Cannabidiol Research Articles (Page 1)

Background: With the evolving legal landscape in South Africa, cannabidiol (CBD) and non-medical cannabis products are increasingly available, posing challenges for healthcare professionals. Retail pharmacists, as key figures in patient care, face a critical knowledge gap in providing informed advice on these products. This study assessed the attitudes and clinical knowledge of retail pharmacists in South Africa regarding the recommendation and patient counselling with respect to CBD and non-medical cannabis. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design study was conducted, using an online survey to evaluate pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes towards CBD and non-medical cannabis. A sample of 178 pharmacists provided a statistical power of 0.997, ensuring robust results. Results: While 69% of pharmacists recognised CBD’s therapeutic potential, 63% felt unprepared to recommend it because of insufficient knowledge and 60% cited a lack of resources in their pharmacies. Only 13% scored above 50% in the knowledge assessment, which included legislative and clinical understanding related to CBD and non-medical cannabis, with 31% reporting no formal training to educate themselves on CBD products. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for targeted educational initiatives and clear South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) guidelines to bridge knowledge gaps among retail pharmacists. Updated resources on CBD safety, interactions and therapeutic use are critical to empower pharmacists to deliver evidence-based counselling. Contribution: The findings contribute to healthcare education, policy reform, and health promotion by emphasising the importance of equipping pharmacists with the tools necessary for safe and effective counselling on CBD and cannabis products.

Rapid suppression of neuropathic pain and somatosensory hyperactivity by nano-formulated cannabidiol.

Abstract Introduction Cannabis legalization enables greater access to commercial cannabis among adults. Little is known about the extent to which demand for cannabis is met by licit or illicit markets among states with medical-only or recreational cannabis laws, or no legalization. Methods Annual sales values of medical and recreational tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), illicit THC, hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) THC were estimated for 2024 in 12 US states by combining and triangulating data from national- and state-level public sources, Euromonitor’s Passport database, in-store audits (n=142), retailer interviews (n=78), and expert interviews (n=10) of cannabis industry stakeholders. States were classified into three types of cannabis legalization status. Results State-level THC market size was substantial, accounting for ≥90% of the combined cannabis market value of THC and CBD, regardless of legalization status. However, the composition of THC markets—across legal recreational, medical, illicit, and hemp-derived segments—varied considerably, even among states with the same legalization status. Conclusions The emergence of hemp-derived THC in both legal and non-legal markets alongside the persistence of illicit THC sales in legal markets highlight regulatory gaps and challenges in market oversight. These findings underscore the need for integrated policy approaches that align enforcement strategies with public health objectives and consumer education.

CBD holds substantial promise in medical applications. This review aims to comprehensively analyse the current status of cannabidiol (CBD) in dentistry. A systematic search of databases including PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), European Patent Office (EPO), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was conducted. Peer-reviewed journal manuscripts focusing on cell studies, clinical trials, and registered patents related to CBD and its derivatives in dentistry were summarised. Inclusion criteria were studies on CBD in dentistry, including original research and patents, published in English between 2013 and mid-2023 (articles) or early 2024 (patents), with full-text availability. Excluded were non-dentistry studies, unpublished or non-peer-reviewed reports, and duplicates using Microsoft Excel. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Two observers independently screened the articles for inclusion in the present study to mitigate bias. Cohen's kappa was used to measure inter-rater agreement. The total number of included studies was 57. Cell-based studies demonstrated CBD's effectiveness in modulating cellular responses and anti-inflammatory properties, especially in oral-origin cells, and its impact on osteogenic differentiation. Research, including clinical trials and patents, has shown CBD's benefits in treating pain and inflammation in the maxillofacial area, notably in conditions such as radiation-induced mucositis. CBD research in dental pain and inflammation is advanced, but studies on CBD's role in regenerative dentistry remain limited. More studies on the mineralisation of oro-facial structures are necessary to fully understand CBD's role in regenerative dentistry. This study was supported by the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (ID: CRD4201055832) and Open Science Framework (OSF) database (osf.io/z3bd8). The PRISMA guideline was followed to include the relevant full-text papers.

Cannabis cigarette smoking disrupts mice multi-organ bioactive lipid metabolism and inflammation-resolution signaling in an obesogenic setting.

