and definition of the objective; (2) data collection in the PUBMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases, using controlled descriptors and Boolean operators; (3) evaluation of studies on cannabinoids, pain in dentistry, and post-surgical treatment, without restrictions on language, study type, or date; (4) analysis of the methods and results of the studies; and (5) interpretation and presentation of the results. A total of 32 studies were identified, of which 2 duplicates were removed. After title and abstract screening, 6 studies were included, and 3 were selected: two clinical trials and one literature review. The studies examined phytocannabinoids like CBD and synthetic agonists such as AZD1940 and GW842166. CBD showed over 70% analgesia in emergency dental pain, with few side effects. The clinical trials revealed that GW842166 has high efficacy (95%) compared to HU210, but AZD1940 was not effective for postoperative dental pain compared to naproxen. These pioneering studies evaluated selective agonists in dental extractions. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has been limited in dentistry compared to conventional treatments, but more research on CBD is needed in this context.

What evidence is available on cannabinoid-based products used, symptom managment, and safety in children with autism spectrum disorder?

Describes a variety of methodologies for detection and analysis of cannabinoids, to meet requirements of researchers and others for sensitive, reliable, and workable assays.

This article is from Cell Death & Disease , volume 4 . Abstract Cannabinoids exert antiproliferative effects in a wide range of tumoral cells, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In this study, we examined whether the PPARγ-activated pathway contributed to the antitumor effect of two cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and JWH-015, against HepG2 and HUH-7 HCC cells. Both cannabinoids increased the activity and intracellular level of PPARγ mRNA and protein, which was abolished by the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662. Moreover, genetic ablation with small interfering RNA (siRNA), as well as pharmacological inhibition of PPARγ decreased the cannabinoid-induced cell death and apoptosis. Likewise, GW9662 totally blocked the antitumoral action of cannabinoids in xenograft-induced HCC tumors in mice. In addition, PPARγ knockdown with siRNA caused accumulation of the autophagy markers LC3-II and p62, suggesting that PPARγ is necessary for the autophagy flux promoted by cannabinoids. Interestingly, downregulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) markedly reduced PPARγ expression and induced p62 accumulation, which was counteracted by overexpression of PPARγ in TRIB3-knocked down cells. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that the antiproliferative action of the cannabinoids THC and JWH-015 on HCC, in vitro and in vivo, are modulated by upregulation of PPARγ-dependent pathways.

1. First, to develop a measure to rate narrative bias in titles and abstracts of randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews. 2. Second, the classification will be used to identify the extent to which narrative bias is evident in randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews investigating cannabinoids, cannabis or cannabis-based medicine for pain management.

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This is a research project titled "Efficacy and Safety of Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Children and Adolescents." This study adopts the methodology of rapid review of systematic reviews, following the guidelines of the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group, the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-P). Using a meticulous selection of relevant studies from databases such as PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and Web of Science, the study aims to generate evidence syntheses in a reduced timeframe to assist in decision-making for public health policies and emerging clinical practices. The central research question is: Are cannabinoids (CBD/THC) effective and safe in the treatment of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder? The primary outcomes will include behavioral and cognitive improvements, such as increased sociability, reduced anxiety, and diminished hyperactivity. Safety will be evaluated through the incidence of adverse events. With ASD affecting millions of people worldwide, identifying effective and safe treatments is crucial. Thus, it is possible to provide high-quality evidence to support or refute the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of ASD, potentially influencing future clinical guidelines and policy-making.

