Topic Editors

Prof. Dr. Melanie Kelly
Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS B3H 4R2, Canada

Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Its Derivatives

Abstract submission deadline
31 March 2024
Manuscript submission deadline
30 September 2024
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6507

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the legalization of Cannabis sativa for medicinal use in many countries, modulation of the endocannabinoid system has been the subject of intense research interest. Despite being used since ancient times in traditional Asian medicine, its use in modern pharmacology has only become more commonplace in the last few years. Research into cannabis, cannabinoids, and their derivatives first began in 1964, when Gaoni and Mechoulam identified delta9-tetrahydocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. In the 1990s, the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor was cloned in both rats and humans, followed shortly after by a second cannabinoid receptor (CB2). Endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists (i.e., anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol) along with receptors and enzymes for the biosynthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids were then identified, and the endogenous cannabinoid signaling system was termed the “endocannabinoid system”. Since the discovery of endocannabinoids, many synthetic agonists and antagonists, as well as naturally occurring “phytocannabinoids” that target the endocannabinoid system, have been investigated and found to exhibit therapeutic potential in preclinical and clinical studies. This Topic will review and present novel scientific and clinical results regarding the potential therapeutic use of cannabis, cannabinoids, and their derivatives.

Prof. Dr. Melanie Kelly
Prof. Dr. Christian Lehmann
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • endocannabinoid system
  • cannabinoid receptors
  • endocannabinoids
  • phytocannabinoids
  • synthetic cannabinoids
  • terpenes

