Cannabinoids for the treatment of inflammation.
Cannabinoids are effective at suppressing immune and inflammation functions in leukocytes in vitro, and in animal models of acute inflammation, such as the mouse hind paw, ear and air pouch models, as well as gastrointestinal, pulmonary, myocardial, vascular, periodontal, neural, hepatic, pancreatic and arthritic inflammation models. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid receptor CB2 is emerging as a critical target for cannabinoid regulation of inflammation, and thus CB2-selective agonists are undergoing intense investigation and research. This review discusses the evidence for cannabinoid regulation of inflammation across a range of models and highlights the most promising drug candidates.
Ashton
John C
JC
University of Otago, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. john.ashton@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2