From Cannabis sativa to Cannabidiol: Promising Therapeutic Candidate for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

Cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana, contains a pool of secondary plant metabolites with therapeutic effects. Besides D9-tetrahydrocannabinol that is the principal psychoactive constituent of Cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid and may represent a prototype for antiinflammatory drug development for human pathologies where both the inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) play an important role to their etiology and progression. To this regard, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common neurodegenerative disorders, are characterized by extensive oxidative damage to different biological substrates that can cause cell death by different pathways. Most cases of neurodegenerative diseases have a complex etiology with a variety of factors contributing to the progression of the neurodegenerative processes; therefore, promising treatment strategies should simultaneously target multiple substrates in order to stop and/ or slow down the neurodegeneration. In this context, CBD, which interacts with the eCB system, but has also cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanism, might be a good candidate as a prototype for anti-oxidant drug development for the major neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD and AD. This review summarizes the multiple molecular pathways that underlie the positive effects of CBD, which may have a considerable impact on the progression of the major neurodegenerative disorders.

Grinding and Fractionation during Distillation Alter Hemp Essential Oil Profile and Its Antimicrobial Activity

“…Cannabinoids are of significant interest recently, especially non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids such as CBD, as the market expanded dramatically [ 11 ]. Recently, there has been a flash of research articles on CBD effects on human health [ 9 , 11 , 47 ]. Previous research has shown that CBD has anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-psychotic properties [ 48 ] and against neurodegenerative diseases [ 9 ].…”

“…Recently, there has been a flash of research articles on CBD effects on human health [ 9 , 11 , 47 ]. Previous research has shown that CBD has anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-psychotic properties [ 48 ] and against neurodegenerative diseases [ 9 ]. A recent review summarized the various molecular pathways that cause positive effects of CBD, especially with respect to the major neurodegenerative disorders [ 9 ].…”

“…The pharmacological power of hemp depends on the content of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) [ 9 , 10 ], but also on terpenes entourage effects [ 2 , 11 , 12 ]. Other major cannabinoids include cannabinolic acid (CBNA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) and cannabinodiolic acid (CBNDA) [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Cannabidiol Ameliorates Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats

“…It has a broad therapeutic potential resulting from its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anxiolytic and antiproliferative properties. It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of resistant epilepsy, and it is indicated in the therapy of neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis and other diseases [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Cannabis and Canabidinoids on the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Going Beyond Misuse

“…These compounds seem to play a substantial role as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial in the therapeutic approach of several diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neuropathic pain, chronic pain, anxiety, schizophrenia, and cancer. IBD patients can also benefit from the use of this plant or its derivatives [7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”