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Masoumi M, Manavi MA, Mohammad Jafari R, Mirzaei A, Hedayatyanfard K, Beigmohammadi MT, Dehpour AR. Cannabidiol Anticonvulsant Effects Against Lithium-Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus in Male Rats Are Mediated by Neuroinflammation Modulation and Cannabinoids 1 (CB1), But Not CB2 and GABA A Receptors. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:797-808. [PMID: 37976207 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is a series of seizures that can lead to serious neurological damages. Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from the cannabis plant, which has been approved as an antiseizure medication. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of various doses of CBD on lithium-pilocarpine-induced SE in rats and possible involvement of multiple pharmacological pathways. We hypothesized that cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and CB2, as well as GABAA receptors, might have important roles in the anticonvulsant effects of CBD against SE by its anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: SE was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lithium (127 mg/kg, i.p.) and pilocarpine (60 mg/kg, i.p., 20 h after lithium). Forty-two male rats were divided into seven groups (including control and sham groups), and the treated groups received different doses of CBD (1, 3, 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, i.p.). SE score was recorded over the next 2 h following pilocarpine injection. Then, we measured the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-lβ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, using ELISA kits. Also we analyzed the expression of CB1, CB2, and GABAA receptors using the Western blot technique. Results: CBD at 5 mg/kg significantly reduced Racine's scale and duration of seizures, and increased the onset time of seizure. Moreover, CBD 5 mg/kg caused significant reductions in the elevated levels of IL-lβ and TNF-α, as well as a significant increase in the decreased level of CB1 receptor expression compared to the control group. In other word, CBD reverted the effects of SE in terms of neuroinflammation and CB1 receptor. Based on the obtained results, CBD was not able to restore the declined levels of CB2 or GABAA receptors. Conclusion: Our study found anticonvulsant effects of CBD on the SE rat model induced by lithium-pilocarpine with probable involvement of CB1 receptors and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing IL-1β and TNF-α markers independent of CB2 and GABAA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahla Masoumi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Manavi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Mohammad Jafari
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Mirzaei
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keshvad Hedayatyanfard
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Beigmohammadi
- Department of Intensive Care, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Umezu HL, Bittencourt-Silva PG, Mourão FAG, Moreira FA, Moraes MFD, Santos VR, da Silva GSF. Respiratory activity during seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2024; 323:104229. [PMID: 38307440 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2024.104229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the respiratory activity in adult Wistar rats across different behavioral seizure severity induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Animals underwent surgery for electrodes implantation, allowing simultaneous EEG and diaphragm EMG (DIAEMG) recordings and the respiratory frequency and DIAEMG amplitude were measured. Seizures were acutely induced through PTZ injection and classified based on a pre-established score, with absence-like seizures (spike wave discharge (SWD) events on EEG) representing the lowest score. The respiratory activity was grouped into the different seizure severities. During absence-like and myoclonic jerk seizures, the breathing frequency decreased significantly (∼50% decrease) compared to pre- and post-ictal periods. Pronounced changes occurred with more severe seizures (clonic and tonic) with periods of apnea, especially during tonic seizures. Apnea duration was significantly higher in tonic compared to clonic seizures. Notably, during PTZ-induced tonic seizures the apnea events were marked by tonic DIAEMG contraction (tonic-phase apnea). In the majority of animals (5 out of 7) this was a fatal event in which the seizure-induced respiratory arrest preceded the asystole. In conclusion, we provide an assessment of the respiratory activity in the PTZ-induced acute seizures and showed that breathing dysfunction is more pronounced in seizures with higher severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna L Umezu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Paloma G Bittencourt-Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Flávio A G Mourão
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabrício A Moreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Márcio Flávio D Moraes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Victor R Santos
