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Molecular Advances on Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Research, 3rd Edition
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Molecular Advances on Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Research, 3rd Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 4489

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rosaria Meccariello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medical, Human Movement and Well-being Sciences, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
Interests: endocannabinoid system; endocannabinoids–GnRH–steroids crosstalk; kisspeptins; reproduction; HPG axis; spermatogenesis; spermatozoa; endocrine disruptors; epigenetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marijuana has been used for recreational and medical purposes since ancient times. In 1964, Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni, two pioneers of cannabinoid research, first reported the structure of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the main psychotropic phytocannabinoid in Cannabis L. sativa, revealing the pharmacological and therapeutic potential of plant-derived cannabinoids. Studies on Δ9-THC were pivotal to the discovery of cannabinoid receptors and endogenous cannabinoids (i.e., endocannabinoids), revealing the existence of a conserved endogenous signaling system that is involved in many biological functions. Endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like substances, canonical and non-canonical cannabinoid receptors, biosynthetic/hydrolyzing enzymes and transporters have been discovered in biological systems, and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a recognized role in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, neuroinflammation, pain control, stress response, mood and behavior, energy homeostasis, food intake and metabolism, reproduction, fertility and pregnancy, immune response, cardiac functions, cancer progression, etc. Furthermore, the isolation of several psychotropic and non-psychotropic plant-derived cannabinoids in parallel to the development of agonists/antagonists/inhibitors of the ECS has gathered attention with regard to the development of cannabinoid-based therapies. Recreational/medical use of cannabinoids is gaining traction and legitimacy in many countries, but the large distribution of cannabinoid receptors in biological systems and the pleiotropic activity of the ECS require further investigation.

This Special Issue aims to update the knowledge of molecular advances in cannabinoid and endocannabinoid research in physiological and pathological conditions, with a focus on molecular and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and possible therapeutic exploitation. Experimental studies in in vitro and in vivo models, review articles, and clinical studies are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Rosaria Meccariello
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • cannabinoid
  • endocannabinoid
  • cannabinoid receptor
  • endogenous cannabinoid
  • pharmacological research

