May 16, 2024

The Healing Power of Cannabis – Scientists Shed New Light on Its Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The scientists studied how different cannabinoids, including the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which are already found in easily available items today, act on human immune cells. The focus ought to be on CBD, which was the most reliable cannabinoid in the research study. Previously authorized preparations with cannabinoids contain CBD, “but also the psychedelic THC, which can be associated with a variety of side impacts,” notes Dr. Jordan. Therapeutics including just CBD would reduce this problem.

The team from the Institute of Pharmacy examined how particular ingredients from the cannabis plant combat inflammation. It was currently understood from previous research studies that cannabis is not only an analgesic and an antispasmodic but likewise has an anti-inflammatory result.
” However, the factor for the anti-inflammatory effect was mostly unclear until now,” states Dr. Paul Mike Jordan, who led the research study together with Prof. Oliver Werz.
Dr. Paul Mike Jordan (l.) examines the actions of cannabinoids in humans with Lukas K. Peltner (r.). Credit: Anna König
The scientists studied how various cannabinoids, consisting of the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which are currently found in freely offered items today, act upon human immune cells. “We found that all eight cannabinoids we studied had anti-inflammatory results,” says Lukas Peltner, doctoral trainee and very first author of the study. “All the substances we studied were discovered to prevent the formation of pro-inflammatory messenger substances in cells while boosting the development of inflammation-resolving substances.”
CBD causes a switch in immune cells
CBD in specific shown to be highly efficient and the group investigated it in more detail with regard to its mode of action. The researchers were able to figure out that CBD activates the 15-lipoxygenase-1 enzyme, which sets off the production of inflammation-resolving messenger substances that subsequently cause the inflammation to subside.
” CBD hence induces a switch in the afflicted cells, so to speak, which steers the inflammatory procedure from the promoting to the inhibiting side,” explains Dr. Jordan. The researchers were also able to validate these results, which were gotten in cell cultures, in animal experiments on mice.
In the long term, the insights gained could lead to new therapeutic techniques for dealing with inflammatory illness, the scientists conclude. The focus ought to be on CBD, which was the most effective cannabinoid in the research study. Formerly approved preparations with cannabinoids consist of CBD, “but likewise the psychoactive THC, which can be connected with a variety of adverse effects,” keeps in mind Dr. Jordan. Rehabs containing only CBD would lower this issue.
Reference: “Cannabidiol acts as molecular switch in innate immune cells to promote the biosynthesis of inflammation-resolving lipid mediators” by Lukas K. Peltner, Lars Gluthmann, Friedemann Börner, Simona Pace, Robert K. Hoffstetter, Christian Kretzer, Rosella Bilancia, Federica Pollastro, Andreas Koeberle, Giovanni Appendino, Antonietta Rossi, Marcia E. Newcomer, Nathaniel C. Gilbert, Oliver Werz, and Paul M. Jordan, 29 August 2023, Cell Chemical Biology.DOI: 10.1016/ j.chembiol.2023.08.001.
The research work has been performed within the Collaborative Research Centres “PolyTarget” and “ChemBioSys” of the University of Jena, Germany and has been moneyed by the German Research Foundation.

Researchers from the Institute of Pharmacy in Jena studied the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids, especially concentrating on CBD (cannabidiol). They found that CBD activates an enzyme leading to swelling resolution and think these findings might lead to new treatments for inflammatory illness.
A global research study team has actually clarified the mode of action of cannabinoids in inflammation.
The German federal government just recently made the contentious choice to legalize the ownership and purchase of minor quantities of cannabis.
Must the German legislature approve the draft expense, the “Cannabis Act” is set to be executed the following year. Numerous think this action is long-awaited, while others persistently warn about the health dangers associated with marijuana consumption.
The Jena researchers and their coworkers are now taking a various appearance at cannabis– the conventional medicinal plant– with a study published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology.