Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Glaucoma
and CB2 receptors, platelet function, arterial
pressure and heart rate suggest that pharma-
cological targeting of the endocannabinoid sys-
tem may be of some therapeutic value in the
treatment of atherosclerosis (Mach
et al
.,
2008). The development of synthetic cannabi-
noids that do not cross the blood brain barrier,
and do not therefore act on the central nervous
system, may lead to their use in cardiology
(Ribuot
et al
., 2005; Mendizabal and Adler-
Graschinsky, 2007).
Proposed by advocates of the therapeutic use
of cannabis since the early 1970s (BMA,
1997), the value of this plant and of synthetic
cannabinoids in ophthalmology remains very
limited (Watson
et al
., 2000). Only THC and
11-hydroxy-THC appear capable of lowering
intraocular pressure (BMA, 1997). At present,
there is no evidence to support an indication
for cannabis use in the treatment of this ocular
disorder.
By contrast, the neuroprotective action of
cannabinoids, together with their pharmaco-
logical action, makes them good candidates
for the treatment of retinal pathologies
(Yazulla, 2008).
Gut motility problems
A small number of studies suggest that cannabi-
noids may have beneficial effects on various gut
motility problems, including functional colopa-
thies, diarrhoeas, etc. (Aviello
et al
., 2008).
Asthma
Hepatic fibrosis
THC is a powerful bronchodilator and does not
produce its action by the same mechanisms
used by other commercially available anti-
asthmatic drugs (BMA, 1997). That said, despite
the many asthmatic patients claiming that can-
nabis consumption has a favourable effect on
their asthma (using vaporizers), few studies have
been published to support this (BMA, 1997).
Preliminary observations suggest that modula-
tion of the endocannabinoid system may prove
to be a suitable target for drug therapy in the
treatment of hepatic fibrosis (Teixeira-Clerc
et al
., 2008).
Cancerology
Certain publications outline the value of can-
nabinoid treatments in cancerology (e.g.
Sarfaraz
et al
., 2005; Widmer
et al
., 2008).
Inflammatory syndromes
Cannabinoids exert protective effects vis-à-vis
cellular inflammation, particularly within the
central nervous system (Correa
et al
., 2005;
Klein, 2005). CBD modulates the balance
between pro- and anti- inflammatory prosta-
glandins and can exert an anti-inflammatory
effect (Sacerdote
et al
., 2005). These potential
benefits warrant further study, even though the
therapeutic arsenal in this area is extensive.
Cannabis dependency
Synthetic cannabinoids exerting an action
antagonistic to that of THC or cannabinoids
permitting a therapeutic substitution may be
used to treat cannabis dependency (Clapper
et al
., 2009).
Cardiology
15.8 The Legal Situation:
Where Confusion Reigns
The cannabinoid system plays an important
role in the development of atherosclerosis and
its clinical signs. Low doses of THC (1 mg/kg/
day - lower to those inhaled by a cannabis
user) can reduce the progression of atheroscle-
rosis in mice. It is proposed that this is medi-
ated by an anti-inflammatory action arising
from interaction with CB2 receptors at the
time of plaque formation. The complex and
often contradictory interactions between CB1
The status of cannabis and its direct deriva-
tives, as well as the status of synthetic cannabi-
noids, remains both confusing and unequal:
certain national governments have chosen to
prohibit clinical trials of cannabis and the
therapeutic use of synthetic cannabinoids.
Other national governments facilitate, or hope
