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"Screening of analgesic activity of industrial hemp isolates. Focusing on cannabidiol and cannabidiol acid"
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-addictive ingredient of cannabis, which is synthesized through the decarboxylation of its precursor acid, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). An amount of studies report that these two substances have a wide range of pharmacological properties, among them their analgesic effect, especially on neuropathic pain. However, few experimental studies have investigated the analgesic effect of low doses of CBD and CBDA. In the present study, the analgesic and motoric effects of both CBD (1, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg) and CBDA (0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10 mg/kg) were investigated using the Open Field apparatus and the Hot Plate test. The analgesic properties of CBD were also studied in a rat model of neuropathic pain using the von Frey test. Present results showed that only the highest dose of CBD (30mg/kg) causes a decrease in spontaneous motor activity. Acute administration of CBD induced an analgesic effect at the dose of 1 mg/kg (i.p.), one hour following its administration. Additionally, chronic administration of CBD (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.p.) induced analgesic effect, using the Hot Plate test. On the other hand, acute CBD administration did not affect the analgesic action of codeine while it did not induce a statistically significant effect on neuropathic pain as deduced using the von Frey test. Finally, analgesic effect was also appeared following acute CBDA administration and this effect was prominent at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg (i.p.), using the Hot Plate test. The results of the present study show that the acute administration of CBD and CBDA induce analgesic effects at low doses. Moreover, analgesic effect was also observed following the chronic
administration of CBD. These findings confirm and extend information on phytocannabinoids-induced analgesia and contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of pain.
ASPROGERAKAS Michalis
"Investigating the Antidepressant Action of Cannabidiol"
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic component of Cannabis sativa plant, has shown therapeutic potential in neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. CBD’s antidepressant action is not sufficiently understood, while the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In parallel, current antidepressant drugs are linked with undesirable effects, and the fast-acting antidepressants maintain considerable limitations in their use.
This study focuses on the further characterization of CBD’s antidepressant properties, while aiming to provide novel strategies for the exploitation CBD’s unique features regarding its complex pharmacodynamic features, and its safe side-effects profile. To this end CBD’s antidepressant effects, its potential synergy with a serotonin, a classical selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and ketamine, the only approved fast-acting antidepressant, were studied using the forced swim test in rats. CBD displayed antidepressant effect in 10-fold lower doses as compared with the previously described ones. Additionally, CBD demonstrated a synergistic effect with fluoxetine, but failed to do the same with ketamine. Moreover, CBD’s anxiolytic potential was confirmed in the same dosage scale, using center entries in the open field test and the elevated plus maze test.
In conclusion, our findings support that CBD displays antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, including the fast-acting antidepressant action. More specifically, this study indicates that CBD could be used as a potential medication for mood/affective disorders, and provides insights concerning CBD’s complex pharmacological properties. However, CBD’s beneficial dose range remains to be fully dissected, while the neurobiological underpinnings of its actions need to be addressed.
BRAKATSELOS Charis
"COVID-19 and association with sperm functional parameters"
Abstract
ARCHIMANDRITI Dimitra
"The use of natural products as regulators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligands (PPARs-peroxisome prolifarator-activated receptors) and their effect on metabolic syndrome"
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is an important matter for the public health, it is the name of a group of risk factors which elevate the possibility for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes whilst it is mentioned as disorder of biochemical processes involved in energy use and storage by the organism. The two basic approaches for the regulation of the metabolic syndrome is the amelioration of life style (reduce of daily calorie intake combined with increase in daily physical activities), and the other approach is pharmacological intervention. This particular matter is a result of bibliographical research of modulators which affect the peroxisome-proliferate-activated- receptor (PPAR), with final target the improvement of the effects of the metabolic syndrome.
PPAR receptors are involved in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis a fact that makes them an interesting pharmacological target. PPARs induce or suppress the transcription of a great number of different genes related to the regulation of glucose, lipid and cholesterol metabolism (possible therapy for diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and hypertension, which are basic factors for the metabolic syndrome). In particular, emphasis is given in the natural modulators of the PPARs. Natural products appear to have a wide variety of chemical compounds and from an evolutional aspect they are improved in order to execute diverse biological roles, this fact makes them an excellent field for the discovery of new drugs. The traditional use of herbal preparations might indicate the correlation between pharmacological effect and useful compound. Research has been made for the discovery of potent natural products which were used in traditional medicinal drugs and from the daily diet.
This approach is very appealing thanks to the fact that the activation of PPAR receptor can be accompliced through the daily diet or with simple dietary supplements whilst some of the activators are spices and herbs used in culinary activities or as decoctions.
SKOUMIDA Argiro
"Use of stem cells in the treatment of heart failure"
Abstract
Nearly 26 million people worldwide are diagnosed with Heart Failure. More specifically 1-2% of Europeans are suffering from Heart Failure. The recommended therapy for these patients is
either consisted of drugs, e.g.: diuretics, or of some sort of implant, eg.: Bypass. These therapeutic approaches, however, are mainly aimed at improving their lifestyle and alleviating secondary symptoms of Heart Failure. As a result, there is an increasing need to find new treatment protocols, which will target the source of the problem or even prevent heart failure. According to many researchers, stem cells are the answer. In particular, many clinical trials are conducted to determine which type of stem cells is the most suitable to be used, as well as how stem cells should be delivered.
VELIA Ekaterini