The cannabinergic system as a target for anti-inflammatory therapies

• Published in: Current topics in medicinal chemistry Vol. 6; no. 13; p. 1401
• Main Authors: Lu, Dai, Vemuri, V Kiran, Duclos, Jr, Richard I, Makriyannis, Alexandros
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Arab Emirates 01.07.2006
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators - immunology; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators - metabolism; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators - physiology; Drug Design; Humans; Ligands; Molecular Structure; Receptors, Cannabinoid - immunology; Receptors, Cannabinoid - metabolism; Receptors, Cannabinoid - physiology; Structure-Activity Relationship
• ISSN: 1568-0266
• DOI: 10.2174/15680266106061401

Habitual cannabis use has been shown to affect the human immune system, and recent advances in endocannabinoid research provide a basis for understanding these immunomodulatory effects. Cell-based experiments or in vivo animal testing suggest that regulation of the endocannabinoid circuitry can impact almost every major function associated with the immune system. These studies were assisted by the development of numerous novel molecules that exert their biological effects through the endocannabinoid system. Several of these compounds were tested for their effects on immune function, and the results suggest therapeutic opportunities for a variety of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, allergic asthma, and autoimmune diabetes through modulation of the endocannabinoid system.