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 4076 KB  
Article
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of the Stembark Essential Oils of Two Cannabis sativa L. Cultivars from Komga, South Africa
by Anwuli E. Odieka, Ayodeji O. Oriola, Gugulethu M. Miya, Pallab Kar, Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji, Mavuto Gondwe, Yiseyon S. Hosu, Thami Madliwa and Adebola O. Oyedeji
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178552 - 3 Sep 2025
Viewed by 470
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. is an aromatic medicinal plant with various biologically active classes of compounds such as cannabinoids, polyphenols, and terpenes. Unlike the widely investigated inflorescence and leaf, the stembark of C. sativa has been overlooked regarding its medicinal potential. This study, therefore, [...] Read more.
Cannabis sativa L. is an aromatic medicinal plant with various biologically active classes of compounds such as cannabinoids, polyphenols, and terpenes. Unlike the widely investigated inflorescence and leaf, the stembark of C. sativa has been overlooked regarding its medicinal potential. This study, therefore, was aimed at determining the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the fresh and dried stembark of two C. sativa cultivars, Lifter and Cherrywine, grown in Komga, South Africa, with a view to ascertaining the more promising cultivar. The chemical profiles of the hydro-distilled EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while an in vitro antioxidant activity assessment of the EOs was performed using DPPH and H2O2 spectrophotometric methods. The identified constituents from the EOs were molecularly docked against NOX2, a protein implicated in oxidative stress. The afforded EOs were colorless with a mild skunk-like odor. A total of thirty-two constituents were identified in both fresh and dry oils from the Lifter cultivar while the Cherrywine cultivar contained a total of forty-two constituents. The EOs of both cultivars contained twenty compounds, notably Cannabidiol (0.25–85.03%), Caryophyllene oxide (1.27–19.58%), Caryophyllene (0.64–16.61%), Humulene (0.37–8.15%), Octacosane (3.37–6.55%), Humulene-1,2-epoxide (0.45–5.78%), Nerolidol (0.32–4.99%), Palmitic acid (1.45–4.45%), Tetracosane (1.75–2.91%), Dronabinol (0.86–2.86%), Cannabinol (0.54–1.64%), 7-epi-γ-eudesmol (0.53–1.00%), Guaiol (0.37–0.66%), Linoleic acid (0.22–0.60%), γ-Selinene (0.15–0.48%), β-Eudesmol (0.34–0.50%), and Linalool (0.24–0.30%). The dried Lifter stembark oil (DLSO) gave the best antioxidant activity among the four investigated cannabis oils, exhibiting the lowest IC50 values of 21.68 ± 1.71 and 26.20 ± 1.34 µg/mL against DPPH and H2O2 radicals, respectively. The notable antioxidant activity of the DLSO may be attributed to the higher number (30) of constituents compared to the fresh Lifter stembark oil (LSO) with 11 constituents. Additionally, the DLSO showed a unique chemical profile comprising monoterpenes, oxygenated and hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. Further in silico studies on the putative constituents in the Lifter cultivar revealed Cannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Linalool as the promising constituents based on their higher binding energy scores of −9.7, −8.5, and −6.5 kcal/mol, respectively, compared to L-Ascorbic acid (−5.7 kcal/mol). It can be inferred from this study that the EOs from the stembark of C. sativa contain promising compounds, such as Cannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Linalool, which might be responsible for the displayed antioxidant activity of the oils. Thus, the study findings underscore the biological importance of C. sativa stembark in the management of oxidative stress-related conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances on Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Research, 3rd Edition)
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15 pages, 1384 KB  
Article
Metabolism of Cannabidiol in Respiratory-Associated Cells and HepG2-Derived Cells and Molecular Docking of Cannabidiol and Its Metabolites with CYP Enzymes and Cannabinoid Receptors
by Krittawan Tongkanarak, Pijush Kumar Paul, Muhammad A. Khumaini Mudhar Bintang, Roongnapa Suedee, Somchai Sawatdee and Teerapol Srichana
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8384; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178384 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 556
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been reported in medical applications for various indications. The enzymatic metabolism of CBD is not fully understood in the different routes of administration. This research aimed to identify the CBD metabolites after incubation of CBD with derived hepatocyte cells (HepG2), [...] Read more.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been reported in medical applications for various indications. The enzymatic metabolism of CBD is not fully understood in the different routes of administration. This research aimed to identify the CBD metabolites after incubation of CBD with derived hepatocyte cells (HepG2), bronchial epithelial cells (NCI-H358), alveolar cells (A549), and alveolar macrophage cells (NR8383). A liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry technique was developed to quantify the CBD and its metabolites. Molecular docking was employed to evaluate the binding affinity of CBD with different cytochrome P-450 (CYP-450) enzymes and further predict the implication of drug–drug interactions. CBD and major metabolites of CBD were also docked with cannabinoid receptors. The results revealed that only HepG2 cells metabolized CBD to 7-hydroxy-CBD (7-OH-CBD) and 7-carboxy-CBD (7-COOH-CBD), whereas other respiratory cell lines and alveolar macrophages were found to have mainly CBD in the incubated samples without any metabolites. The CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 enzymes were responsible for CBD conversion to hydroxylated CBD metabolites. The 7-OH-CBD and 7-COOH-CBD metabolites were found to bind to cannabinoid receptors with different affinities. The relative abundance of CBD and major metabolites may indicate the potential route of CBD administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances on Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Research, 3rd Edition)
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Review

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35 pages, 1877 KB  
Review
Dysregulation of the Cannabinoid System in Childhood Epilepsy: From Mechanisms to Therapy
by Gloria Montebello and Giuseppe Di Giovanni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6234; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136234 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 3203
Abstract
Epilepsy affects over 12 million children worldwide, with approximately 30% classified as having drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), often accompanied by neuropsychiatric comorbidities that severely impact quality of life. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) functions as a multifaceted neuromodulatory network regulating neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and [...] Read more.
Epilepsy affects over 12 million children worldwide, with approximately 30% classified as having drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), often accompanied by neuropsychiatric comorbidities that severely impact quality of life. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) functions as a multifaceted neuromodulatory network regulating neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and immune homeostasis from early life through adolescence and into aging. In pediatric epilepsies, alterations in ECS components, particularly CB1 receptor expression and endocannabinoid levels, reveal disorder-specific vulnerabilities and therapeutic opportunities. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from Cannabis sativa, has shown strong preclinical and clinical efficacy in treating DRE and is approved for Dravet syndrome, Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Other ECS-based strategies, such as the use of CB1 receptor-positive allosteric modulators, can selectively enhance endogenous cannabinoid signaling where and when it is active, potentially reducing seizures in conditions like Dravet and absence epilepsy. Similarly, FAAH and MAGL inhibitors may help restore ECS tone without directly activating CB1 receptors. Precision targeting of ECS components based on regional expression and syndrome-specific pathophysiology may optimize seizure control and associated comorbidities. Nonetheless, long-term pediatric use must be approached with caution, given the critical role of the ECS in brain development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances on Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Research, 3rd Edition)
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