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The neuroprotective potential of Cannabis sativa L. against Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia and represents a significant global health challenge in aging parts of society. Various treatment options are available for Alzheimer's disease. However, these only lead to temporary symptomatic improvements. Cannabis sativa L. has been known for its psychoactive properties for thousands of years. Current research seeks to re-evaluate cannabis as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. A recent phytomedicine study examined the neuroprotective potential of the active components of C. sativa L. in the treatment of dementia and AD. Learning: Assessing the neuroprotective potential of Cannabis Sativa L: from the laboratory to the bedside. Photo credit: Bukhta...
The neuroprotective potential of Cannabis sativa L. against Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia and represents a significant global health challenge in aging parts of society. Various treatment options are available for Alzheimer's disease. However, these only lead to temporary symptomatic improvements.
Cannabis sativa L. has been known for its psychoactive properties for thousands of years. Current research seeks to re-evaluate cannabis as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent one Phytomedicine Study examines the neuroprotective potential of the active components of C. sativa L. in the treatment of dementia and AD.
background
AD is a complex and neurodegenerative disease characterized by increased reactive nitrogen species (RNS), decreased acetylcholine (ACh) levels, mitochondrial damage, aberrant neuronal networks, chronic neuroinflammation, and hippocampal shrinkage. There are synthetic and semi-synthetic therapeutics available to treat Alzheimer's disease; However, there remains an urgent need to intervene in this disease before dementia and cognitive decline occur.
The bioactive properties of C. sativa L. have gained renewed interest in the context of the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, its phytocannabinoids and terpenes offer immense chemical diversity and have the potential to delay the onset of dementia-like symptoms. Additionally, phytocannabinoids have also shown promising memory-enhancing effects.
Significant research is still needed on the potential synergies between combinations of C. sativa compounds in dementia prevention. The diverse phytochemicals of C. sativa exert neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects in its seeds, roots and shoots.
To address this gap, in the current study, researchers examined the neuroprotective potential of C. sativa L. in the treatment of AD. They are also evaluating preclinical data to support further research into medicinal formulations of cannabis that preserve key neuroactive phytochemicals.
About the study
All relevant in vitro and in vivo information on the neuroprotective abilities of the phytoconstituents of C. sativa L. in preclinical studies were included in the current study. This information was then categorized as therapeutic applications against various neurodegenerative diseases.
All data were collected from multiple online databases, including Science Direct, The Plant List, PubMed, Elsevier, and supplemented with relevant information on listed phytochemicals and their known pharmacological effects.
Key insights
Numerous phytochemicals present in C. sativa L. have been found to have promising efficacy in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, with AD serving as an example.
In addition, many phytocannabinoids and terpenes, as well as some selected flavonoids, demonstrated neuroprotection provided through a number of molecular and cellular pathways. These pathways could be cannabinoid receptor-mediated, amyloid β, or directly antiaggregatory and antioxidant against the pathologically toxic hallmark protein in AD.
The entourage paths could be further elucidated; However, future work on the effects of terpenoids on cannabinoid distribution and metabolism is needed. Terpenoids may also increase the bioavailability of phytocannabinoids, which should also be further investigated, with particular emphasis on investigating possible synergistic modes of action.
Conclusions
Empirical research has predicted a global increase in life expectancy associated with a greater prevalence of AD and other dementias. With the increasing number of patients with dementia, the demand for nutraceuticals and therapies with neuroprotective abilities has also increased.
The current review provides further information on the novel and effective role of C. sativa phytocannabinoids and terpenes in the prevention of neurotoxicity. This has been extensively demonstrated by preclinical studies in cell and animal models of neurodegenerative signaling pathways in AD.
With advances in extraction techniques, phytochemical profiling technology, and understanding of C. sativa extracts, scientists have been able to uncover synergistic relationships in the complex matrix of C. sativa compounds. These relationships could bring significant advances in the development of therapies for dementia and preventive treatments for AD.
Reference:
- Gesetze III, JS und Smid, SD (2022). Bewertung des Neuroprotektionspotenzials von Cannabis Sativa L.: vom Labor bis zum Krankenbett. Phytomedizin. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154485 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711322005748?via%3Dihub
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