Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
Acetaminophen and cannabinoid receptor interactions were the focus of a research article published in the journal of Neuropharmacology in late December 2009. The research demonstrates that the effects of Acetaminophen on pain are mediated through the CB1 receptor. Acetaminophen has previously been shown to elevate the levels of endocannabinoids in the body. Thus increasing the amount of activated cannabinoid receptors, leading to pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects.
Most prescription narcotics such as percocet and vicodin are cut with acetaminophen by pharmaceutical companies. This gives the pain killers more of a “kick.” Without acetaminophen, some pain killers are not nearly as effective. Researchers have been investigating the molecular mechanism for this interaction and the Endocannabinoid System appears to be a big player. Previous research has also shown that there is some “cross talk” between opiate receptors and cannabinoid receptors.
The study investigated the effects of acetaminophen in combination with different pain killers. The authors found that a combination of acetaminophen with gabapentin or morphine produced synergistic pain killing effects in rats. The results may have clinical significance because the effect was observed in rats that are a model of spinal cord injury. Interestingly, this synergistic pain relief disappeared when the rats were given AM251. AM251 blocks the Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptor (CB1R) thus inhibiting CB1R activation.
Given the notable toxicity of acetaminophen, cannabinoids might be a reasonable supplement to accompany current treatments for pain.
Posted in Cannabination, Jahan Marcu | 2 Comments »
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
The Journal of Molecular Psychiatry recently published an LTE from a group of researchers who demonstrated that chronic low doses of the cannabinoid WIN55212, resulted in new brain cells or neurons in the hippocampus of old rats. As we age, our ability to make new cells decreases, this may be the cause of many age related disorders. A class of drugs that can restore neurons may be a potential cure for diseases such as Parkinson’s, depression, etc.
The data was simply amazing–3 weeks of treatment resulted in noticeable effects! So this blog includes the figures from the publication, see below. On the left hand side, Figure A shows brain cells stained with red and green. Green, spindle like, staining indicates neuron growth. Pictures A and B show the typical neuron growth in developing brains. As you can see in pictures E and F, chronic administration of a non-psychotropic dose of WIN55212 restores neuron production in older rats, indicated by the green wisps. Note that this green stain is very low in old rats that did not receive the cannabinoid, pictures C and D.
The authors speculate, “Cannabinoid receptor stimulation therapy may thus provide clinical benefit for humans with age-associated memory impairment.”
Lots of molecules can activate cannabinoid receptors, so take your pick. More research is needed to determine which cannabinoids are the best option. None of the plant cannabinoids have not been explored for this effect. This not the first time cannabinoids have been linked to neurogenesis; HU-210 has also demonstrated similar effects.
Posted in Cannabination, Jahan Marcu | 1 Comment »
Friday, July 10th, 2009
GW Pharmaceuticals announced plans to expand their research agenda by investigating the therapeutic potential of new cannabis-ethanol sprays into the realm of metabolic diseases such as Obesity and Type II Diabetes.
For this project, GW is teaming up with Mike Cawthorne, the group director of the research team that “discovered the multi-billion dollar insulin sensitizer drug, Rosigilatzone.”
The new cannabis spray will be extracted from plants which contain high amounts of CBD and THCV. CBD has shown potential to treat fatty liver diseases and hpercholesterolaemia and also blocks the psychoactive effects of Delta9-THC. THCV, a natural antagonist or Cannabinoid receptor blocker, has notable effects on increasing energy expenditure. THCV, unlike Delta9-THC, is usually present only in small concentrations on the plant. However, GW may have developed a so called THCV-rich cannabis plant.
Developing a treatment for a complex illness, such as metabolic syndrome, can be explored using two cannabinoids in combination and can potentially “be addressed with a single medicine.”
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