Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is a complex lipid signaling network that has evolved to be a key regulator of pro-homeostatic pathways for the organism. Its involvement in numerous processes has rendered it a very suitable target for pharmacological studies regarding metabolic syndrome, obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases. Cannabinomimetic molecules have been found in a large variety of foods, most of which are normally present in the Mediterranean diet. The majority of these compounds belong to the terpene and polyphenol classes. While it is known that they do not necessarily act directly on the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, their ability to regulate their expression levels has already been shown in some disease-related models, as well as their ability to modulate the activity of other components of the system. In this review, evidence was gathered to support the idea that phytocannabinoid dietary intake may indeed be a viable strategy for disease prevention and may be helpful in maintaining the health status. In an era where personalized nutrition is becoming more and more a reality, having new therapeutic targets could become an important resource.
Highlights
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex lipid-signaling network that has evolved to be a very important regulator of pro-homeostatic pathways for our organism
As Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is so present in the Mediterranean diet, it is important to define whether the consumption of its bioactive molecules could impact health and quality of life in general and if their relationship with the ECS could contribute to maintaining the health status
Among the most studied terpenes, we can find α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool, Eugenol, β-myrcene, α-humulene and limonene [13,43,44]. While all of these and many other terpenes have very interesting properties [13,43,45], the scope of this review is to evaluate them on the basis of their interaction with ECS and its mediators, so only those most represented in literature will be discussed
Summary
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex lipid-signaling network that has evolved to be a very important regulator of pro-homeostatic pathways for our organism. Given that the ECS is involved in many lifestyle and non-lifestyle related diseases, research on cannabinoids and the medical use of cannabis have become a reality in the scientific community, to the point that some agonists and antagonists of CBRs have already been developed with the idea to mimic the endogenous ligands and induce a modulation of the system in favor of more adequate endocannabinoid expression levels An example of these is the selective CB1 antagonist Rimonabant, which was able to induce an efficient weight loss in obese patients by lowering ECS tone through CB1 blockade [9]. As EVOO is so present in the Mediterranean diet, it is important to define whether the consumption of its bioactive molecules could impact health and quality of life in general and if their relationship with the ECS could contribute to maintaining the health status
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