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Glauber S F da Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Chalmé RL, Frankot MA, Anderson KG. Discriminative-stimulus effects of cannabidiol oil in Sprague-Dawley rats. Behav Pharmacol 2024; 35:36-46. [PMID: 38085665 PMCID: PMC10922827 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the major centrally active phytocannabinoid components of cannabis, and has been approved by the FDA only for the treatment of seizures associated with three rare disorders. It has also been touted as a potential treatment for anxiety in place of more traditional treatments like benzodiazepines. Although there is some evidence of anxiolytic effects of CBD, its suitability as a substitute for benzodiazepines is unknown. This experiment was designed to assess the extent to which CBD shares interoceptive discriminative-stimulus properties with the anxiolytic drug chlordiazepoxide (CDP), a benzodiazepine. In the present experiment, a range of doses (0-1569 mg/kg) of over-the-counter CBD oil was administered (i.g.) in male Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate 5.6 mg/kg CDP from saline. Due to the long time-course effects of CBD, generalization tests were conducted at 90 and 120 min post-CBD administration. The two highest doses of CBD tested (1064 and 1569 mg/kg) were found to partially substitute for 5.6 mg/kg CDP, with mean percent responding on the CDP-associated lever reaching above 20% at time 2 (120 min post-CBD administration), suggesting that high doses of the over-the-counter CBD oils used in this experiment share interoceptive discriminative-stimulus properties to some degree with CDP. These results are novel in comparison to existing research into stimulus effects of CBD, in which substitution for benzodiazepines has not previously been observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Chalmé
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York
| | - Michelle A. Frankot
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Karen G. Anderson
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
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Elliott T, Gienapp AJ, Wheless JW. Dispensary Cannabidiol (CBD): Nothing to Worry About! Child Neurol Open 2023; 10:2329048X231169395. [PMID: 37101430 PMCID: PMC10123877 DOI: 10.1177/2329048x231169395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Despite US FDA approval of cannabidiol (CBD) liquid (Epidiolex®), patients with epilepsy still supplement prescription treatments with dispensary CBD. This study aimed to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness of dispensary CBD. Methods: We retrospectively collected dosage information, CBD serum levels, efficacy, and adverse effects from patient charts (children, adolescents, adults) (n = 18). Results: All 18 patients showed no clinical benefit from dispensary CBD as detectable serum levels never reached a therapeutic range of 150 ng/mL (6 patients had barely detectable levels that were below laboratory reporting thresholds). Minute levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were found in 3 patients, and moderate levels were found in 1 patient. Conclusion: Dispensary CBD failed to reach effective therapeutic levels in all of these patients. The presence of THC demonstrates the current lack of regulation of dispensary CBD. Anecdotal reports of clinical effectiveness should be considered an effect of concomitant prescription antiseizure medications and not dispensary CBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Elliott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Andrew J. Gienapp
- Neuroscience Institute, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - James W. Wheless
- Neuroscience Institute, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- James Wheless, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, 49 North Dunlap, 3 Floor, Neurology, Memphis, TN 38103, USA.
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Zavala-Tecuapetla C, Luna-Munguia H, López-Meraz ML, Cuellar-Herrera M. Advances and Challenges of Cannabidiol as an Anti-Seizure Strategy: Preclinical Evidence. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416181. [PMID: 36555823 PMCID: PMC9783044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of Cannabis for medicinal purposes has been documented since ancient times, where one of its principal cannabinoids extracted from Cannabis sativa, cannabidiol (CBD), has emerged over the last few years as a promising molecule with anti-seizure potential. Here, we present an overview of recent literature pointing out CBD's pharmacological profile (solubility, metabolism, drug-drug interactions, etc.,), CBD's interactions with multiple molecular targets as well as advances in preclinical research concerning its anti-seizure effect on both acute seizure models and chronic models of epilepsy. We also highlight the recent attention that has been given to other natural cannabinoids and to synthetic derivatives of CBD as possible compounds with therapeutic anti-seizure potential. All the scientific research reviewed here encourages to continue to investigate the probable therapeutic efficacy of CBD and its related compounds not only in epilepsy but also and specially in drug-resistant epilepsy, since there is a dire need for new and effective drugs to treat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Zavala-Tecuapetla
- Laboratory of Physiology of Reticular Formation, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Insurgentes Sur 3877, La Fama, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
- Correspondence:
| | - Hiram Luna-Munguia
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - María-Leonor López-Meraz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Luis Castelazo Ayala s/n, Col. Industrial Ánimas, Xalapa 91190, Mexico
