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Cannabinoids in Models of Chronic Inflammatory Conditions

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  • Published: January 2005
  • volume 4, pages 11–18 (2005)
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Phytochemistry Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript
Cannabinoids in Models of Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
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  • Raphael Mechoulam1,
  • Percy F. Sumariwalla2,
  • Marc Feldmann2 &
  • …
  • Ruth Gallily3 

  • 1630 Accesses

  • 9 Citations

  • 7 Altmetric

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Abstract

Cannabis sativa has been used as an anti-inflammatory plant for millennia. However until the elucidation of the chemistry of its constituents and the discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid system only a limited amount of research had been done on the effects of the plant or its constituents on inflammation. In the present overview we summarize our work on the effects of the non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD) and of a synthetic cannabidiol-derived acid (HU-320) in animal models of arthritis. Both compounds block progression of the disease, when administered after its onset. Cannabidiol was equally effective was administered i.p. or orally. Significant protection of the joints against severe damage was noted. In vitro cannabidiol reduced lymphocyte proliferation, and TNF-α formation and blocked zymosan-triggered production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Ex vivo lymph node cells from CBD-treated mice showed a decrease of collagen II-specific proliferation and IFN-γ production. A decreased release of TNF by knee synovial cells was also noted. A synthetic cannabidiol derivative, HU-320 also inhibited production of TNF and ROI by mouse macrophages in vitro and suppressed in vivo rise in serum TNF following endotoxin challenge. HU-320 showed no activity in a standard assay for THC-type psychotropic effects. These results suggest that CBD and HU-320 hold promise as potential novel anti-inflammatory agents.

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Abbreviations

2-AG:

2-arachidonoylglycerol

CBD:

cannabidiol

CIA:

collagen-induced arthritis

CII:

collagen type II

IFN:

interferon

IL:

interleukin

LPS:

lipopolysaccharide

NO:

nitric oxide

ROI:

reactive oxygen intermediates

THC:

tetrahydrocannabinol

TNF:

tumor necrosis factor

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacy School, Medical Faculty, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

    Raphael Mechoulam

  2. Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College, London

    Percy F. Sumariwalla & Marc Feldmann

  3. The Lauten- berg Center of General and Tumor Immunology, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

    Ruth Gallily

Authors
  1. Raphael Mechoulam
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  2. Percy F. Sumariwalla
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  3. Marc Feldmann
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  4. Ruth Gallily
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Correspondence to Raphael Mechoulam.

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Cite this article

Mechoulam, R., Sumariwalla, P.F., Feldmann, M. et al. Cannabinoids in Models of Chronic Inflammatory Conditions. Phytochem Rev 4, 11–18 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-004-1534-1

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  • Issue Date: January 2005

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-004-1534-1

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Keywords

  • cannabidiol
  • HU-320
  • murine collagen-induced arthritis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • TNF-α
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