Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main pharmacologically active phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa L. CBD is non-psychoactive but exerts a number of beneficial pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The chemistry and pharmacology of CBD, as well as various molecular targets, including cannabinoid receptors and other components of the endocannabinoid system with which it interacts, have been extensively studied. In addition, preclinical and clinical studies have contributed to our understanding of the therapeutic potential of CBD for many diseases, including diseases associated with oxidative stress. Here, we review the main biological effects of CBD, and its synthetic derivatives, focusing on the cellular, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.Antioxidants 2020, 9, 21 2 of 20 Moreover, this phytocannabinoid accelerated wound healing in a diabetic rat model by protecting the endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [11]. In addition, by preventing the formation of oxidative stress in the retina neurons of diabetic animals, CBD counteracted tyrosine nitration, which can lead to glutamate accumulation and neuronal cell death [12].This review summarizes the chemical and biological effects of CBD and its natural and synthetic derivatives. Particular attention was paid to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD and its derivatives, bearing in mind the possibilities of using this phytocannabinoid to protect against oxidative stress and the consequences associated with oxidative modifications of proteins and lipids. Although CBD demonstrates safety and a good side effect profile in many clinical trials [4], all of the therapeutic options for CBD discussed in this review are limited in a concentration-dependent manner. Molecular Structure of CBDCBD is a terpenophenol compound containing twenty-one carbon atoms, with the formula C 21 H 30 O 2 and a molecular weight of 314.464 g/mol (Figure 1). The chemical structure of cannabidiol, 2-[1R-3-methyl-6R-(1-methylethenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]-5-pentyl-1, 3-benzenediol, was determined in 1963 [13]. The current IUPAC preferred terminology is 2-[(1R,6R)-3-methyl-6-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-5-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol. Naturally occurring CBD has a (−)-CBD structure [14]. The CBD molecule contains a cyclohexene ring (A), a phenolic ring (B) and a pentyl side chain. In addition, the terpenic ring (A) and the aromatic ring (B) are located in planes that are almost perpendicular to each other [15]. There are four known CBD side chain homologs, which are methyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and n-pentyl [16]. All known CBD forms (Table 1) have absolute trans configuration in positions 1R and 6R [16].

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The current understanding of the complex role of ROS in the organism and pathological sequelae of oxidative stress points to the necessity of comprehensive studies of antioxidant reactivities and interactions with cellular constituents. Studies of antioxidants performed within the COST B-35 action has concerned the search for new natural antioxidants, synthesis of new antioxidant compounds and evaluation and elucidation of mechanisms of action of both natural and synthetic antioxidants. Representative studies presented in the review concern antioxidant properties of various kinds of tea, the search for new antioxidants of herbal origin, modification of tocopherols and their use in combination with selenium and properties of two promising groups of synthetic antioxidants: derivatives of stobadine and derivatives of 1,4-dihydropyridine.

Colorectal carcinogenesis is associated with serious oxidative stress and confirms that gradual advancement of oxidative-antioxidative disorders is followed by progression of colorectal cancer.

Cancer development is essentially a tissue remodeling process in which normal tissue is substituted with cancer tissue. A crucial role in this process is attributed to proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Degradation of ECM is initiated by proteases, secreted by different cell types, participating in tumor cell invasion and increased expression or activity of every known class of proteases (metallo-, serine-, aspartyl-, and cysteine) has been linked to malignancy and invasion of tumor cells. Proteolytic enzymes can act directly by degrading ECM or indirectly by activating other proteases, which then degrade the ECM. They act in a determined order, resulting from the order of their activation. When proteases exert their action on other proteases, the end result is a cascade leading to proteolysis. Presumable order of events in this complicated cascade is that aspartyl protease (cathepsin D) activates cysteine proteases (e.g. cathepsin B) that can activate pro-uPA. Then active uPA can convert plasminogen into plasmin. Cathepsin B as well as plasmin are capable of degrading several components of tumor stroma and may activate zymogens of matrix metalloproteinases, the main family of ECM degrading proteases. The activities of these proteases are regulated by a complex array of activators, inhibitors and cellular receptors. In physiological conditions the balance exists between proteases and their inhibitors. Proteolytic-antiproteolytic balance may be of major significance in the cancer development. One of the reasons for such a situation is enhanced generation of free radicals observed in many pathological states. Free radicals react with main cellular components like proteins and lipids and in this way modify proteolytic-antiproteolytic balance and enable penetration damaging cellular membrane. All these lead to enhancement of proteolysis and destruction of ECM proteins and in consequence to invasion and metastasis.