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Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Innovative Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids
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Innovative Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 14054

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anna Stasiłowicz-Krzemień

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Interests: cannabis medicine; patient care; neuroprotection; drug delivery systems; biomaterials
Prof. Dr. Judyta Cielecka-Piontek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacognosy and Biomaterials, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Interests: drug delivery systems; biomaterials; functional foods; pharmaceutical products; wound care
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue on “Innovative Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids” explores the diverse uses of cannabinoids in modern medicine and therapeutics. In recent years, there has been growing interest in cannabis and cannabinoids due to their potential therapeutic benefits. Our knowledge about secondary cannabis metabolites, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and other constituents, is growing. The mechanisms underlying their biological activity involve interactions with the endocannabinoid system and other molecular targets. These interactions influence various physiological processes, such as pain, mood, and inflammation. Continued research is crucial to fully elucidate these mechanisms and optimize the therapeutic use of cannabis.

In this Special Issue, we aim to gather articles that explore the latest advances and emerging trends in the applications of cannabis and cannabinoids. We welcome submissions that focus on a broad range of topics, including innovative therapeutic uses, novel formulations, and targeted delivery systems. Our goal is to highlight cutting-edge research and developments that showcase the therapeutic potential and diverse applications of cannabis and cannabinoids. This Special Issue collates studies and articles highlighting the significant progress made in understanding the pharmacological properties of cannabis and its constituents, their mechanisms of activity, and their potential benefits in treating various medical conditions.

Dr. Anna Stasiłowicz-Krzemień
Prof. Dr. Judyta Cielecka-Piontek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short 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 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. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cannabis
  • cannabinoids
  • cannabidiol
  • tetrahydrocannabinol
  • endocannabinoid system
  • biopharmaceuticals
  • pharmacology
  • drug delivery

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2017 KiB  
Article
Cannabinoid-2 Receptor Activation Attenuates Sulfur Mustard Analog 2-Chloroethyl-Ethyl-Sulfide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice
by Gregory Nicholson, Nicholas Richards, Janette Lockett, My Boi Ly, Raj V. Nair, Woong-Ki Kim, K. Yaragudri Vinod and Nagaraja Nagre
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18020236 - 10 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1053
Abstract
Background: Exposure to sulfur mustard (SM; 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl sulfide) causes toxicity in the human body, particularly the lungs. The molecular mechanisms of SM-induced lung damage are elusive, and no effective treatments exist. This study explores the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) activation [...] Read more.
Background: Exposure to sulfur mustard (SM; 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl sulfide) causes toxicity in the human body, particularly the lungs. The molecular mechanisms of SM-induced lung damage are elusive, and no effective treatments exist. This study explores the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) activation in mitigating acute lung injury (ALI) and inflammation induced by 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), a structural analog of SM. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were exposed to CEES via intratracheal administration to model ALI. CB2R activation was achieved through the intraperitoneal administration of HU308, a selective synthetic agonist. ALI and inflammation were evaluated at 48 h post-exposure to CEES. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to measure total cells, protein, and cytokines. Lung injury, inflammatory signaling in alveolar macrophages (AMs), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity were assessed via histological analysis, immunoblotting, and gelatin zymography, respectively. Results: CEES exposure led to an increase in immune cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), and pro-MMP9 levels in the BALF, which were significantly decreased by HU308 treatment. The activation of CB2R attenuated CEES-induced NF-κB activation and reduced pro-inflammatory M1 markers (iNOS, and Cox-2) but did not alter the increase in the M2 marker arginase-1. CB2R activation mitigated CEES-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse AMs. Additionally, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels were reduced in the lungs of HU308-treated mice but were elevated after CEES exposure. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CB2R activation alleviates CEES-induced ALI and inflammation in mice, supporting its potential as a therapeutic approach for vesicant-induced pulmonary injury. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids)
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Review

