The Endocannabinoid System: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Coagulopathies

Abstract

Abnormal blood coagulation or coagulopathy is a common manifestation of many pathological conditions. It occurs when there is an imbalance between the activities of the coagulation system and the fibrinolytic system, leading to excessive or impaired intravascular blood clot formation, which can disturb blood flow causing ischemia or hemorrhage in the affected tissues. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated blood coagulation abnormalities in association with cannabinoid use, suggesting the involvement of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) in modulating blood coagulation. However, the evidence in the literature has been controversial on whether cannabinoids promote or inhibit blood coagulation. The ECS has been extensively studied in recent years for its potential as a therapeutic target for many diseases. This review provides a brief introduction to the ECS and discusses the reported anticoagulatory and procoagulatory effects of various cannabinoids, highlighting some possible mechanisms that might underlie the observed effects. Understanding the coagulatory effects of cannabinoids and the interaction between the coagulation system and the ECS is vital for developing novel therapeutics for coagulopathies.

Exploring the Potential of Cannabinoid Nanodelivery Systems for CNS Disorders

“…The components of the ECS include (1) receptors, (2) their ligands, and (3) enzymes, responsible for the biosynthesis and degradation/deactivation of ligands [ 31 ]: the receptors with which cannabinoids interact can be divided into three main classes or groups: (i) G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (e.g., cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CBr1) and cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CBr2)) [ 31 ], (ii) ligand-sensitive ion channels (e.g., transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, TRPV1). TRPV1 is also activated by various chemicals, physical stimuli, capsaicin and ions, and (iii) nuclear receptors (e.g., PPARs) [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…These receptors are present in both the CNS and the periphery. Downstream signalling of these CBrs is significantly involved in variety of standard functions, as well as in several pathophysiological functions of the CNS [ 31 ].…”

“…endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes are responsible for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids: (i) N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE)-specific phospholipase D-like hydrolase (NAPE-PLD), which catalyzes the synthesis of AEA and other N-acylethanolamines [ 34 ], and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of AEA (and other N-acylethanolamines and primary fatty acid amides) [ 31 ]. (ii) Diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα) and DAGLβ catalyze the biosynthesis of 2-AG and other monoacylglycerols [ 35 ] and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) catalyzes the hydrolysis of 2-AG (and other monoacylglycerols) [ 36 ].…”

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Technology for Recovering Valuable Phytochemicals from Cannabis sativa L. and Valorization of Its Biomass for Food Applications

“…There is a huge diversity of cannabinoid compounds being investigated for several potential therapeutic applications, but most of the findings are still considered of limited or insufficient scientific evidence to support the conclusion that cannabis or cannabinoids are an effective or ineffective treatment for the health endpoint of interest [2]. The therapeutic effects of phytocannabinoids, mainly THC and CBD, have already been extensively reviewed for application in the treatment of several diseases [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

Drug–Cannabinoid Interactions in Selected Therapeutics for Symptoms Associated with Epilepsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, and Pain

“…In fact, hemostasis needs a delicate balance between coagulation and the fibrinolytic system to achieve a normal blood circulation. Some authors highlight the links connecting cannabinoid actions with blood coagulation abnormalities, suggesting crosstalk between the coagulation system and the endogenous cannabinoid system [11].…”