This article is from Biomolecules & Therapeutics , volume 22 . Abstract Synthetic cannabinoids (CBs) such as the JWH series have caused social problems concerning their abuse liability. Because the JWH series produces euphoric and hallucinogenic effects, they have been distributed illegally under street names such as “Spice” and “Smoke”. Many countries including Korea have started to schedule some of the JWH series compounds as controlled substances, but there are a number of JWH series chemicals that remain uncontrolled by law. In this study, three synthetic CBs with different binding affinities to the CB1 receptor (JWH-073, 081, and 210) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) were evaluated for their potential for psychological dependence. The conditioned place preference test (unbiased method) and self-administration test (fixed ratio of 1) using rodents were conducted. Ki values of the three synthetic cannabinoids were calculated as supplementary data using a receptor binding assay and overexpressed CB1 protein membranes to compare dependence potential with CB1 receptor binding affinity. All mice administered JWH-073, 081, or 210 showed significantly increased time spent at unpreferred space in a dose-dependence manner in the conditioned place preference test. In contrast, all tested substances except Δ9-THC showed aversion phenomenon at high doses in the conditioned place preference test. The order of affinity to the CB1 receptor in the receptor binding assay was JWH-210 > JWH-081 >> JWH-073, which was in agreement with the results from the conditioned place preference test. However, no change in self-administration was observed. These findings suggest the possibility to predict dependence potential of synthetic CBs through a receptor binding assay at the screening level.

Various reports have shown that cannabinoids (the active components of marijuana and their derivatives) can reduce tumour growth and progression in animal models of cancer, in addition to their well-known palliative effects on some cancer-associated symptoms. This Opinion article discusses our current understanding of cannabinoids as antitumour agents, focusing on recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of action, including emerging resistance mechanisms and opportunities for combination therapy approaches. Such knowledge is required for the optimization of preclinical cannabinoid -based therapies and for the preliminary clinical testing that is currently underway. PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22555283 Medicinal Genomics: http://www.medicinalgenomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Towards-the-use-of-cannabinoids-as-anti-tumor-agents1.pdf

Presents research on methods in which changing the molecular structures of natural cannabinoids and their synthetic analogs alters their effects. Also: medicinal chemistry (medical marijuana), drug abuse in India.

Patients with a medical weed card often make use of both of these components as per the recommendations of their MMJ doctors. People living in different areas across the USA use marijuana in plenty depending on the purpose of consumption, be it recreational or medicinal. To know more read our blog today.

This article is from Frontiers in Pharmacology , volume 5 . Abstract The limited effectiveness of current therapies against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) highlights the need for intensifying research efforts devoted to developing new agents for preventing or retarding the disease process. During the last few years, targeting the endogenous cannabinoid system has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach to treat Alzheimer. The endocannabinoid system is composed by a number of cannabinoid receptors, including the well-characterized CB1 and CB2 receptors, with their endogenous ligands and the enzymes related to the synthesis and degradation of these endocannabinoid compounds. Several findings indicate that the activation of both CB1 and CB2 receptors by natural or synthetic agonists, at non-psychoactive doses, have beneficial effects in Alzheimer experimental models by reducing the harmful β-amyloid peptide action and tau phosphorylation, as well as by promoting the brain’s intrinsic repair mechanisms. Moreover, endocannabinoid signaling has been demonstrated to modulate numerous concomitant pathological processes, including neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. The present paper summarizes the main experimental studies demonstrating the polyvalent properties of cannabinoid compounds for the treatment of AD, which together encourage progress toward a clinical trial.

This article is from Cancer Management and Research , volume 5 . Abstract Cannabinoids have been attracting a great deal of interest as potential anticancer agents. Originally derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, there are now a number of endo-, phyto- and synthetic cannabinoids available. This review summarizes the key literature to date around the actions, antitumor activity, and mechanisms of action for this broad range of compounds. Cannabinoids are largely defined by an ability to activate the cannabinoid receptors – CB1 or CB2. The action of the cannabinoids is very dependent on the exact ligand tested, the dose, and the duration of exposure. Some cannabinoids, synthetic or plant-derived, show potential as therapeutic agents, and evidence across a range of cancers and evidence in vitro and in vivo is starting to be accumulated. Studies have now been conducted in a wide range of cell lines, including glioma, breast, prostate, endothelial, liver, and lung. This work is complemented by an increasing body of evidence from in vivo models. However, many of these results remain contradictory, an issue that is not currently able to be resolved through current knowledge of mechanisms of action. While there is a developing understanding of potential mechanisms of action, with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway emerging as a critical signaling juncture in combination with an important role for ceramide and lipid signaling, the relative importance of each pathway is yet to be determined. The interplay between the intracellular pathways of autophagy versus apoptosis is a recent development that is discussed. Overall, there is still a great deal of conflicting evidence around the future utility of the cannabinoids, natural or synthetic, as therapeutic agents.