| | - Manola Cuellar-Herrera
- Epilepsy Clinic, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Dr. Balmis 148, Doctores, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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Anticonvulsant Action and Long-Term Effects of Chronic Cannabidiol Treatment in the Rat Pentylenetetrazole-Kindling Model of Epilepsy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081811. [PMID: 36009358 PMCID: PMC9405483 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) showed anticonvulsant action in several preclinical models and is currently approved by regulatory agencies to treat childhood epilepsy syndromes. However, CBD treatment has limited benefits, and its long-term effects on cognition are not fully understood yet. This study aimed to examine the impact of long-term CBD treatment in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindling model of epilepsy. Adult male Wistar rats (N = 24) received PTZ (35 mg/kg intraperitoneally) every other day until two consecutive generalized seizures occurred. CBD (60 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily by the oral route until the kindled state was achieved (n = 12). To confirm that the formulation and administration techniques were not of concern, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was performed to test the brain penetration of the CBD formula. As a result of CBD treatment, a lower mortality rate and significantly prolonged generalized seizure latency (925.3 ± 120.0 vs. 550.1 ± 69.62 s) were observed, while the frequency and duration of generalized seizures were not influenced. The CBD-treated group showed a significant decrease in vertical exploration in the open field test and a significant decrease in the discrimination index in the novel object recognition (NOR) test (−0.01 ± 0.17 vs. 0.57 ± 0.15, p = 0.04). The observed behavioral characteristics may be connected to the decreased thickness of the stratum pyramidale or the decreased astrogliosis observed in the hippocampus. In conclusion, CBD treatment did not prevent kindling, nor did it affect seizure frequency or duration. However, it did increase the latency to the first seizure and decreased the prolonged status epilepticus-related mortality in PTZ-kindled rats. The cognitive impairment observed in the NOR test may be related to the high dose used in this study, which may warrant further investigation.
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Rachayon M, Jirakran K, Sodsai P, Klinchanhom S, Sughondhabirom A, Plaimas K, Suratanee A, Maes M. In Vitro Effects of Cannabidiol on Activated Immune–Inflammatory Pathways in Major Depressive Patients and Healthy Controls. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040405. [PMID: 35455402 PMCID: PMC9032852 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder and major depressive episodes (MDD/MDE) are characterized by the activation of the immune–inflammatory response system (IRS) and the compensatory immune–regulatory system (CIRS). Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid isolated from the cannabis plant, which is reported to have antidepressant-like and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of CBD on IRS, CIRS, M1, T helper (Th)-1, Th-2, Th-17, T regulatory (Treg) profiles, and growth factors in depression and healthy controls. Culture supernatant of stimulated (5 μg/mL of PHA and 25 μg/mL of LPS) whole blood of 30 depressed patients and 20 controls was assayed for cytokines using the LUMINEX assay. The effects of three CBD concentrations (0.1 µg/mL, 1 µg/mL, and 10 µg/mL) were examined. Depression was characterized by significantly increased PHA + LPS-stimulated Th-1, Th-2, Th-17, Treg, IRS, CIRS, and neurotoxicity profiles. CBD 0.1 µg/mL did not have any immune effects. CBD 1.0 µg/mL decreased CIRS activities but increased growth factor production, while CBD 10.0 µg/mL suppressed Th-1, Th-17, IRS, CIRS, and a neurotoxicity profile and enhanced T cell growth and growth factor production. CBD 1.0 to 10.0 µg/mL dose-dependently decreased sIL-1RA, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, CCL11, G-CSF, IFN-γ, CCL2, CCL4, and CCL5, and increased IL-1β, IL-4, IL-15, IL-17, GM-CSF, TNF-α, FGF, and VEGF. In summary, in this experiment, there was no beneficial effect of CBD on the activated immune profile of depression and higher CBD concentrations can worsen inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muanpetch Rachayon
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.R.); (K.J.); (A.S.)
| | - Ketsupar Jirakran
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.R.); (K.J.); (A.S.)
- Maximizing Thai Children’s Developmental Potential Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pimpayao Sodsai
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Siriwan Klinchanhom
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Atapol Sughondhabirom
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.R.); (K.J.); (A.S.)
| | - Kitiporn Plaimas
- Advanced Virtual and Intelligent Computing (AVIC) Center, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Apichat Suratanee
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand;
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (M.R.); (K.J.); (A.S.)
- IMPACT Strategic Research Center, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Correspondence:
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