Cannabinoids: A Group of Promising Neuroprotective Agents. Clinical Aspects and Mode of Action

CALTANA L; BRUSCO ALICIA

Neuroprotective Natural Products

Wiley - VCH

Lugar: Weinheim; Año: 2017; p. 321 - 340

The endocannabinoid system participates in the regulation of neuronal function, neurogenesis, inflammation, and synaptic plasticity. The endocannabinoid system consists of endocannabinoids and their endogenous ligands and receptors and involves the synthesis and degradation of specific enzyme systems. Endocannabinoids are synthesized on demand from phospholipids of the plasma membrane, while exogenous cannabinoids include phytocannabinoids (natural derivatives of Cannabis sativa) and synthetic cannabinoids.Cannabinoids receptors type 1 are highly expressed in several brain regions (cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, amygdala, and limbic system), and cannabinoid receptors type 2 are expressed in the cells of the immune system and also in the brain, including the olfactory tubercle, cerebral cortex, striatum, thalamic nuclei, and hippocampus, among others. Several experimental and clinical reports demonstrated that cannabinoid system, due to its regulatory effect on the nervous system, has potential perspective for therapeutic actions in the treatment of neuropathologies including cancer,ischemia, Parkinson?s disease, Alzheimer?s disease, glaucoma, pain, and multiple sclerosis.