Memo for State Parties to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic substances. This memo addresses the expected changes in the scope of international control of medical Cannabis and cannabinoids induced by the recommendations of the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence of the World Health Organization. The memo was delivered and circulated at the 4th inter-sessional meeting of the 62nd session of the United Nations ECOSOC's Commission on Narcotic Drugs, on June 24th, 2019 at the United Nations, Vienna, Austria.

5 pages.  Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).  Synthetic cannabinoids are substance that are designed to affect the body in a manner similar to marijuana, but that are not derived from the marijuana plant. They may be purchased with no age restrictions, are popular among young people, and are known by a variety of names such as "Spice", "K2", and "synthetic marijuana". DAWN  first detected a measurable number of ED visits involving synthetic cannabinoids in 2010, and this report presents data related to these visits.

5 pages.  Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).  Synthetic cannabinoids are substance that are designed to affect the body in a manner similar to marijuana, but that are not derived from the marijuana plant. They may be purchased with no age restrictions, are popular among young people, and are known by a variety of names such as "Spice", "K2", and "synthetic marijuana". DAWN  first detected a measurable number of ED visits involving synthetic cannabinoids in 2010, and this report presents data related to these visits.

Scoping Review on the cognitive effects in older adults (60+) with acquired neurological conditions with the oral-use of cannabinoids as an intervention.

This is the pre-registration of the protocol for a scoping review on economic evaluations of cannabis-based products in treating multiple sclerosis symptoms.

This project aims to conduct a rapid review to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cannabinoid medications in treating spasticity in adult patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), compared to placebo or standard treatments. The team consists of health professionals and researchers from various fields, indicating a multidisciplinary approach. The protocol follows guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA statement, emphasizing a transparent and systematic process in the selection and analysis of evidence. The review seeks to contribute valuable insights into alternative therapies for managing spasticity in MS, a challenging symptom of the disease, to improve the quality of life of individuals affected by MS.

This project aims to conduct a rapid review to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cannabinoid medications in treating spasticity in adult patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), compared to placebo or standard treatments. The team consists of health professionals and researchers from various fields, indicating a multidisciplinary approach. The protocol follows guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA statement, emphasizing a transparent and systematic process in the selection and analysis of evidence. The review seeks to contribute valuable insights into alternative therapies for managing spasticity in MS, a challenging symptom of the disease, to improve the quality of life of individuals affected by MS.

2 tracks from Deadman and Digi Hartatak about marijuana, using sounds from a an old drug education film found in the Prelinger collection here on the archive. Although both pieces are the same tempo, "Sense" is a much slower sounding booty bass jam with some funky drums, software DJ scratching, synthbass, a plastic comb, and various synth elements and mangled samples. Deadman on vocals and situational comedy. Most of the synth tracks give way to some almost accapella work by Deadman which is later accompanied by some soft improvised piano melodies. I was going to run this through a mastering compressor and EQ but I didn't feel like it so pretend it's perfect and not made in my spare time for free. "Dangerweed" is a continuation of the beginning of the first track and moves along pretty nicely with the samples from the same film over some more disco infused house beats and a bit of winged synth improvisations. Deadman man provides foley character sounds and some zappaesque doo-wop at the end to complete the mission. My cat loves this song.

2 tracks from Deadman and Digi Hartatak about marijuana, using sounds from a an old drug education film found in the Prelinger collection here on the archive. Although both pieces are the same tempo, "Sense" is a much slower sounding booty bass jam with some funky drums, software DJ scratching, synthbass, a plastic comb, and various synth elements and mangled samples. Deadman on vocals and situational comedy. Most of the synth tracks give way to some almost accapella work by Deadman which is later accompanied by some soft improvised piano melodies. I was going to run this through a mastering compressor and EQ but I didn't feel like it so pretend it's perfect and not made in my spare time for free. "Dangerweed" is a continuation of the beginning of the first track and moves along pretty nicely with the samples from the same film over some more disco infused house beats and a bit of winged synth improvisations. Deadman man provides foley character sounds and some zappaesque doo-wop at the end to complete the mission. My cat loves this song.