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Biomedicines
biomedicines
4.7 3.7 2013 14.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine
jcm
3.9 5.4 2012 19.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Molecules
molecules
4.6 6.7 1996 13.6 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Pharmaceutics
pharmaceutics
5.4 6.9 2009 17 Days CHF 2900 Submit
Scientia Pharmaceutica
scipharm
2.5 6.4 1930 21.7 Days CHF 1000 Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
ijms
5.6 7.8 2000 16.8 Days CHF 2900 Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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19 pages, 957 KiB  
Review
The Use of Cannabidiol in Metabolic Syndrome—An Opportunity to Improve the Patient’s Health or Much Ado about Nothing?
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(14), 4620; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12144620 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 960
Abstract
Cannabis-derived therapies are gaining popularity in the medical world. More and more perfect forms of cannabinoids are sought, which could be used in the treatment of many common diseases, including metabolic syndrome, whose occurrence is also increasing. The purpose of this review was [...] Read more.
Cannabis-derived therapies are gaining popularity in the medical world. More and more perfect forms of cannabinoids are sought, which could be used in the treatment of many common diseases, including metabolic syndrome, whose occurrence is also increasing. The purpose of this review was to investigate the usefulness of cannabinoids, mainly cannabidiol (CBD), in individuals with obesity, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, high blood pressure, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We summarised the most recent research on the broad topic of cannabis-derived influence on metabolic syndrome components. Since there is a lot of work on the effects of Δ9-THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) on metabolism and far less on cannabidiol, we felt it needed to be sorted out and summarised in this review. The research results on the use of cannabidiol in obesity are contraindicatory. When it comes to glucose homeostasis, it appears that CBD maintains it, sensitises adipose tissue to insulin, and reduces fasting glucose levels, so it seems to be a potential target in this kind of metabolic disorder, but some research results are inconclusive. CBD shows some promising results in the treatment of various lipid disorders. Some studies have proven its positive effect by decreasing LDL and increasing HDL as well. Despite their probable efficacy, CBD and its derivatives will likely remain an adjunctive treatment rather than a mainstay of therapy. Studies have also shown that CBD in patients with hypertension has positive effects, even though the hypotensive properties of cannabidiol are small. However, CBD can be used to prevent blood pressure surges, stabilise them, and have a protective effect on blood vessels. Results from preclinical studies have shown that the effect of cannabidiol on NAFLD may be potentially beneficial in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome and its components. Nevertheless, there is limited data on CBD and NAFLD in human studies. Because of the numerous confounding factors, the conclusions are unclear, and more research in this field is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Its Derivatives)
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20 pages, 14945 KiB  
Article
The Antibacterial Effect of Cannabigerol toward Streptococcus mutans Is Influenced by the Autoinducers 21-CSP and AI-2
Biomedicines 2023, 11(3), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11030668 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1123
Abstract
Bacteria can communicate through an intercellular signaling system referred to as quorum sensing (QS). The QS system involves the production of autoinducers that interact with their respective receptors, leading to the induction of specific signal transduction pathways. The QS systems of the oral [...] Read more.
Bacteria can communicate through an intercellular signaling system referred to as quorum sensing (QS). The QS system involves the production of autoinducers that interact with their respective receptors, leading to the induction of specific signal transduction pathways. The QS systems of the oral cariogenic Streptococcus mutans regulate the maturation of biofilms and affect its virulent properties. We have previously shown that the non-psychoactive compound cannabigerol (CBG) of the Cannabis sativa L. plant has anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities towards S. mutans. Here we were interested in investigating the effect of the two QS systems ComCDE and LuxS on the susceptibility of S. mutans to CBG and the anti-QS activities of CBG. This was assessed by using various comCDE and luxS mutant strains and complementation with the respective autoinducers, competence stimulating peptide (CSP) and (S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentandione (DPD, pre-AI-2). We found that S. mutans comCDE knockout strains were more sensitive to the anti-bacterial actions of CBG compared to the WT strain. Exogenously added 21-CSP prevented the anti-bacterial actions caused by CBG on the ΔcomC, ΔcomE and ΔluxS mutants, while having no effect on the susceptibility of the WT and ΔcomCDE strains to CBG. Exogenously added DPD increased the susceptibility of WT and ΔluxS to CBG. Vice versa, CBG significantly reduced the 21-CSP-induced expression of comCDE genes and ComE-regulated genes and suppressed the expression of luxS with concomitant reduction in AI-2 production. DPD induced the expression of comCDE genes and ComE-regulated genes, and this induction was repressed by CBG. 21-CSP alone had no significant effect on luxS gene expression, while ΔcomCDE strains showed reduced AI-2 production. In conclusion, our study shows that the susceptibility of S. mutans to CBG is affected by the ComCDE and LuxS QS pathways, and CBG is a potential anti-QS compound for S. mutans. Additionally, we provide evidence for crosstalk between the ComCDE and LuxS QS systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Its Derivatives)
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28 pages, 1797 KiB  
Review
Clinical Research Evidence Supporting Administration and Dosing Recommendations of Medicinal Cannabis as Analgesic in Cancer Patients
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(1), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12010307 - 30 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3359
Abstract
The analgesic potential of Cannabis sativa L.—based medicinal cannabis products for treatment of cancer associated chronic pains has gained increased interest in recent years. To ensure a controlled distribution of these products and investigate their therapeutic potential, several countries have established so-called pilot [...] Read more.
The analgesic potential of Cannabis sativa L.—based medicinal cannabis products for treatment of cancer associated chronic pains has gained increased interest in recent years. To ensure a controlled distribution of these products and investigate their therapeutic potential, several countries have established so-called pilot trials. Many doctors, however, are hesitant to prescribe medicinal cannabis primarily due to lack of research evidence regarding the products’ efficacy, safety and thus questionable dosing guidelines. This review aims to elucidate clinical research supporting administration of medicinal cannabis in cancer patients for analgesic purposes. The cannabinoids’ effects on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its implication in pain regulation is included to illustrate the complexity related to this research field. Published clinical studies on medicinal cannabis primarily consist of observational studies and only one pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), where more RCTs exist on the cannabis-based product, Sativex® (GW Pharma Ltd., Cambridge, UK). The studies indicate analgesic potential, however non-significantly, for most patients and with acceptable safety profile. Summarizing, high-quality RCTs are scarce in this research field, and the limitations of the observational studies complicates interpretation of clinical outcomes. Despite discrepancy among the studies, they do show indications for administration and dosing regimens providing analgesic effects for some cancer patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Its Derivatives)
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