Researchers at the Jena Pharmaceutical Institute studied the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids, with a particular focus on CBD (cannabidiol). They found that CBD activates enzymes that lead to resolution of inflammation and believe these findings could lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases.
An international research team has revealed the mechanism of action of cannabinoids in inflammation.
Germany’s federal government recently made a controversial choice to decriminalize the possession and purchase of small amounts of cannabis.
If the German parliament approves the bill, the “Cannabis Law” will come into force the following year. While many believe the measure is long-awaited, others are persistently warned of the health risks associated with consuming cannabis.
Jena researchers and their colleagues now take a different view of the traditional medicinal plant cannabis, according to a study published in the journal. cell chemical biology.
A team from the Institute of Pharmacy investigated how certain components of the cannabis plant fight inflammation. Previous studies have already shown that cannabis is not only an analgesic and antispasmodic, but also has anti-inflammatory properties.
“However, the reason for its anti-inflammatory effect has been largely unknown,” says Dr. Paul Mike Jordan, who led the study with Professor Oliver Wertz.
Dr. Paul Mike Jordan (left) studies the effects of cannabinoids in humans with Lucas K. Peltner (right).Credit: Anna Koenig
Researchers have studied how different cannabinoidscontaining psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol) are already present in freely available products today and act on human immune cells. “We found that all eight cannabinoids we studied had anti-inflammatory properties,” says PhD student and lead author of the study, Lucas Peltner. “We found that all the compounds we studied inhibited the formation of pro-inflammatory messenger substances in cells, while at the same time promoting the formation of substances that resolved inflammation.”
CBD induces immune cell switches
CBD in particular proved to be very effective and the team investigated in more detail regarding its mechanism of action. The researchers were able to determine that CBD activates the 15-lipoxygenase-1 enzyme, which triggers the production of messenger substances that clear inflammation, which in turn subsides inflammation.
“CBD induces a switch in the affected cells that, so to speak, takes the inflammatory process from a promoting side to a suppressing side,” explains Dr. Jordan. The researchers were able to confirm these results obtained in cell culture in animal studies using mice.
In the long term, the researchers conclude, the insights gained may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating inflammatory diseases. Research should focus on CBD, the most effective cannabinoid. Previously approved formulations containing cannabinoids contain CBD, but “also contain psychoactive THC, which can cause a variety of side effects,” notes Dr. Jordan. A remedy that contains only CBD alleviates this problem.
Reference: “Cannabidiol acts as a molecular switch in innate immune cells, promoting the biosynthesis of lipid mediators that resolve inflammation.” Lukas K. Peltner, Lars Gluthmann, Friedemann Börner, Simona Pace, Robert K. Hoffstetter, Christian By Kretzer, Rosella Bilancia, Federica Polastro, Andreas Koeberle, Giovanni Appendino, Antonietta Rossi, Marcia E. Newcomer, Nathaniel C. Gilbert, Oliver Wertz, Paul M. Jordan, August 29, 2023 , cell chemical biology.
DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.08.001
This research activity is carried out within the collaborative research centers “PolyTarget” and “ChemBioSys” at the University of Jena, Germany, and is funded by the German Research Foundation.
