HIGHLIGHTS
The cannabinoid system regulates a variety of cellular and physiological processes, and is thus related to regulatory processes including inflammation, metabolism regulation, energetic balance, thermogenesis, neural development, immune function, cardiovascular function, synaptic plasticity and learning, pain, memory, movement, psychomotor behavior, sleep/wake cycles, stress and emotion regulation, and digestion.
The main anti-inflammatory mechanisms produced by cannabinoids are induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, suppression of cytokine production, and induction of T-regulatory cells.
Increased levels of anandamide decrease inflammatory responses, suggesting that endocan-nabinoids are physiologically involved in the attenuation of the immune system. However, there are still poorly understood and sometimes contradictory effects.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The use of cannabinoids for epileptic syndrome and control of side effects associated with chemotherapy is already widespread and supported by several well-controlled clinical trials. However, the use of these drugs in inflammatory pathologies is sometimes underestimated due to lack of scientific knowledge with a high degree of evidence, non-recognition of the endocannabinoid system as an active participant in these diseases, as well as fear of the stereotype surrounding the use of cannabis derivatives. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids on various physiological systems in which these ligands interact.
CONTENTS:
Studies cited in this review were obtained by searching Pubmed, Medline, Google Scholar, Scielo, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), LILACS, and through the authors’ familiarity with the published literature in this area of interest. Clinical, observational and intervention, experimental, qualitative studies and review articles were all included in the search. Articles were identified using the following descriptors: cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol and endocannabinoids and anti-inflammatory inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, a manual revision of relevant references was also performed to capture articles that may not have been picked up through the initial search. The literature investigation was conducted from March 22 to May 2022.
CONCLUSION:
Cannabinoids show to be a promising therapeutic option in the context of inflammatory diseases, given the complete and complex relationship between the endocannabinoid system and the immune system. The setback to be overcome in the use of cannabinoids as anti-inflammatory drugs includes the synthesis of non-psychoactive cannabinoid receptor agonists while maintaining potent anti-inflammatory activity. Further studies are needed to increase our understanding of cannabinoids and their intricate effects on immune system disorders.
Keywords:
Anti-inflammatory agents; Cannabinoids; Inflammation; Pain
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