Disease-Dependent Antiapoptotic Effects of Cannabidiol for Keratinocytes Observed upon UV Irradiation

Full-spectrum cannabidiol reduces UVB damage through the inhibition of TGF-β1 and the NLRP3 inflammasome

The thermodynamic characteristics, antioxidant potential, and photoprotective benefits of full-spectrum cannabidiol (FS-CBD) against UVB-induced cellular death were examined in this study. In silico analysis of CBD showed antioxidant capacity via proton donation and UV absorption at 209.09, 254.73, and 276.95 nm, according to the HAT and SPLET methodologies. FS-CBD protected against UVB-induced bacterial death for 30 min. FS-CBD protected against UVB-induced cell death by 42% (1.5 μg/mL) and 35% (3.5 μg/mL) in an in vitro keratinocyte cell model. An in vivo acute irradiated CD-1et/et mouse model (UVB-irradiated for 5 min) presented very low photoprotection when FS-CBD was applied cutaneously, as determined by histological analyses. In vivo skin samples showed that FS-CBD regulated inflammatory responses by inhibiting the inflammatory markers TGF-β1 and NLRP3. The docking analysis showed that the CBD molecule had a high affinity for TGF-β1 and NLRP3, indicating that protection against inflammation might be mediated by blocking these proinflammatory molecules. This result was corroborated by the docking interactions between CBD and TGF-β1 and NLRP3, which resulted in a high affinity and inhibition of both proteins The present work suggested a FS-CBD moderate photoprotective agent against UVB light-induced skin damage and that this effect is partially mediated by its anti-inflammatory activity.

Cannabidiol mitigates radiation-induced intestine ferroptosis via facilitating the heterodimerization of RUNX3 with CBFβ thereby promoting transactivation of GPX4

Radiation enteritis remains a major challenge for radiotherapy against abdominal and pelvic malignancies. Nevertheless, there is no approved effective therapy to alleviate irradiation (IR)-induced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. In the current study, Cannabidiol (CBD) was found to mitigate intestinal injury by GPX4-mediated ferroptosis resistance upon IR exposure. RNA-sequencing was employed to investigate the underlying mechanism involved in the radio-protective effect of CBD, wherein runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) and its target genes were changed significantly. Further experiment showed that the transactivation of GPX4 triggered by the direct binding of RUNX3 to its promoter region, or by stimulating the transcriptional activity of NF-κB via RUNX3-mediated LILRB3 upregulation was critical for the anti-ferroptotic effect of CBD upon IR injury. Specially, CBD was demonstrated to be a molecular glue skeleton facilitating the heterodimerization of RUNX3 with its transcriptional chaperone core-biding factor β (CBFβ) thereby promoting their nuclear localization and the subsequent transactivation of GPX4 and LILRB3. In short, our study provides an alternative strategy to counteract IR-induced enteritis during the radiotherapy on abdominal/pelvic neoplasms.

A narrative review of the therapeutic and remedial prospects of cannabidiol with emphasis on neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders

BACKGROUND

The treatment of diverse diseases using plant-derived products is actively encouraged. In the past few years, cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as a potent cannabis-derived drug capable of managing various debilitating neurological infections, diseases, and their associated complications. CBD has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and curative effects in neuropathological conditions, and it exhibits therapeutic, apoptotic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties. However, more information on the reactions and ability of CBD to alleviate brain-related disorders and the neuroinflammation that accompanies them is needed.

MAIN BODY

This narrative review deliberates on the therapeutic and remedial prospects of CBD with an emphasis on neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. An extensive literature search followed several scoping searches on available online databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus with the main keywords: CBD, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cannabinoids. After a purposive screening of the retrieved papers, 170 (41%) of the articles (published in English) aligned with the objective of this study and retained for inclusion.