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29 pages, 2268 KiB  
Review
Research and Clinical Practice Involving the Use of Cannabis Products, with Emphasis on Cannabidiol: A Narrative Review
by João Luís Q. Simei, José Diogo R. Souza, João Francisco Pedrazzi, Francisco S. Guimarães, Alline Cristina Campos, Antônio Zuardi, Jaime Eduardo C. Hallak and José Alexandre S. Crippa
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(12), 1644; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17121644 - 6 Dec 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5441
Abstract
Background: Emerging evidence supports cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising therapeutic compound for various health conditions, despite its approval as a medication (product for medical purposes) remaining restricted to a limited range of clinical indications. Simultaneously, the regulation of cannabis-derived products for medicinal and [...] Read more.
Background: Emerging evidence supports cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising therapeutic compound for various health conditions, despite its approval as a medication (product for medical purposes) remaining restricted to a limited range of clinical indications. Simultaneously, the regulation of cannabis-derived products for medicinal and recreational use has expanded their global market availability to meet local community demands. This scenario presents a complex challenge for clinicians, researchers, and industry, as the global appeal of therapeutic uses of CBD is growing more rapidly than the scientific evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness. Outcomes: A narrative review was conducted to discuss the best evidence regarding the pharmacological profile of CBD, its efficacy, and safety within the context of regulation and perspectives on the development of new cannabinoid-based drugs. Key articles addressing the various facets of this issue were selected for comprehensive analysis. Conclusions: Clinicians and researchers may face unique challenges in understanding the pharmacological profile of CBD and the prospects for developing its clinical indications, given the heterogeneity of clinical terminologies and the quality and composition of cannabis-based medical products available on the market. More basic and clinical research that complies with regulatory agencies’ testing guidelines, such as good manufacturing practices (GMPs), good laboratory practices (GLPs), and good clinical practices (GCPs), is needed to obtain approval for CBD or any other cannabinoid as a therapeutic for broader clinical indications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids)
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24 pages, 5913 KiB  
Review
The Entourage Effect in Cannabis Medicinal Products: A Comprehensive Review
by Rebeca André, Ana Patrícia Gomes, Catarina Pereira-Leite, António Marques-da-Costa, Luis Monteiro Rodrigues, Michael Sassano, Patricia Rijo and Maria do Céu Costa
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(11), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17111543 - 17 Nov 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6934
Abstract
This study explores the complementary or synergistic effects of medicinal cannabis constituents, particularly terpenes, concerning their therapeutic potential, known as the entourage effect. A systematic review of the literature on cannabis “entourage effects” was conducted using the PRISMA model. Two research questions directed [...] Read more.
This study explores the complementary or synergistic effects of medicinal cannabis constituents, particularly terpenes, concerning their therapeutic potential, known as the entourage effect. A systematic review of the literature on cannabis “entourage effects” was conducted using the PRISMA model. Two research questions directed the review: (1) What are the physiological effects of terpenes and terpenoids found in cannabis? (2) What are the proven “entourage effects” of terpenes in cannabis? The initial approach involved an exploratory search in electronic databases using predefined keywords and Boolean phrases across PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Analysis of published studies shows no evidence of neuroprotective or anti-aggregatory effects of α-pinene and β-pinene against β-amyloid-mediated toxicity; however, modest lipid peroxidation inhibition by α-pinene, β pinene, and terpinolene may contribute to the multifaceted neuroprotection properties of these C. sativa L. prevalent monoterpenes and the triterpene friedelin. Myrcene demonstrated anti-inflammatory proprieties topically; however, in combination with CBD, it did not show significant additional differences. Exploratory evidence suggests various therapeutic benefits of terpenes, such as myrcene for relaxation; linalool as a sleep aid and to relieve exhaustion and mental stress; D-limonene as an analgesic; caryophyllene for cold tolerance and analgesia; valencene for cartilage protection; borneol for antinociceptive and anticonvulsant potential; and eucalyptol for muscle pain. While exploratory research suggests terpenes as influencers in the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids, the potential for synergistic or additive enhancement of cannabinoid efficacy by terpenes remains unproven. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm any terpenes “entourage effects.” Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids)
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