Perma.cc archive of https://www.vybba.com/ created on 2022-09-22 17:50:29.232011+00:00.

The Role of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Pain Management

This article is from Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal , volume 4 . Abstract The endocannabinoid system is involved in a host of homeostatic and physiologic functions, including modulation of pain and inflammation. The specific roles of currently identified endocannabinoids that act as ligands at endogenous cannabinoid receptors within the central nervous system (primarily but not exclusively CB1 receptors) and in the periphery (primarily but not exclusively CB2 receptors) are only partially elucidated, but they do exert an influence on nociception. Exogenous plant-based cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) and chemically related compounds, like the terpenes, commonly found in many foods, have been found to exert significant analgesic effects in various chronic pain conditions. Currently, the use of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is limited by its psychoactive effects and predominant delivery route (smoking), as well as regulatory or legal constraints. However, other phytocannabinoids in combination, especially cannabidiol and β-caryophyllene, delivered by the oral route appear to be promising candidates for the treatment of chronic pain due to their high safety and low adverse effects profiles. This review will provide the reader with the foundational basic and clinical science linking the endocannabinoid system and the phytocannabinoids with their potentially therapeutic role in the management of chronic pain.

This article is from Translational Psychiatry , volume 2 . Abstract Clinical studies report associations between cannabis use during adolescence and later onset of schizophrenia. We examined the causal relationship between developmental cannabinoid administration and long-term behavioral and molecular alterations in mice. Mice were administered either WIN 55,212-2 (WIN), a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) agonist or vehicle (Veh) during adolescence (postnatal day 30–35) or early adulthood (postnatal day 63–70). Behavioral testing was conducted after postnatal day 120 followed by biochemical assays. Adolescent cannabinoid treatment (ACU) leads to deficits in prepulse inhibition and fear conditioning in adulthood. Metabotropic glutamate receptors type 5 (mGluR5), a receptor critically involved in fear conditioning and endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, is significantly reduced in the ACU mouse hippocampus. Next, we examined expression profiles of genes involved in eCB synthesis (diacylglycerol lipase (DGL)) and uptake (monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)) in the experimental mice. We find evidence of increased MGL and FAAH in ACU mice, reflecting increases in eCB uptake and degradation. These data suggest that administration of cannabinoids during adolescence leads to a behavioral phenotype associated with a rodent model of schizophrenia, as indexed by alterations in sensorimotor gating and hippocampal-dependent learning and memory deficits. Further, these deficits are associated with a reduction in hippocampal mGluR5 and a sustained change in eCB turnover, suggesting reduced eCB signaling in the ACU hippocampus. These data suggest that significant cannabis use during adolescence may be a contributory causal factor in the development of certain features of schizophrenia and may offer mGluR5 as a potential therapeutic target.

This article is from Indian Journal of Urology : IJU : Journal of the Urological Society of India , volume 28 . Abstract Prostate cancer is a global public health problem, and it is the most common cancer in American men and the second cause for cancer-related death. Experimental evidence shows that prostate tissue possesses cannabinoid receptors and their stimulation results in anti-androgenic effects. To review currently relevant findings related to effects of cannabinoid receptors in prostate cancer. PubMed search utilizing the terms “cannabis,” “cannabinoids,” “prostate cancer,” and “cancer pain management,” giving preference to most recent publications was done. Articles identified were screened for their relevance to the field of prostate cancer and interest to both urologist and pain specialists. Prostate cancer cells possess increased expression of both cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors, and stimulation of these results in decrease in cell viability, increased apoptosis, and decreased androgen receptor expression and prostate-specific antigen excretion. It would be of interest to conduct clinical studies utilizing cannabinoids for patients with metastatic prostate cancer, taking advantage not only of its beneficial effects on prostate cancer but also of their analgesic properties for bone metastatic cancer pain.