CONCLUSION

CBD is an antagonist against pro-inflammatory cytokines and the cytokine storm associated with neurological infections/disorders. CBD regulates adenosine/oxidative stress and aids the downregulation of TNF-α, restoration of BDNF mRNA expression, and recovery of serotonin levels. Thus, CBD is involved in immune suppression and anti-inflammation. Understanding the metabolites associated with response to CBD is imperative to understand the phenotype. We propose that metabolomics will be the next scientific frontier that will reveal novel information on CBD's therapeutic tendencies in neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders.

Phytocannabinoids in the Pharmacotherapy of Psoriasis

Phytocannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds, the main source of which is Cannabis sativa L. Through direct action or interaction with G protein-coupled receptors, they affect ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and modify the effectiveness of transcription factor responsible for the biosynthesis of antioxidants which lead to oxidative stress and its consequences. Due to the modification of the redox balance and inflammation, phytocannabinoids are used in the treatment of various diseases, including autoimmune dermatoses, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatoses, and one of unknown etiology. A disturbed redox balance with a shift towards the oxidation leads to oxidative stress, resulting in oxidative modifications, mainly of lipids and proteins, and prolonged activation of immune cells and increased generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in chronic inflammation. Given the biological activity of phytocannabinoids, they have become the focus of research as components of pharmacotherapy for psoriasis. Beneficial effects were shown by various representatives of phytocannabinoids, but the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on skin cells (in vitro and ex vivo) and on blood cells from patients with psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis has been most often evaluated in recent years.

The molecular activity of cannabidiol in the regulation of Nrf2 system interacting with NF-κB pathway under oxidative stress

Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid of Cannabis sativa L., is one of the most studied compounds in pharmacotherapeutic approaches to treat oxidative stress-related diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and neoplastic diseases. The literature data to date indicate the possibility of both antioxidant and pro-oxidative effects of CBD. Thus, the mechanism of action of this natural compound in the regulation of nuclear factor 2 associated with erythroid 2 (Nrf2), which plays the role of the main cytoprotective regulator of redox balance and inflammation under oxidative stress conditions, seems to be particularly important. Moreover, Nrf2 is strongly correlated with the cellular neoplastic profile and malignancy, which in turn is critical in determining the cellular response induced by CBD under pathophysiological conditions. This paper summarizes the CBD-mediated pathways of regulation of the Nrf2 system by altering the expression and modification of both proteins directly involved in Nrf2 transcriptional activity and proteins involved in the relationship between Nrf2 and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) which is another redox-sensitive transcription factor.

Impact of ROS-Dependent Lipid Metabolism on Psoriasis Pathophysiology

Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease, yet its pathophysiology is not fully understood. It is now believed that psoriasis is caused by the increased activation of immune cells, especially Th1 lymphocytes. However, in psoriasis, immune cells interfere with the metabolism of keratinocytes, leading to their increased activation. Therefore, the pathophysiology of psoriasis is currently associated with the overproduction of ROS, which are involved in the activation of immune cells and keratinocytes as well as the modulation of various signaling pathways within them. Nevertheless, ROS modulate the immune system by also boosting the increasing generation of various lipid mediators, such as products of lipid peroxidation as well as endocannabinoids and prostaglandins. In psoriasis, the excessive generation of ROS and lipid mediators is observed in different immune cells, such as granulocytes, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes. All of the above may be activated by ROS and lipid mediators, which leads to inflammation. Nevertheless, ROS and lipid mediators regulate lymphocyte differentiation in favor of Th1 and may also interact directly with keratinocytes, which is also observed in psoriasis. Thus, the analysis of the influence of oxidative stress and its consequences for metabolic changes, including lipidomic ones, in psoriasis may be of diagnostic and therapeutic importance.

