Special Issue "Cannabinoids"

Guest Editor
Dr. Saoirse O\'Sullivan
School of Graduate Entry, Medicine & Health, Derby City General Hospital, University of Nottingham, DE22 3DT, UK
E-Mail: saoirse.osullivan@nottingham.ac.uk
Interests: cannabinoid; artery; vasorelaxation; vascular function; adipose tissue; obesity; metabolic syndrome; gut permeability; nuclear receptor; PPARs

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Rudolf Brenneisen
Department of Clinical Research/Phytopharmacology, Bioanalytics & Pharmacokinetics, University of Bern, Murtenstr. 35, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
Website: http://www.phytopharm.dkf.unibe.ch/
E-Mail: rudolf.brenneisen@dkf.unibe.ch
Interests: pharmacology and clinical studies of natural and synthetic drugs, mainly cannabinoids and opioids; development of pulmonal applications forms; heroin maintenance programs; development and validation of chromatographic-spectroscopic methods for pharmacological, toxicological and pharmaceutical applications; cannabis profiling (chemical fingerprinting); monitoring of drugs in body fluids; pharmacokinetic profiling and metabolism of drugs and drugs of abuse; ethnopharmacognosy and -pharmacology of medicinal plants

Dear Colleagues,

We invite authors to submit papers to Pharmaceuticals in the exciting field of Cannabinoid research. This special issue is to include original articles on basic or clinical reserach on the endocannabinoid system (including enocannabinoids and the enzymes involved in their synthesis and degradation), phytocannabinoid (such as THC, CBD, THCV) or cannabis preparations (such as Sativex) in any reserach area, but particularly investigations looking at novel compounds or novel sites of action. We also welcome review articles on complex and controversial areas in cannabinoid pharmacology.

Prof. Dr. Rudolf Brenneisen
Dr. Saoirse O'Sullivan
Guest Editor

Submission

All manuscripts should be submitted to pharmaceuticals@mdpi.com with a copy to the Guest Editor. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI.

• phytocannabinoids
• endocannabinoids
• cannabis-based medicines
• cannabinoid receptors
• nuclear receptors
• novel receptor sites of action
• orphan g-protein coupled receptors
• FAAH
• MAGL
• basic research
• clinical trials
• cardiovascular system
• respiratory system
• gastrointestinal
• adipose tissue
• metabolism
• reproduction
• bone growth
• central nervous sytem

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Review on Clinical Studies with Cannabis and Cannabinoids 2005-2009
Authors: Arno Hazekamp and Franjo Grotenhermen; E-Mails: ahazekamp@rocketmail.com (A.H.); info@cannabis-med.org (F.G.)
Abstract: The use of cannabis as a medicine remains a constant topic of discussion. To date, a large number of controlled clinical trials have been done evaluating the therapeutic applications of cannabis and cannabis-based preparations. This review reports on the most recent clinical data available. A systematic search was performed in the scientific databases of Medline and PubMed, focused on clinical studies that were randomized, (double) blinded, and placebo-controlled. The period screened was from July 1, 2005 up to August 1, 2009. Clinical data from the period 1976 to July 2005 has been previously reviewed.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Role of Cannabinoids in the Modulation of Inflammatory Process
Authors: Daniele Bani ¹ Guido Mannaioni ² Maria Beatrice Passani ² and Emanuela Masini ²
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
² Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Florence, Italy; E-Mail: emanuela.masini@unifi.it
Abstract: to be added

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Role of Cannabinoids in Cognitive Control: Focus on Schizophrenia
Author: Marco Bortolato
Affiliation: Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Science, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, PSC 527, Los Angeles, 90089 California, USA; E-Mail: bortolat@usc.edu
Abstract: The main psychoactive ingredient of Cannabis sativa, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is known to produce complex effects on multiple cognitive domains, ranging from perceptual to mnemonic functions. Accordingly, recent clinical and preclinical studies indicate that the cannabinoid system plays a key role in the course and pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. However, the impact of cannabinoid ligands on schizophrenia appears highly variable, likely in relation to the implication of numerous factors, including different receptors and neurotransmitter systems. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive presentation on the current state of knowledge of the involvement of cannabinoids in cognition and highlight the novel perspectives offered by this system in antipsychotic therapy.

Title: Endocannabinoids and Human Sperm Cells
Authors: G. Zolese, A. Ambrosini, E. Bertoli and R. Fiorini
Affiliation: Dept. of Biochemistry, Biology and Genetic Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; E-Mail: r.fiorini@univpm.it (R.F.)
Abstract: N-acylethanolamides (endocannabinoids) are naturally occurring signaling lipids consisting of amides and esters of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.Usually they are present in a very small amount in many mammalian tissues and cells, including human reproductive tracts and fluids. Growing evidences indicate that endocannabinoids affect spermatozoa physiologic functions involved in fertilization. This review will concern the most recent data available.

Title: Modulation of Early Human Reproduction by the Endocanninoid System
Authors: Katerina Bambang, Tulay Karusu, Alpha Gebeh, Anthony Taylor, Timothy Marzcylo, Patricia Lam, Jon Willets and Justin C Konje
Affiliation: Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; E-Mail: jck4@leicester.ac.uk (J.C.K.)
Abstract: There is an increasing understanding that the endocannabinoid system is the crucial cytokine-hormone system regulating early human pregnancy. The synchronous development of the fertilized embryo and the endometrium to ensure timely implantation has shown to be one of the pivotal steps to successful implantation. This development is thought to be regulated by a finely balanced relationship between various components of the endocannabinoid system both in the endometrium, the embryo and the fallopian tube. In addition, this system has also been shown to be involved in the regulation of the development and maturation of the gametes prior to fertilization. In this review, we will examine the evidence from animal and human studies to support the role of the endocannabinoid system in gametogenesis, fertilization, implantation and early pregnancy maintenance. We will discuss the role of the cannabinoid receptors [CB1, CB2, GPR55 and the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor (TRPV1)], the enzymes involved in the synthesis of the key endocannabinoid ligands (anandamide and 2-arachinoylglycerol) and their degradation in early reproduction.