A narrative review of molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD)

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2022 Apr;130(4):439-456. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.13710. Epub 2022 Feb 6.

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an abundant non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid in cannabis extracts which has high affinity on a series of receptors, including Type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1), Type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2), GPR55, transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). By modulating the activities of these receptors, CBD exhibits multiple therapeutic effects, including neuroprotective, antiepileptic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticancer properties. CBD could also be applied to treat or prevent COVID-19 and its complications. Here, we provide a narrative review of CBD's applications in human diseases: from mechanism of action to clinical trials.

Keywords: cannabidiol; cannabinoid receptor; clinical trial; endocannabinoid system.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Cannabidiol / pharmacology
  • Cannabidiol / therapeutic use*
  • Endocannabinoids / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Cannabidiol

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