Abstract
The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has been the topic of extensive investigation following the discovery of cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands. Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands are present at supraspinal, spinal and peripheral levels. Cannabinoids suppress behavioral responses to noxious stimulation and suppress nociceptive processing through activation of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor subtypes. Endocannabinoids, the brains own cannabis-like substances, share the same molecular target as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component in cannabis. Endocannabinoids serve as synaptic circuit breakers and regulate multiple physiological and pathological conditions, e.g. regulation of food intake, immunomodulation, inflammation, analgesia, cancer, addictive behavior, epilepsy and others. This review will focus on uncovering the roles of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, the two best characterized endocannabinoids identified to date, in controlling nociceptive responding. The roles of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, released under physiological conditions, in modulating nociceptive responding at different levels of the neuraxis will be emphasized in this review. Effects of modulation of endocannabinoid levels through inhibition of endocannabinoid hydrolysis and uptake is also compared with effects of exogenous administration of synthetic endocannabinoids in acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Finally, the therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid signaling system is discussed in the context of identifying novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of pain.
Keywords: Anandamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, fatty acid amide hydrolase, monoacylglycerol lipase, endocannabinoid transporter, analgesia, inflammatory, neuropathic pain
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: The Endocannabinoid System and Pain
Volume: 8 Issue: 6
Author(s): Josee Guindon and Andrea G. Hohmann
Affiliation:
Keywords: Anandamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, fatty acid amide hydrolase, monoacylglycerol lipase, endocannabinoid transporter, analgesia, inflammatory, neuropathic pain
Abstract: The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has been the topic of extensive investigation following the discovery of cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands. Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands are present at supraspinal, spinal and peripheral levels. Cannabinoids suppress behavioral responses to noxious stimulation and suppress nociceptive processing through activation of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor subtypes. Endocannabinoids, the brains own cannabis-like substances, share the same molecular target as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component in cannabis. Endocannabinoids serve as synaptic circuit breakers and regulate multiple physiological and pathological conditions, e.g. regulation of food intake, immunomodulation, inflammation, analgesia, cancer, addictive behavior, epilepsy and others. This review will focus on uncovering the roles of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, the two best characterized endocannabinoids identified to date, in controlling nociceptive responding. The roles of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, released under physiological conditions, in modulating nociceptive responding at different levels of the neuraxis will be emphasized in this review. Effects of modulation of endocannabinoid levels through inhibition of endocannabinoid hydrolysis and uptake is also compared with effects of exogenous administration of synthetic endocannabinoids in acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Finally, the therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid signaling system is discussed in the context of identifying novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of pain.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Guindon Josee and Hohmann G. Andrea, The Endocannabinoid System and Pain, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2009; 8 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152709789824660
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152709789824660 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Techniques of Drug Repurposing: Delivering a new life to Herbs & Drugs
Of late, with the adaptation of innovative approaches and integration of advancements made towards medical sciences as well as the availability of a wide range of tools; several therapeutic challenges are being translated into viable clinical solutions, with a high degree of efficacy, safety, and selectivity. With a better understanding ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Microglia and Neuropathic Pain
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Neural Stem Cell Niches in Health and Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Paradox of Caffeine-Zolpidem Interaction: A Network Analysis
Current Drug Targets The Patch Clamp Technique in Ion Channel Research
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Huntington’s Disease: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Opportunities
Current Drug Targets Nitric Oxide: Target for Therapeutic Strategies in Alzheimers Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Docking Study, Green Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of 1,3,4-thiadiazole Derivatives as Potential Antiepileptic Agents
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Gene Therapy for Brain Cancer: Combination Therapies Provide Enhanced Efficacy and Safety
Current Gene Therapy Editorial (Thematic Selection: Special Issue on Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors)
Current Neuropharmacology Aluminum Vaccine Adjuvants: Are they Safe?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Superior Neuroprotective Effects of Cerebrolysin in Nanoparticle-Induced Exacerbation of Hyperthermia-Induced Brain Pathology
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Neuroimaging of Gut Nutrient Perception
Current Pharmaceutical Design Experimental Models for the Discovery of Novel Anticonvulsant Drugs: Focus on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures and Associated Memory Deficits
Current Pharmaceutical Design High-Level Expression and Purification of an Analgesic Peptide from Buthus martensii Karch
Protein & Peptide Letters Stress-Induced Oxidative Changes in Brain
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Port-a-Patch and Patchliner: High Fidelity Electrophysiology for Secondary Screening and Safety Pharmacology
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Parkinson Disease Genetics: A "Continuum" from Mendelian to Multifactorial Inheritance
Current Molecular Medicine Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New 4-Thiazolidinone Derivatives as Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Letters in Organic Chemistry Curcumin as an Adjuvant to Breast Cancer Treatment
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Nerolidol and its Pharmacological Application in Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review
Recent Patents on Biotechnology