Cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and related analogs in inflammation.
This review covers reports published in the last 5 years on the anti-inflammatory activities of all classes of cannabinoids, including phytocannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, synthetic analogs such as ajulemic acid and nabilone, the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and related compounds, namely, the elmiric acids, and finally, noncannabinoid components of Cannabis that show anti-inflammatory action. It is intended to be an update on the topic of the involvement of cannabinoids in the process of inflammation. A possible mechanism for these actions is suggested involving increased production of eicosanoids that promote the resolution of inflammation. This differentiates these cannabinoids from cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors that suppress the synthesis of eicosanoids that promote the induction of the inflammatory process.
Burstein
Sumner H
SH
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation St., Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA. sumner.burstein@umassmed.edu
Zurier
Robert B
RB
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000737:chemistry; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D051381:Rats; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D015777:Eicosanoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; C465623:N-arachidonylglycine; D010938:Plant Oils; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D013759:Dronabinol; C471849:lenabasum; D005998:Glycine