Disease relevance of Cannabis

• The estrogen-like activity of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), an active component of marihuana, as measured by uterine weight gain and vaginal smear techniques in ovariectomized rats, is reflected in histological examination of uterine and vaginal tissues [1].
• Neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component from Cannabis sativa, on beta-amyloid-induced toxicity in PC12 cells [2].
• The four homoeopathic drugs, Gelsemium, Cannabis Indica, Graphites and Agaricus Muscarius, administered orally in 30th and 200th potencies on white rats, enhanced restraint-induced catalepsy in a similar manner to the two standard drugs pilocarpine and haloperidol (IP injection at 5 mg/kg) [3].
• Ocular hypotension, ocular toxicity, and neurotoxicity in response to marihuana extract and cannabidiol [4].
• In mice, chronic administration of crude marihuana extract (CME), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) (50 mg kg-1 body weight for 15 and 35 days) impaired spermatogenesis at both mitotic and meiotic stages [5].

Psychiatry related information on Cannabis

• Interaction between marihuana and ethanol: effects on psychomotor performance [6].
• These effects have implications for the safety and efficacy of marihuana smokers who are self-medicating with the nicotine transdermal patch to manage their tobacco dependence [7].

High impact information on Cannabis

• Review of Marihuana and Medicine [8].
• Letter: Normal plasma testosterone concentrations after marihuana smoking [9].
• Cannabinoid receptors, named CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor, first discovered as the molecular targets of the psychotropic component of the plant Cannabis sativa, participate in the physiological modulation of many central and peripheral functions [10].
• Marihuana and epilepsy [11].
• Marihuana smoking, in conjunction with therapeutic doses of phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin, was apparently necessary for controlling seizures in one 24-year-old epileptic patient [12].

Chemical compound and disease context of Cannabis

• As cannabigerol lacked these toxicities, it appears that the ocular hypotensive effect of this cannabinoid is somewhat dissociable from both the adverse central and ocular effects accompanying marihuana intake [13].
• Despite marked contrasts in potency, toxicity and therapeutic potential as a result of these differences it is proposed that the proper pharmacologic classification of both drugs is in the sedative group based on their activity at non-toxic levels rather than regarding marihuana as a primary hallucinogen as presently done in many texts [14].

Biological context of Cannabis

• However, plasma prolactin levels were significantly lower at 60 to 120 min (P less than .01) and 150 to 180 min (P less than .05) after marihuana smoking during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle [15].
• This is a report of the results of a placebo-controlled study in which the effects of the interaction between ethanol and marihuana on drug plasma concentrations, subjective ratings of intoxication, heart rate acceleration, and psychomotor performance were investigated [6].
• Maternal exposure to delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component in marihuana, or to the non-psychoactive cannabinol (CBN) or cannabidiol (CBD) alters male reproductive functions and brain biogenic amines in male and female offspring [16].
• In previous study the major psychoactive ingredient of marihuana (delta 1-THC) has been shown to inhibit ovarian prostaglandin synthesis when administered to normally cycling rats in the early afternoon of proestrus [17].
• Cannabidiol CBD, a non-psychoactive constituent of marihuana, has been reported to possess essentially no affinity for cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding sites in the brain [18].

Anatomical context of Cannabis

• Pure marihuana in the gastrointestinal tract has not been reported to cause death by intoxication; however, it may be mixed with more potent substances, especially cocaine [19].
• The effect of acute (1 day) or subchronic (25 days) treatment with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive constituent of marihuana, on plasma norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), corticosterone, beta-endorphin (beta-end), and splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity of the rat was studied [20].
• delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive constituent in marihuana, has been studied extensively for the last 20 years; however, the mechanisms responsible for cannabinoid activity in the central nervous system are not well understood [21].
• Delta-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, was found to increase glucagon activation of liver plasma membrane adenylate cyclase [22].
• Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol from Cannabis sativa is mimicked by cannabimimetic analogs such as CP55940 and WIN55212-2, and antagonized by rimonabant and SR144528, through G-protein-coupled receptors, CB1 in the brain, and CB2 in the immune system [23].

Associations of Cannabis with chemical compounds

• Two quantifiable self-report measurements, the linear euphoriant scale and the card-sort version of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (marihuana and hallucinogen scales), were the major reporting criteria [24].
• Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine; AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the main endogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors able to mimic several pharmacological effects of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active principle of Cannabis sativa preparations like hashish and marijuana [25].
• We identified a unique enzyme that catalyzes the oxidocyclization of cannabigerolic acid to cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in Cannabis sativa L [26].
• Purification and characterization of cannabidiolic-acid synthase from Cannabis sativa L.. Biochemical analysis of a novel enzyme that catalyzes the oxidocyclization of cannabigerolic acid to cannabidiolic acid [26].
• Experiments investigating the possible interaction of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two major components of marihuana, were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions in a double-blind manner [27].

Gene context of Cannabis

• The basal and stimulated levels of LH were reduced in marihuana users, whereas FSH and PRL levels and responses were not different from the control subjects [28].
• Synthetic cannabinoids, the psychoactive components of the Cannabis sativa (marijuana) plant and their endogenous counterparts, act through two G protein-coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2 [29].
• Ten male chronic marihuana users and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were studied by measuring hormone levels before and after i.v. administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) [28].
• Synthetic cannabinoids, the psychoactive components of the Cannabis sativa (marijuana) and their endogenous counterparts, act through two G protein-coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2 [30].
• Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) and (-)-cannabidiol are major constituents of the Cannabis sativa plant with different pharmacological profiles: (-)-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, but not (-)-cannabidiol, activates cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors and induces psychoactive and peripheral effects [31].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Cannabis

• delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) was administered in a crossover design by smoking and IV injection to groups of heavy and light users of marihuana [32].
• Ethanol increases plasma Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels and subjective effects after marihuana smoking in human volunteers [33].

References