Several lines of evidence show that endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids modulate pain transmission at the spinal level through specific cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors. Since anatomical data concerning spinal CB1 receptors are rather contradictory, we studied the cellular and subcellular localizations of the CB1 receptors by immunocytochemistry. Results show a dual pre- and postsynaptic localiz...

The plant Cannabis has been known for centuries to be beneficial in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, including emesis, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal pain. delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychotropic component of Cannabis, acts via at least two types of cannabinoid receptors, named CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are located primarily on central and perip...

GPR18, GPR55 and GPR119 (provisional nomenclature), although showing little structural similarity to CB1 CB2 cannabinoid receptors, respond endogenous agents analogous the ligands, as well some natural/synthetic receptor ligands [104]. Although there are multiple reports indicate that can be activated in vitro by N-arachidonoylglycine, lysophosphatidylinositol N-oleoylethanolamide, respectively...

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor, the main molecular target of endocannabinoids and cannabis active components, is the most abundant G protein-coupled receptor in the mammalian brain. Of note, CB1 receptors are expressed at the synapses of two opposing (i.e., GABAergic/inhibitory and glutamatergic/excitatory) neuronal populations, so the activation of one and/or another receptor population may conc...

Neuroinflammation is a complex biological process that typically originates as protective response in the brain. This inflammatory triggered by release of pro-inflammatory substances like cytokines, prostaglandins, and reactive oxygen nitrogen species from stimulated endothelial glial cells, including those with functions, outer regions. While neuronal inflammation common various central nervou...

The dietary polyphenols trans-resveratrol [5-[(1E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]-1,3-benzenediol; found in red wine] and curcumin [1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1E,6E-heptadiene-3,5-dione] (found in curry powders) exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects via poorly defined mechanisms. It is interesting that cannabinoids, derived from the marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa), produce simi...

CB1-type cannabinoid receptors in the brain mediate effects of the drug cannabis. Anandamide and sn-2 arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) are putative endogenous ligands for CB1 receptors, but it is not known which cells in the brain produce these molecules. Recently, an enzyme which catalyses hydrolysis of anandamide and 2-AG, known as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), was identified in mammals. Here ...

The involvement of endocannabinoid receptors in the antinociceptive activity Lonchocarpus araripensis lectin (LAL) was investigated model carragenan-induced hypernociception. Swiss mice received LAL (10 mg/kg) by intravenous (i.v.) route 30 min before subcutaneous (s.c.) injection carrageenan paws. Animals were treated with antagonists CB1 (AM251) or CB2 (AM630) cannabinoid lectin. inhibited hy...

Administration of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine is commonly used to induce seizures in rodents for the study of epilepsy. Activation of muscarinic receptors has been previously shown to increase the production of endocannabinoids in the brain. Endocannabinoids act at the cannabinoid CB1 receptors to reduce neurotransmitter release and the severity of seizures in several models of epilepsy....