Non-psychotropic plant cannabinoids: New Therapeutic Opportunities from, Medical Marijuana / Cannabis, an Ancient Herb

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
Volume 30, Issue 10, October 2009, Pages 515-527

doi:10.1016/j.tips.2009.07.006 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Angelo A. Izzo¹^,⁴^,, Francesca Borrelli¹^,⁴, Raffaele Capasso¹^,⁴, Vincenzo Di Marzo²^,⁴ and Raphael Mechoulam³

¹Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

²Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy

³Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Hebrew University Medical Faculty, Jerusalem, Israel

⁴Endocannabinoid Research Group, Italy

Available online 2 September 2009. PDF (148 K)

Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol binds cannabinoid (CB₁ and CB₂) receptors, which are activated by endogenous compounds (endocannabinoids) and are involved in a wide range of physiopathological processes (e.g. modulation of neurotransmitter release, regulation of pain perception, and of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and liver functions). The well-known psychotropic effects of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, which are mediated by activation of brain CB₁ receptors, have greatly limited its clinical use. However, the plant Cannabis contains many cannabinoids with weak or no psychoactivity that, therapeutically, might be more promising than Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol. Here, we provide an overview of the recent pharmacological advances, novel mechanisms of action, and potential therapeutic applications of such non-psychotropic plant-derived cannabinoids. Special emphasis is given to cannabidiol, the possible applications of which have recently emerged in inflammation, diabetes, cancer, affective and neurodegenerative diseases, and to Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin, a novel CB₁ antagonist which exerts potentially useful actions in the treatment of epilepsy and obesity.

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