title: Pharmacology and toxicology of Cannabis derivatives and endocannabinoid agonists.
abstract: For centuries Cannabis sativa and cannabis extracts have been used in natural medicine. Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main active ingredient of Cannabis. THC seems to be responsible for most of the pharmacological and therapeutic actions of cannabis. In a few countries THC extracts (i.e. Sativex) or THC derivatives such as nabilone, and dronabinol are used in the clinic for the treatment of several pathological conditions like chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. On the other hand the severe side effects and the high abuse liability of these agents represent a serious limitation in their medical use. In addition, diversion in the use of these active ingredients for recreational purpose is a concern. Over recent years, alternative approaches using synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists or agents acting as activators of the endocannabinoid systems are under scrutiny with the hope to develop more effective and safer clinical applications. Likely, in the near future few of these new molecules will be available for clinical use. The present article review recent study and patents with focus on the cannabinoid system as a target for the treatment of central nervous system disorders with emphasis on agonists.
authors.affiliation: Health and Human Development Section, Division for Operations, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Room D1438, P.O. Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria. gilberto.gerra@unodc.org
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerra
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaimovic
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gerra
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciccocioppo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cippitelli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serpelloni
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Somaini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000819:agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002188:Cannabis; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000503:physiopathology; D010330:Patents as Topic; D008517:Phytotherapy; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1