Photoprotective Effects of Cannabidiol against Ultraviolet-B-Induced DNA Damage and Autophagy in Human Keratinocyte Cells and Mouse Skin Tissue

Cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as a phytocannabinoid with various beneficial effects for the skin, including anti-photoaging effects, but its mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. The study assessed CBD’s photoprotective effects against acute ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage in HaCaT human keratinocyte cells and murine skin tissue. CBD (8 μM) alleviated UVB-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and G2/M cell cycle arrest in HaCaT cells. The contents of γH2AX and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers were decreased after CBD treatment. CBD reduced the production of reactive oxygen species and modulated the expression of antioxidant-related proteins such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells. Furthermore, CBD mitigated the UVB-induced cytotoxicity by activating autophagy. In addition, a cream containing 5% CBD showed effectiveness against UVB-induced photodamage in a murine model. The CBD cream improved the skin’s condition by lowering the photodamage scores, reducing abnormal skin proliferation, and decreasing expression of the inflammation-related protein cyclooxygenase-2 in UVB-irradiated skin tissue. These findings indicate that CBD might be beneficial in alleviating UVB-induced skin damage in humans. The photoprotective effects of CBD might be attributed to its modulatory effects on redox homeostasis and autophagy.

Influence of Inhibition of COX-2-Dependent Lipid Metabolism on Regulation of UVB-Induced Keratinocytes Apoptosis by Cannabinoids

Inflammation and apoptosis are regulated by similar factors, including ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and cannabinoids, which are metabolized by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) into pro-apoptotic prostaglandin derivatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition by celecoxib on the apoptosis of keratinocytes modulated by UVB, anandamide (AEA) and cannabidiol (CBD). For this purpose, keratinocytes were non-treated/treated with celecoxib and/or with UVB and CBD and AEA. Apoptosis was evaluated using microscopy, gene expressions using quantitate reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; prostaglandins using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and cyclooxygenase activity using spectrophotometry. UVB enhances the percentage of apoptotic keratinocytes, which can be caused by the increased prostaglandin generation by cyclooxygenase-2, or/and induced cannabinoid receptor 1/2 (CB1/2) expression. AEA used alone intensifies apoptosis by affecting caspase expression, and in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes, cyclooxygenase-2 activity is increased, while CBD acts as a cytoprotective when used with or without UVB. After COX-2 inhibition, UVB-induced changes are partially ameliorated, when anandamide becomes an anti-apoptotic agent. It can be caused by observed reduced generation of anandamide pro-apoptotic derivative prostaglandin-ethanolamide by COX. Therefore, products of cyclooxygenase-dependent lipid metabolism seem to play an important role in the modulation of UVB-induced apoptosis by cannabinoids, which is particularly significant in case of AEA as inhibition of cyclooxygenase reduces the generation of pro-apoptotic lipid mediators and thus prevents apoptosis.

Protective Effects of Cannabidiol on Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis via the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE Signaling Pathways

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common complication during chemotherapy characterized by ulceration, mucosa atrophy, and necrosis, which seriously interferes with nutritional intake and oncotherapy procedures among patients. However, the efficacy of current treatments for OM remains limited. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural cannabinoid with multiple biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. In this study, we aimed to investigate the chemopreventive effects and mechanisms of CBD in protecting C57BL/6N mice and human oral keratinocytes (HOK) from 5-fluorouracil- (5-FU-) induced OM. Here, we found that CBD alleviated the severity of 5-FU-induced OM in mice, including improved survival, decreased body weight loss, reduced ulcer sizes, and improved clinical scores. Histologically, CBD restored epithelial thickness and normal structure in tongue tissues. Meanwhile, CBD attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and improved the antioxidant response, suppressed the inflammatory response, promoted the proliferation of epithelial cells, and inhibited 5-FU-induced apoptosis. In vitro, consistent outcomes showed that CBD suppressed cellular ROS levels, enhanced antioxidant ability, reduced inflammatory response, promoted proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis in 5-FU-treated HOK cells. In particular, CBD upregulated the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), by increasing the expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and decreasing Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Notably, the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the protective effect of CBD. Nrf2-siRNA transfection also significantly blunted the antioxidant effect of CBD in in vitro OM model. Collectively, our findings suggested that CBD protected against 5-FU-induced OM injury at least partially via the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathways, highlighting the therapeutic prospects of CBD as a novel strategy for chemotherapy-induced OM.