Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol

Summary & key facts

This paper reviewed what scientists know about cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive compound from the cannabis plant. The authors looked at lab studies, animal studies, and some human work that show CBD can reduce inflammation and lower harmful reactive molecules that damage cells — a process called oxidative stress. The review points out specific ways CBD may protect tissues, gives examples from diabetes and heart studies in animals, and says many findings look promising but depend on dose and on more research in people.

Key facts:

• CBD is not the part of cannabis that makes people feel high. Researchers describe it as non-psychoactive.
• Lab and animal studies show CBD can reduce inflammation and reduce harmful reactive oxygen and nitrogen molecules that damage cells. This is called an antioxidant effect.
• CBD can change how cells handle stress by boosting protective systems. For example, it can increase activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione-related enzymes.
• In animal models of diabetes, CBD helped blood vessels relax, sped up wound healing, and protected retinal nerve cells from damage linked to oxidative stress.
• CBD can act directly by neutralizing free radicals and by binding metal ions that make damaging radicals, and indirectly by turning on a cell switch called Nrf2 that raises production of many protective proteins.
• The authors note CBD has a generally good safety profile in clinical trials, but its benefits depend on dose and many therapeutic ideas still need stronger proof in human studies.

Abstract

L. CBD is non-psychoactive but exerts a number of beneficial pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The chemistry and pharmacology of CBD, as well as various molecular targets, including cannabinoid receptors and other components of the endocannabinoid system with which it interacts, have been extensively studied. In addition, preclinical and clinical studies have contributed to our understanding of the therapeutic potential of CBD for many diseases, including diseases associated with oxidative stress. Here, we review the main biological effects of CBD, and its synthetic derivatives, focusing on the cellular, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Diet, Metabolism, and Disease GABA and Rice Research

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Agonist Antioxidant Biochemistry Biology Botany Cannabidiol Cannabinoid Cannabinoid receptor Cannabis Cannabis sativa Chemistry Endocannabinoid system Medicine Oxidative stress Pharmacology Psychiatry Receptor

Substances

Cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Chronic Pain Depression