Cannabis use is associated with psychiatric comorbidities, and the use of elta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) produces different neurophysiological and pharmacological effects. This study estimated the strength of associations between vaping of THC and CBD with depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. Observational data were drawn from three years of the nationally representative US National Youth Tobacco Survey (2021-2023). The survey adopted a probabilistic stratified, three-stage cluster design. The United States. A total of 69 899 adolescents aged 11 to 18, with 51.3% males. CBD and THC cannabis vaping behaviours; Patient Health Questionnaire 2-item and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 2-item, which respectively assess depressive and anxiety symptoms. Logistics regression analyses were conducted after multiple imputation and adjusting for covariates. Relative to those who did not vape, adolescents who vaped THC only [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20-1.64] or dual CBD/THC (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.22-1.86) were more likely to experience depressive symptoms; whereas those who vaped CBD only (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.24-2.46) or THC only (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.01-1.38) were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms. When the sample was restricted to adolescents who had vaped cannabis products, those who only vaped CBD had a higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety symptoms (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.05-2.17), relative to those who exclusively vaped THC. Among adolescents, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vaping and dual THC/cannabidiol vaping might be associated with an increased risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. In contrast, adolescents who vape cannabidiol may have a higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety symptoms.

Background/Objectives: The use of cannabidiol (CBD) as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent has gained interest in medicine, with studies suggesting potential against various microorganisms. However, its effectiveness against oral pathogens remains underexplored in dental research, highlighting the need for further studies. This scoping review summarizes current evidence on the antimicrobial properties of CBD in dental and oral health. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across seven databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS) up to January 2025. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies that explored the effects of CBD on oral microbiology (in vitro and in vivo in animal models), regardless of language or year of publication. The gray literature was evaluated in the Google Scholar database. Results: A total of 1284 articles were identified, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria for this scoping review. These studies, published between 2019 and 2025, primarily focused on bacterial and fungal cultures. The most commonly used methods were the minimum inhibitory concentration test and counting colony-forming units. The contact methods between CBD and bacterial/fungal cell cultures were either dilution or direct contact. Conclusions: CBD shows promising antimicrobial properties against a range of oral bacteria and fungi, suggesting its potential application in managing oral health conditions.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis and often used for its purported therapeutic benefits. In the form of Epidiolex®, CBD is an FDA-approved treatment for seizure disorders in children. After the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp (cannabis with <0.3% THC) from the Controlled Substance Act in the United States, non-pharmaceutical CBD became widely available on the retail market. With increased use of CBD, it is important to measure CBD in various biological matrices. In urine, previous studies have measured 7-hydroxy-CBD and 7-carboxy-CBD, analogous to the major metabolites of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The aim of this study was to identify metabolites of CBD and verify if 7-hydroxy-CBD and 7-carboxy-CBD are the major metabolites. To identify CBD metabolites, 34 urine samples collected after controlled dosing of 100 mg CBD, representing a wide range of time points (1.5-22 hours), and formulations (Epidiolex, syrup, and vaporized administration) were analyzed by liquid-chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) with and without hydrolysis and compared to 11 samples collected after placebo dosing. Thirteen CBD metabolites were identified, including hydroxylation, carboxylic acid formation, alkyl loss, and dihydrodiol formation. The most abundant metabolites included 7-hydroxy-CBD, 6α-hydroxy-CBD, and a novel metabolite indicating hydroxylation on the pentyl sidechain. Most metabolites were >90% conjugated demonstrating that hydrolysis is required for detection in urine. After oral dosing, metabolite concentrations were higher in urine samples collected 4 and 6 h after dosing compared to 1.5 and 11-22 h. CBD concentrations were higher when CBD was administered as Epidiolex compared to synthetically derived CBD in oral syrup or vaping. In conclusion, the results support the use of 7-hydroxy-CBD as a marker of CBD exposure in hydrolyzed urine, but also identified several novel metabolites that might further our understanding of CBD pharmacokinetics.

Chronic intestinal inflammation, characteristic of diseases such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), represents a growing therapeutic challenge, especially given the side effects and refractoriness to conventional treatments. In this context, non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC) have emerged as promising molecules in modulating the intestinal immunoinflammatory axis. Unlike other substances derived from Cannabis sativa, these compounds do not induce psychotropic effects and have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties documented in preclinical models. Evidence suggests that CBD may reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, while CBG acts to inhibit the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast, CBC has been associated with modulating intestinal barrier permeability, suggesting promising molecules for acting on the inflammatory process in the intestine resulting from intestinal diseases. The aim of this review is to gather and analyze recent experimental data on the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic effects of non-psychoactive cannabinoids on intestinal inflammation.

