Cannabinoids are lipophilic substances derived from Cannabis sativa that can exert a variety of effects in the human body.They have been studied in cellular and animal models as well as in human clinical trials for their therapeutic benefits in several human diseases.Some of these include central nervous system(CNS)diseases and dysfunctions such as forms of epilepsy,multiple sclerosis,Parkinson’s disease,pain and neuropsychiatric disorders.In addition,the endogenously produced cannabinoid lipids,endocannabinoids,are critical for normal CNS function,and if controlled or modified,may represent an additional therapeutic avenue for CNS diseases.This review discusses in vitro cellular,ex vivo tissue and in vivo animal model studies on cannabinoids and their utility as therapeutics in multiple CNS pathologies.In addition,the review provides an overview on the use of cannabinoids in human clinical trials for a variety of CNS diseases.Cannabinoids and endocannabinoids hold promise for use as disease modifiers and therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.
Globally,it is evident that glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)is an aggressive malignant cancer with a high mortality rate and no effective treatment options.Glioblastoma is classified as the stage-four progression of a glioma tumor,and its diagnosis results in a shortened life expectancy.Treatment options for GBM include chemotherapy,immunotherapy,surgical intervention,and conventional pharmacotherapy;however,at best,they extend the patient’s life by a maximum of 5 years.GBMs are considered incurable due to their high recurrence rate,despite various aggressive therapeutic approaches which can have many serious adverse effects.Ceramides,classified as endocannabinoids,offer a promising novel therapeutic approach for GBM.Endocannabinoids may enhance the apoptosis of GBM cells but have no effect on normal healthy neural cells.Cannabinoids promote atypical protein kinase C,deactivate fatty acid amide hydrolase enzymes,and activate transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)and TRPV2 to induce pro-apoptotic signaling pathways without increasing endogenous cannabinoids.In previous in vivo studies,endocannabinoids,chemically classified as amide formations of oleic and palmitic acids,have been shown to increase the pro-apoptotic activity of human cancer cells and inhibit cell migration and angiogenesis.This review focuses on the biological synthesis and pharmacology of endogenous cannabinoids for the enhancement of cancer cell apoptosis,which have potential as a novel therapy for GBM.
The endocannabinoid system(ECS),particularly its signaling pathways and ligands,has garnered considerable interest in recent years.Along with clinical work investigating the ECS’functions,including its role in the development of neurological and inflammatory conditions,much research has focused on developing analytical protocols enabling the precise monitoring of the levels and metabolism of the most potent ECS ligands:exogenous phytocannabinoids(PCs)and endogenous cannabinoids(endocannabinoids,ECs).Solid-phase microextraction(SPME)is an advanced,non-exhaustive sample-preparation technique that facilitates the precise and efficient isolation of trace amounts of analytes,thus making it appealing for the analysis of PCs and ECs in complex matrices of plant and animal/human origin.In this paper,we review recent forensic medicine and toxicological studies wherein SPME has been applied to monitor levels of PCs and ECs in complex matrices,determine their effects on organism physiology,and assess their role in the development of several diseases.
Katarzyna WozniczkaPawełKonieczynskiAlina PlenisTomasz Ba˛czekAnna Roszkowska
