The therapeutic use of Cannabis dates back to ancient times and this plant has been used for centuries as remedy for a large number of diseases. Today it is well known that biological activity of Cannabis is related to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex signaling network that comprises classical cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), arachidonic acid-derived ligands, and enzymes degrading the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, namely fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase. The modulation of the ECS activity turned out to be a therapeutic promise in a wide range of diseases. A problem to the development of Cannabis and cannabinoid medications is the psychoactive property of natural or synthetic agonists, mediated by CB1 receptor. This review deals with the literature analysis of the important biological activities of Cannabis and the efforts aimed to the discovery of natural and nonnatural selective cannabinoids.
Cannabis and Bioactive Cannabinoids
ROSATI, Ornelio;CURINI, Massimo;MARCOTULLIO, Maria Carla
2015
Abstract
The therapeutic use of Cannabis dates back to ancient times and this plant has been used for centuries as remedy for a large number of diseases. Today it is well known that biological activity of Cannabis is related to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex signaling network that comprises classical cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), arachidonic acid-derived ligands, and enzymes degrading the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, namely fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase. The modulation of the ECS activity turned out to be a therapeutic promise in a wide range of diseases. A problem to the development of Cannabis and cannabinoid medications is the psychoactive property of natural or synthetic agonists, mediated by CB1 receptor. This review deals with the literature analysis of the important biological activities of Cannabis and the efforts aimed to the discovery of natural and nonnatural selective cannabinoids.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