Melanogenesis, the key biological process underlying skin hyperpigmentation, is tightly regulated by complex molecular signaling pathways. Consequently, targeting molecular regulators of this pathway is a crucial strategy for developing effective skin-whitening agents. Cannabinol (CBN), a minor cannabinoid, has been largely unexplored owing to its role in modulating skin pigmentation. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CBN’s depigmenting effects using an α-MSH-induced B16F10 melanoma cell model. High-purity CBN was obtained via conversion of cannabidiol (CBD) and confirmed by HPLC. CBN significantly inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, without any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we investigated CBN’s impact on the melanogenesis signaling cascade. Our analysis revealed that CBN significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of key melanogenic master regulators, including MITF, TYR, TYRP1, and TYRP2. Importantly, we also observed that CBN treatment selectively suppressed the protein phosphorylation of upstream signaling molecules such as p38 and JNK MAP kinases and NF-κB, while ERK phosphorylation remained unaffected. This finding indicates that its mechanism of action involves the selective modulation of pro-melanogenic signaling components. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CBN effectively modulates the melanogenesis signaling pathway by targeting both upstream kinases and downstream melanogenic genes. These findings suggest that CBN holds great promise as a bioactive agent for skin-whitening applications and warrants further research to confirm its clinical efficacy and safety.

BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, presenting a significant clinical challenge. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a crucial role in TNBC progression, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention. This study investigated the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) as a therapeutic agent that targets EGFR and associated signaling pathways in TNBC.MethodsThe TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 were treated with CBD in the presence or absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). Cell proliferation, FAS protein expression, and activation of the EGFR signaling pathway were assessed. The cytotoxic effects of CBD on TNBC cells and natural killer (NK) cells were also evaluated.ResultsCBD significantly elevated FAS protein expression in MDA-MB-468 cells compared to EGF treatment alone (125.29 ± 5.87% vs. 83.07 ± 1.30%, p < 0.0001). Further molecular analysis revealed that CBD inhibited EGFR signaling by downregulating key oncogenic proteins, including KRAS, PI3K, and AKT. Moreover, CBD enhanced the cytotoxic effects of NK-92 cells, reducing the viability of MDA-MB-468 cells more effectively than EGF alone did (52.12 ± 1.28% vs. 113.69 ± 1.68%, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that CBD holds promise as a potential anticancer agent in TNBC by disrupting EGFR signaling and promoting apoptosis. However, further studies are necessary to optimize its therapeutic window and minimize adverse effects, particularly regarding its potential cytotoxicity to immune cells.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42238-025-00340-5.

This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of a well-characterized cannabidiol (CBD)-rich cannabis extract, CAN296, on T lymphocytes (T cells), particularly Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4+) helper and Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8+) cytotoxic subsets, by examining T-cell activation, cytokine secretion, and cytotoxic molecule expression in comparison with the conventional treatments dexamethasone (DEX) and tacrolimus (TAC). It addresses key processes involved in the formation of premalignant immune-mediated lesions, such as those seen in oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral manifestations of graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD). CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were isolated from healthy donors and assessed in vitro for T cell activation via CD69 expression, secreted tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels according to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cytotoxic molecule expression Granzyme B, Perforin, Fas Ligand (Fas-L) quantified by flow cytometry. Cells were treated with different doses of CAN296 (2, 4, 8 µg/mL), DEX (0.4, 4, 40 µg/mL), or TAC (0.1, 1, 10 ng/mL), and all parameters were compared to untreated controls. CAN296 significantly inhibited T cell activation, reducing CD69 expression in CD4+ T cells to 2–11% and in CD8+ T cells to 5–17%. It also markedly suppressed TNF-α secretion in CD4+ T cells at all concentrations (p &lt; 0.0001). In CD8+ T cells, CAN296 led to a near-complete reduction in TNF-α and IFN-γ, leaving both cytokines barely detectable at all tested doses (p &lt; 0.0001). The effect of cell inhibition was significantly more pronounced than that observed with DEX or TAC, displaying dose-dependent reductions. TAC inconsistently lowered TNF-α while paradoxically increasing IFN-γ at lower concentrations. Additionally, CAN296 consistently suppressed cytotoxic molecule expression, reducing Granzyme B by 81–82%, Perforin by 40–53%, and Fas-L by 40–44%. DEX showed variable effects on cytotoxic molecule expression. At the same time, TAC demonstrated inconsistent modulation of Perforin and Granzyme B. Overall, CAN296 outperformed DEX and TAC, demonstrating more potent and consistent immunomodulatory effects. CBD-rich cannabis extract, CAN296, exhibits potent immunomodulatory properties by effectively inhibiting T cell activation, lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines, and suppressing cytotoxic molecule expression. Its efficacy surpasses conventional therapies like DEX and TAC, offering a promising novel treatment modality for T cell-mediated disorders, including OLP and oGVHD. These findings support further development of CAN296 formulations to optimize dosing and delivery, followed by clinical trials to validate its therapeutic potential.

