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Researchers investigating the role of cannabinoids - chemical substances
contained within cannabis - in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS),
have found they could significantly enhance therapy, not only by reducing
nerve damage and erratic nerve impulses, but perhaps even by hindering
development of the condition.
The findings, published online today (1 April, 2007) in Nature Medicine
demonstrates for the first time how cannabis might actually slow down the
progression of MS and could have major implications for the estimated 2.5
million sufferers worldwide.
Using a mouse model, a team of UK, European, Japanese and US scientists, led
by David Baker, Professor of Neuroimmunology at Queen Mary, University of
London, found that doses of the active component within cannabis,
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could significantly inhibit the development and
severity of MS.
Cannabis works because it stimulates molecules known as cannabinoid
receptors within the body. The group had previously reported that THC could
alleviate disease symptoms, and also save nerves from the damaging effects
of the disease - thus potentially, via the cannabinoid receptor CB1, slowing
down the development of progressive disability. They had not previously
examined the influence of cannabinoids on immune aspects of the disease.
Now their most recent study has successfully separated the roles of
cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 on neurons and T cells, and investigated
their effect in controlling central nervous system autoimmunity. It showed
that CB1 receptor expression by nerves in the brain, but not T cells, could
suppress the development of an experimental MS-like disease, by stimulating
the release of anti-inflammatory molecules, whilst in contrast direct
stimulation of CB2 receptors by T cells was also able to control
inflammation associated with the condition. This suggests that cannabis-like
drugs may have the potential to block the autoimmune response which drives
disease development.
Professor David Baker said: "Whilst targeting CB1 receptors for therapy
runs
the risk of causing the unwanted "high" to achieve these effects,
we can get
the same result by targeting CB2 receptors, which avoids these risks.
Therefore, we can start to think about using new drugs that harness the
potential medical benefits that cannabis has to offer but move away from the
issues over the legality and recreational use of the plant product".
Abstract of the study is available online here: http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nm1561.html
http://www.physorg.com/news94743932.html |
