The Cannabis Spread throughout the Continents and its Therapeutic Use in History

Abstract

Historical relevanc: Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) is a plant whose use as a therapeutic agent shares its origins with the first Far East’s human societies. Cannabis has been used not only for recreational purposes, but as a food to obtain textile fibers, to produce hemp paper, to treat many physical and mental disorders. Aim of the study: This review aims to provide a complete assessment of the deep knowledge of the cannabis psychoactive effects and medicinal properties in the course of history covering i.) the empirical use of the seeds and the inflorescences to treat many physical ailments by the ancient Oriental physicians ii.) the current use of cannabis as a therapeutic agent after the discovery of its key psychoactive constituent and the human endogenous endocannabinoid system. Methods: This study was performed through a detailed analysis of the studies on historical significance and medical applications of Cannabis sativa by using international scientific databases, historical and medical books, ancient Greek and Chinese manuscripts translations, library and statistical data from government reports and texts from the National Library of Greece (Stavros Niarchos Foundation), from the School of Health Sciences of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece). We selected papers and texts focusing on a historical point of view about the medical importance of the plant and its applications for a therapeutic purpose in the past. Results and conclusion: Through a detailed analysis of the available resources about the origins of C. sativa we found that its use by ancient civilizations as a source of food and textile fibers dates back over 10,000 years, while its therapeutic applications have been improved over the centuries, from the ancient East medicine of the 2nd and 1st millennium B.C. to the more recent introduction in the Western world after the 1st century A.D. In the 20th and 21th centuries, Cannabis and its derivatives have been considered as a menace and banned throughout the world, but nowadays they are still the most widely consumed illicit drugs all over the world. Its legalization in some jurisdictions has been accompanied by new lines of research to investigate its possible applications for medical and therapeutic purposes.

Recent Advances in Endocannabinoid System Targeting for Improved Specificity: Strategic Approaches to Targeted Drug Delivery

“…Many prescriptions were filled for the analgesic effect, especially for severe pain due to broken bones. Cannabis seeds are still prescribed as a laxative by Chinese physicians today [ 58 ]. The morphology of the cannabis fruit, and the layers which cover it, are misunderstood, and is generally inadequately described [ 59 ].…”

Current knowledge about the connection between health status and gut microbiota from birth to elderly. A narrative review

“…In addition to these that we have mentioned, other psychobiotics can be E. Coli, Bacillus and Saccharomyces (facilitate the increase of norepinephrine), Candida, Streptococcus and Enterococcus (increase the production of 5-HT) Bacillus and Serratia (stimulate the secretion of dopamine) [69,[72][73][74][75]. The Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) which have neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory capabilities, a strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus can modify the function of their receptors in the spinal cord [76][77][78]. Thus, probiotics in general can now be effective in therapy and prevention as an adjunct in various infectious and non-infectious diseases.…”

Stem Cells: A Historical Review about Biological, Religious, and Ethical Issues

“…Using embryonic stem cells, certain types of nerve cells can be produced ex vivo, which, if transplanted into the body, could repair focal organic damage (such as experimentally, even in spinal injuries). Furthermore, using the differentiation power of stem cells, congenital defects such as Krabbe disease, cheiloschisis, osteogenesis imperfecta, and others can be cured [25][26][27][28][29]. In the dental field, dental mesenchymal cell (MSCs) research can be applied for the replacement of dental and oral tissues against dental caries, periodontitis, etc., as well as the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRP) extracts for the dental implantology process [13,[30][31][32][33][34].…”