Introduction: Cannabidiol (CBD) is widely available over the counter for presumed medical and recreational purposes. Despite its non-psychoactive nature, CBD exhibits intrinsic pharmacological activity that may lead to potential adverse drug events (ADEs) and drug–drug interactions (DDI) with common prescription medications through cytochrome P450 inhibition. Due to their largely unregulated nature and widespread advertising, consumers who use CBD products may not be aware of these potential negative drug interactions. The purpose of this study was to determine how frequently patients who use CBD products concurrently take prescription medication with known drug–drug interaction (DDI) potential, and to identify specific therapeutic classes most commonly involved. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was distributed to patients and family members in the adult and pediatric Emergency Departments of a Level 1 Trauma Center in eastern North Carolina. Respondents reported household CBD use and selected from a list of conditions for which they take prescription medications. Results: Of 681 eligible respondents, 254 (37.3%) reported CBD use in their household (CBDUIH). Among those with CBDUIH, 69.7% reported concurrent use of 1 or more medications with a potential DDI risk. The most common categories of prescriptions were antidepressants (64.4%) and antihypertensives (41.8%), followed by agents for diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and immune disorders. Conclusions: The majority of CBD users in this population are concurrently taking medications with DDI potential, highlighting the need for patient and provider education, and improved labeling of CBD-based products to accurately reflect risks. Further study of clinically significant interactions is needed to determine which medications within these common categories have the most substantial risk of DDI.

Cannabidiol releases CB1R from A2AR repression in ischemic stroke.

Oral formulations for cannabidiol: Improved absolute oral bioavailability of biodegradable cannabidiol self-emulsifying drug delivery systems.

D1-like dopamine receptors in the dentate gyrus mediate cannabidiol's facilitation of extinction and prevention of reinstatement in methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference.

BackgroundThis study investigates the therapeutic potential of a combined dose of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at a 100:1 ratio (100 mg/kg CBD and 1 mg/kg THC) in mitigating central calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced migraine symptoms in a mouse model.MethodsThe 100:1 ratio of CBD to THC was administered intraperitoneally, 60 minutes prior to starting all the assays, followed by intracerebroventricular CGRP administration, 30 minutes later, with behavior assays conducted 30 minutes after CGRP injection. To determine whether pretreatment of CBD:THC could counteract CGRP-induced light aversion, we utilized the light/dark assay, which also recorded motility behavior. To investigate whether CBD:THC pretreatment could alleviate CGRP-induced spontaneous pain, we used the automated squint assay.ResultsOur findings show that pretreatment with 100:1 CBD:THC rescued light aversion caused by centrally administered CGRP in CD1 mice. Additionally, CBD:THC pretreatment rescued the increased resting time in darkness, decreased transitions between light and dark zones, and partially rescued the decreased rearing behavior induced by centrally administered CGRP. Moreover, an open field assay confirmed that centrally administered CGRP did not induce anxiety in a light independent assay. Finally, our findings from the automated squint assay indicate that pretreatment with 100:1 CBD:THC partially rescued centrally administered CGRP-induced spontaneous pain.ConclusionsCollectively, these results demonstrate that a combination of CBD and THC can alleviate light aversion and pain symptoms induced by a centrally-acting migraine trigger.

Cannabidiol attenuates diet-induced metabolic endotoxemia, neuroinflammation, and anxiety-like behaviors in male aged rats.

To investigate the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on thermal and mechanical thresholds and physiologic variables in horses. 6 horses (3 geldings and 3 mares) were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, masked crossover design from March 18 through May 3, 2025. Horses received 3.48 mg/kg CBD oil or placebo (sesame oil) orally every 24 hours for 3 days. Thermal and mechanical thresholds were determined at baseline and 4 and 12 hours after treatment administration on each day. Physiologic variables, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature, were recorded at the same time points. Data were analyzed using a generalized mixed model with significance set at P < .05. A Student t test was used to compare time points. Thermal threshold was elevated in the CBD group above baseline and placebo on day 2 at 12 hours and on day 3 at 4 hours. There was no effect of treatment on mechanical threshold. Overall least squares mean (95% CI) respiratory rate was 17 (15 to 20) and 18 (15 to 21) breaths/min in the CBD and placebo groups, respectively. There was no effect of treatment on heart rate or rectal temperature. CBD provided intermittent antinociception as measured by thermal threshold. Oral administration of CBD appears safe and well tolerated at the dose studied.

Cannabis in the wild: Analysis of street cannabis and cannabinoid composition in Australia.