Cannabis therapeutic potential

Baker D, Pryce G, Giovannoni G, et al The therapeutic potential of cannabis. Lancet Neurol 2 291-298, 2003... 

Cannabinoid receptors include the CB1 receptors (which have a high incidence in the CNS and inhibit adenylyl cyclase, close Ca2+ channels and open K+ channels via Gai) and CB2 receptors (which are present in immune cells and act via Gai proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase). CB1 and CB2 receptors bind the endogenous ligand anandamide (arachi-donylethanolamide) as well as A9-tetrahydroc.annabinol from marijuana (Cannabis saliva). A9-Tetrahydroc,annabinol antagonizes the peripheral CB2 receptor but acts as an agonist for the CNS CB1 receptor. Cannabinoid receptor agonists have appetite stimulant and psychoactive effects and have therapeutic potential for relief from nausea and pain. 

El Sohly, M. A. (2002). Chemical constituents of cannabis. In F. Grotenhermen E. Russo (Eds.), Cannabis and cannabinoids Pharmacology, to.xicolojjy and therapeutic potential (pp. 27-36). Ixindon Haworth Press. 

Far from being disinterested in hashish, however, French scientists seemed very curious and intrigued about its therapeutic potentials. In 1847, the Pharmaceutical Society of Paris posted a prize for the isolation of the active principle in cannabis, which was eventually won in 1857. In 1848, the first doctoral thesis on hashish was written by DeCourtive, whose pharmacopoeia Charles Baudelaire later relied on for much of his information about hashish. 

ElSohly MA (2002) Chemical constituents of cannabis. In Grotenhermen F, Russo E (eds) Cannabis and Cannabinoids Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Potential. Haworth Press, New York, pp 27-36... 

Keywords Cannabinoids Medicinal cannabis Human research Therapeutic potential... 

Gieringer, D. (2001) Medical use of cannabis experience in California, in Cannabis and Cannabinoids Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Potential, lids. F. Grotenhermen and E. Russo, pp. 153-170, Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY. 

Hosking RD, Zajicek IP. Therapeutic potential of cannabis in pain medicine. Br JAnaesth 2008 101 59-68. 

This review will survey the literature of the past year with particular reference to those articles which indicate the therapeutic potentials for cannabinoids. For a comprehensive, up-to-date survey of cannabis chemistry, pharmacology and clinical studies, the reader is referred to a new book edited by R. Mechoulam,... 

Other therapeutic uses of cannabinoid agonists have been reported. The potential of cannabinoids as a treatment for asthma is supported experimentally. A CBi agonist, (i )-methanandamide (21), inhibited nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo [251]. The antipruritic effect of cannabinoids has been reported, the action being mediated by both CBi and CB2 pathways [252]. Treatment with cannabis extract improved urinary tract symptoms of multiple sclerosis patients significantly in an open-label pilot study [253]. 

Hirst RA, Lambert DG and Notcutt WG (1998). Pharmacology and potential therapeutic uses of cannabis. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 81, 77-84. 

A9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (A9-THC) is considered to be the predominant compound in preparations of C. sativa (marijuana, hashish, bhang) that is responsible for the central nervous system effects in humans. The recognized central nervous system responses to these preparations include alterations in cognition and memory, euphoria, and sedation. Potential therapeutic applications of cannabis preparations that are of either historical or contemporary interest include analgesia, attenuation of the nausea and vomiting of cancer chemotherapy, appetite stimulation, decreased intestinal motility of diarrhea, decreased bronchial constriction of asthma, decreased intraocular pressure of glaucoma, antirheumatic and antipyretic actions, and treatment of convulsant disorders. These effects have been reviewed recently (Howlett, 1995). 

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) and, to a small extent, also Delta-8-THC are the biologically active constituents in extracts of the plant Cannabis sativa (marihuana, hashish) and are responsible for the effects on the human central nervous system (CNS). Potential historical and contemporary therapeutic uses of cannahis preparations include, interalia, analgesia, emesis, anorexia, glaucoma and motor disorders. 

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