Title

 

Authors

 B. Romano, G. Aviello, F. Borrelli, I. Fasolino, R. Capasso, A. A. Izzo.
 
Dept. of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

 

Abstract

 Background and purposeThe plant Cannabis sativa produces over 421 chemical compounds, including about 80 terpeno-phenol compounds named phytocannabinoids. Most attention has been paid to Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC, the main psychotropic ingredient) and to cannabidiol (CBD, the main non-psychotropic ingredient) (Izzo et al., 2009). In this study we have investigated the effect of some non-psychotropic cannabinoids, namely cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabigerol (CBG) and Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) on nitrite levels (the stable metabolites of NO) in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Experimental approach Nitrite levels were measured using a fluorescent assay; macrophages viability was evaluated by the neutral red assays; mouse peritoneal macrophages were obtained following IP administration of thioglycollate and thereafter were activated by LPS (1 µg/ml). Key results CBC, CBDV, CBG and THCV (0.001-1 µM) have not significant cytotoxic effect in macrophages after 18-hours exposure. However, these phytocannabinoids significantly reduced nitrite production in macrophages stimulated by LPS. Conclusions and implications CBC, CBDV, CBG, THCV inhibit LPS-stimulated nitrite production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. These results might help to explain the antinflammatory/immunomodulant effects of Cannabis preparations.

Izzo AA et al (2009). Trends Pharmacol Sci. 30:515-27.