scholarly journals Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Molecular Targets and Epigenetic Insights from Preclinical Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1863
Author(s):  
Philippe A. Melas ◽  
Maria Scherma ◽  
Walter Fratta ◽  
Carlo Cifani ◽  
Paola Fadda
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
Transient Receptor

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant non-psychoactive component of cannabis; it displays a very low affinity for cannabinoid receptors, facilitates endocannabinoid signaling by inhibiting the hydrolysis of anandamide, and stimulates both transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and 2 and serotonin type 1A receptors. Since CBD interacts with a wide variety of molecular targets in the brain, its therapeutic potential has been investigated in a number of neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety and mood disorders. Specifically, CBD has received growing attention due to its anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. As a consequence, and given its safety profile, CBD is considered a promising new agent in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. However, the exact molecular mechanism of action of CBD still remains unknown. In the present preclinical review, we provide a summary of animal-based studies that support the use of CBD as an anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like compound. Next, we describe neuropharmacological evidence that links the molecular pharmacology of CBD to its behavioral effects. Finally, by taking into consideration the effects of CBD on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs, we elaborate on the putative role of epigenetic mechanisms in mediating CBD’s therapeutic outcomes.

scholarly journals The evolution and comparative neurobiology of endocannabinoid signalling

2012 ◽  
Vol 367 (1607) ◽  
pp. 3201-3215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice R. Elphick
Keyword(s):  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
System Level ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Sea Squirt ◽  
Neuronal Signalling ◽  
Retrograde Signalling ◽  
Electrophysiological Studies ◽  
Transient Receptor

CB 1 - and CB 2 -type cannabinoid receptors mediate effects of the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide in mammals. In canonical endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic plasticity, 2-AG is generated postsynaptically by diacylglycerol lipase alpha and acts via presynaptic CB 1 -type cannabinoid receptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release. Electrophysiological studies on lampreys indicate that this retrograde signalling mechanism occurs throughout the vertebrates, whereas system-level studies point to conserved roles for endocannabinoid signalling in neural mechanisms of learning and control of locomotor activity and feeding. CB 1 /CB 2 -type receptors originated in a common ancestor of extant chordates, and in the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis a CB 1 /CB 2 -type receptor is targeted to axons, indicative of an ancient role for cannabinoid receptors as axonal regulators of neuronal signalling. Although CB 1 /CB 2 -type receptors are unique to chordates, enzymes involved in biosynthesis/inactivation of endocannabinoids occur throughout the animal kingdom. Accordingly, non-CB 1 /CB 2 -mediated mechanisms of endocannabinoid signalling have been postulated. For example, there is evidence that 2-AG mediates retrograde signalling at synapses in the nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis by activating presynaptic transient receptor potential vanilloid-type ion channels. Thus, postsynaptic synthesis of 2-AG or anandamide may be a phylogenetically widespread phenomenon, and a variety of proteins may have evolved as presynaptic (or postsynaptic) receptors for endocannabinoids.

scholarly journals Computational Approach Reveals Pronociceptive Potential of Cannabidiol in Osteoarthritis: Role of Transient Receptor Potential Channels

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 964
Author(s):  
Jakub Mlost ◽  
Marta Kędziora ◽  
Katarzyna Starowicz
Keyword(s):  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Channels ◽  
Joint Disease ◽  
Mathematical Methods ◽  
Potential Channels ◽  
Transient Receptor

Systems pharmacology employs computational and mathematical methods to study the network of interactions a drug may have within complex biological pathways. These tools are well suited for research on multitarget drugs, such as natural compounds, in diseases with complex etiologies, such as osteoarthritis (OA). The present study focuses on cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis, targeting over 60 distinct molecular targets as a potential treatment for OA, a degenerative joint disease leading to chronic pain with a neuropathic component. We successfully identified molecular targets of CBD that were relevant in the context of OA treatment with both beneficial and detrimental effects. Our findings were confirmed by in vivo and molecular studies. A key role of PPARγ in mediating the therapeutic potential of CBD was revealed, whereas upregulation of multiple transient receptor potential channels demasked CBD-induced heat hyperalgesia. Our findings pave the way for novel CBD-based therapy with improved therapeutic potential but also encourage the use of bioinformatic tools to predict the mechanism of action of CBD in different conditions. We have also created an accessible web tool for analogous analysis of CBD pharmacology in the context of any disease of interest and made it publicly available.

scholarly journals Understanding cannabinoid receptors: structure and function

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Angelika Andrzejewska ◽  
Klaudia Staszak ◽  
Marta Kaczmarek-Ryś ◽  
Ryszard Słomski ◽  
Szymon Hryhorowicz
Keyword(s):  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Channels ◽  
The Body ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Transient Receptor

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of the endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids. The whole EC system plays an important role in the proper functioning of the central and autonomic nervous system. ECS is involved in the regulation of the body energy and in the functioning of the endocrine system. It can affect on the regulation of emotional states, motoric movement, operations of the endocrine, immune and digestive system. Many of the effects of cannabinoids are mediated by G coupled –protein receptors: CB1, CB2 and GPR55 but also of transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) which not only induce the sensation of pain but also support inflammation via secretion of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides. In this review work we briefly summarize the role and action of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1).

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