This article is from Cancers , volume 2 . Abstract Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa, have been shown to exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on a wide spectrum of tumor cells and tissues. Of interest, cannabinoids have displayed great potency in reducing the growth of glioma tumors, one of the most aggressive CNS tumors, either in vitro or in animal experimental models curbing the growth of xenografts generated by subcutaneous or intrathecal injection of glioma cells in immune-deficient mice. Cannabinoids appear to be selective antitumoral agents as they kill glioma cells without affecting the viability of non-transformed cells. This review will summarize the anti-cancer properties that cannabinoids exert on gliomas and discuss their potential action mechanisms that appear complex, involving modulation of multiple key cell signaling pathways and induction of oxidative stress in glioma cells.

Perma.cc archive of https://www.newsweek.com/cannabinoids-cbd-thc-1584407 created on 2022-09-03 12:58:37.417018+00:00.

This article is from Pharmaceuticals , volume 3 . Abstract Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) act upon peripheral tissues and upon the central nervous system to produce analgesia. A major central target of NSAIDs is the descending pain control system. The rostral structures of the descending pain control system send impulses towards the spinal cord and regulate the transmission of pain messages. Key structures of the descending pain control system are the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) and the rostral ventromedial region of the medulla (RVM), both of which are critical targets for endogenous opioids and opiate pharmaceuticals. NSAIDs also act upon PAG and RVM to produce analgesia and, if repeatedly administered, induce tolerance to themselves and cross-tolerance to opioids. Experimental evidence shows that this is due to an interaction of NSAIDs with endogenous opioids along the descending pain control system. Analgesia by NSAIDs along the descending pain control system also requires an activation of the CB1 endocannabinoid receptor. Several experimental approaches suggest that opioids, NSAIDs and cannabinoids in PAG and RVM cooperate to decrease GABAergic inhibition and thus enhance the descending flow of impulses that inhibit pain.

This article is from BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders , volume 15 . Abstract Background: Arthritis pain is reported as one of the most common reasons for persons using medical herbal cannabis in North America. “Severe arthritis” is the condition justifying legal use of cannabis in over half of all authorizations in Canada, where cannabis remains a controlled substance. As champions for the care of persons with arthritis, rheumatologists must be knowledgeable of treatment modalities both traditional and non-traditional, used by their patients. As study of cannabinoid molecules in medicine is recent, we have examined the confidence in the knowledge of cannabinoids expressed by Canadian rheumatologists. Methods: The confidence of rheumatologists in their knowledge of cannabinoid molecules and mechanisms relevant to rheumatology, and their ability to advise patients about cannabinoid treatments was recorded by an online questionnaire circulated via email to the entire Canadian Rheumatology Association membership. Results: Over three quarters of the 128 respondents lacked confidence in their knowledge of cannabinoid molecules. While 45% of respondents believed there was no current role for cannabinoids in rheumatology patient care, only 25% supported any use of herbal cannabis. With 70% never having previously prescribed or recommended any cannabinoid treatment, uncertainty regarding good prescribing practices was prevalent. Concerns about risks of cannabis use were in line with the current literature. Conclusions: Rheumatologists lacked confidence in their knowledge of cannabinoid molecules in general and in their competence to prescribe any cannabinoid for rheumatic complaints. In line with this uncertainty, there is reticence to prescribe cannabinoid preparations for rheumatology patients. Guidance is required to inform rheumatologists on the evidence regarding cannabinoids.

The Long-term Effect of Developmental Exposure to Cannabinoids During Lactation on Psychopathology.

This article is from Brain Sciences , volume 3 . Abstract Perinatal brain injury can be induced by a number of different damaging events occurring during or shortly after birth, including neonatal asphyxia, neonatal hypoxia-ischemia and stroke-induced focal ischemia. Typical manifestations of these conditions are the presence of glutamate excitoxicity, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, the combination of which can potentially result in apoptotic-necrotic cell death, generation of brain lesions and long-lasting functional impairment. In spite of the high incidence of perinatal brain injury, the number of clinical interventions available for the treatment of the affected newborn babies is extremely limited. Hence, there is a dramatic need to develop new effective therapies aimed to prevent acute brain damage and enhance the endogenous mechanisms of long-term brain repair. The endocannabinoid system is an endogenous neuromodulatory system involved in the control of multiple central and peripheral functions. An early responder to neuronal injury, the endocannabinoid system has been described as an endogenous neuroprotective system that once activated can prevent glutamate excitotoxicity, intracellular calcium accumulation, activation of cell death pathways, microglia activation, neurovascular reactivity and infiltration of circulating leukocytes across the blood-brain barrier. The modulation of the endocannabinoid system has proven to be an effective neuroprotective strategy to prevent and reduce neonatal brain injury in different animal models and species. Also, the beneficial role of the endocannabinoid system on the control of the endogenous repairing responses (neurogenesis and white matter restoration) to neonatal brain injury has been described in independent studies. This review addresses the particular effects of several drugs that modulate the activity of the endocannabinoid system on the progression of different manifestations of perinatal brain injury during both the acute and chronic recovery phases using rodent and non-rodent animal models, and will provide a complete description of the known mechanisms that mediate such effects.

This article is from Pharmaceuticals , volume 3 . Abstract Phytocannabinoids present in Cannabis plants are well known to exert potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Previously, we have demonstrated that the psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD) modulate mitogen-induced Th1-type immune responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The suppressive effect of both cannabinoids on mitogen-induced tryptophan degradation mediated by indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), suggests an additional mechanism by which antidepressive effects of cannabinoids might be linked to the serotonergic system. Here, we will review the role of tryptophan metabolism in the course of cell mediated immune responses and the relevance of cannabinoids in serotonergic signaling. We conclude that in particular the non-psychotropic CBD might be useful for the treatment of mood disorders in patients with inflammatory diseases, since this cannabinoid seems to be safe and its effects on activation-induced tryptophan degradation by CBD were more potent as compared to THC.

Development and application of a LC-MSMS method for the analysis of plasma bioavailabilities of different cannabinoids after the administration of Cannabis sativa extracts and Marinol

Cannabinoids as potential new therapy for the treatment of gliomas

Aim: Synthetic cannabinoids are chemicals that produce several marijuana-like effects in humans. Aim of this study is to investigate the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on to alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient.  Material and Method: A total of 112 patients, who admitted directly to emergency clinic with synthetic cannabinoid usage, were determined between February 2014 and August 2014. Blood gases of 41 patients were determined as arterial blood gases on room air, and included in to study. Patients were evaluated according to age, sex, decade, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide, pH, bicarbonate, metabolic status, age consistent expected alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and calculated alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient.  Results: Synthetic cannabinoid using was higher in males, mean age of patients was 23.32±6.14 years. Number of patients in the third decade were significantly higher than the other decades. The calculated alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient value of patients was significantly higher than age consistent expected alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient value. Respiratory acidosis, was significantly higher than the other types of the metabolic disorders. The best cutoff point for calculated alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was 12.70, with sensitivity of 90% and specifity of 85%. Area under curve was 0.70 for calculated alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient.  Discussion: The value of alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient has been increased due to synthetic cannabinoid usage. This can be used as a supportive param-eter in the diagnosis of synthetic cannabinoid usage.

We have been able to synthesize and characterize several synthetic cannabinoid-dark quencher (DQ) conjugates for the use in fluorescence-based cannabinoid detection platforms. The carboxylic acid reactive QSY 7 amine was reacted with the carboxylated metabolites of JWH 018 and JWH 073 via a simple peptide conjugation reaction with the catalyst O-benzotriazole-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-uronium-hexafluoro-phosphate to yield 3 new DQ conjugates. Thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry show full conversion of the synthetic cannabinoid starting material to product with observed and expected masses of 1,097 g/mol for JWH 018 pentanoic acid QSY 7 amine and 1,081.4 g/mol for JWH 073 butanoic acid-QSY 7 amine. These characterized conjugates are now ready for cannabinoid-receptor-based binding assays.

Isolation of Cannabinoids from the plant Cannabis sativa and its potential anticancer activity