Therapeutic Potential for Cannabinoids and Their Receptors

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 January 2024) | Viewed by 13766

Special Issue Editors


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Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: medicinal chemistry; drug design; ligand–protein binding; molecular interactions; molecular modeling; hit identification; lead optimization
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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: medicinal chemistry; drug discovery; chemical synthesis; PROTAC; anticancer agents; cancer metabolism; endocannabinoid system
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Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: medicinal chemistry; drug discovery; chemical synthesis; structure–activity relationship of bioactive compounds; cannabinoids; CB2R/CB1R ligands; allosteric modulators; bitopic ligands; natural products; polyphenols
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Interests: secondary metabolites; ethnopharmacology; abiotic stress; abiotic stress tolerance; cannabis sativa; cannabaceae; medical marijuana; phytocannabinoids; CB1 receptor; cannabidiol; tetrahydrocannabinol; CB2 receptor; cannabinoids; cannabinoid receptor agonists; cannabinoid receptor antagonists; cannabinoid receptor modulators
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new Special Issue of the journal Pharmaceuticals on the subject of cannabinoids titled “Therapeutic Potential for Cannabinoids and their Receptors”. We sincerely invite you to submit either a review or a research paper to this Special Issue, towards the goal of establishing a collection of papers to provide a cutting-edge view for scholars in the field. 

The literature suggests that natural cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa present several promising therapeutic effects. Studies aimed at understanding the pharmacology and the interactions with their putative targets, namely cannabinoid receptors CB1 (CB1R) and CB2 (CB2R), have been developed in the last 30 years leading to the synthesis of new series of CB1R/CB2R ligands, either selective or unselective, with different behavior. The strong clinical limitation of cannabinoids is represented by their side effects; however, in the last few years, new strategies have been found to overcome this issue.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish original research papers or relevant updates to the literature on recent advancements and challenges in the study of cannabinoids and in the design of new CB1R and/or CB2R ligands. This will include the identification of new lead compounds, the investigation of their mechanism of action and signaling pathways, and their potential therapeutical applications, with the aim of highlighting the diversity and innovation of this research field.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Tiziano Tuccinardi
Prof. Dr. Carlotta Granchi
Dr. Francesca Gado
Dr. Andrea Mastinu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cannabinoids
  • cannabinoid receptors
  • chemical synthesis
  • biological activity
  • endocannabinoid system
  • cannabinoid receptor ligands

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

23 pages, 2698 KiB  
Review
Rational Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Fluorescent CB2 Receptor Ligands for Live-Cell Imaging: A Comprehensive Review
by Pinaki Bhattacharjee and Malliga R. Iyer
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(9), 1235; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16091235 - 31 Aug 2023
Viewed by 2252
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are activated via endogenous lipids called endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a critical role in the regulation of several physiological states and a wide range of [...] Read more.
The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are activated via endogenous lipids called endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a critical role in the regulation of several physiological states and a wide range of diseases. In recent years, drug discovery approaches targeting the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) have gained prominence. Particular attention has been given to selective agonists targeting the CB2 receptors to circumvent the neuropsychotropic side effects associated with CB1 receptors. The pharmacological modulation of CB2R holds therapeutic promise for various diseases, such as inflammatory disorders and immunological conditions, as well as pain management and cancer treatment. Recently, the utilization of fluorescent probes has emerged as a valuable technique for investigating the interactions between ligands and proteins at an exceptional level of spatial and temporal precision. In this review, we aim to examine the progress made in the development of fluorescent probes targeting CB2 receptors and highlight their significance in facilitating the successful clinical translation of CB2R-based therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential for Cannabinoids and Their Receptors)
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22 pages, 1607 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma
by Theresa Lindner, Doreen Schmidl, Laura Peschorn, Viktoria Pai, Alina Popa-Cherecheanu, Jacqueline Chua, Leopold Schmetterer and Gerhard Garhöfer
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(8), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16081149 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2896
Abstract
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. To date, intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor in glaucoma treatment, but even in treated patients, the disease can progress. Cannabinoids, which have been known to lower IOP since the 1970s, [...] Read more.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. To date, intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor in glaucoma treatment, but even in treated patients, the disease can progress. Cannabinoids, which have been known to lower IOP since the 1970s, have been shown to have beneficial effects in glaucoma patients beyond their IOP-lowering properties. In addition to the classical cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, knowledge of non-classical cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system has increased in recent years. In particular, the CB2 receptor has been shown to mediate anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective properties, which may represent a promising therapeutic target for neuroprotection in glaucoma patients. Due to their vasodilatory effects, cannabinoids improve blood flow to the optic nerve head, which may suggest a vasoprotective potential and counteract the altered blood flow observed in glaucoma patients. The aim of this review was to assess the available evidence on the effects and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in glaucoma patients. The pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabinoids on IOP, neuroprotection, and ocular hemodynamics have been discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential for Cannabinoids and Their Receptors)
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35 pages, 5304 KiB  
Review
The Skin and Natural Cannabinoids–Topical and Transdermal Applications
by Silviu-Iulian Filipiuc, Anca-Narcisa Neagu, Cristina Mariana Uritu, Bogdan-Ionel Tamba, Leontina-Elena Filipiuc, Ivona Maria Tudorancea, Andreea Nicoleta Boca, Mădălina Florina Hâncu, Vlad Porumb and Walther Bild
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(7), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16071049 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 7692
Abstract
The chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant known as cannabinoids have been extensively researched for their potential therapeutic benefits. The use of cannabinoids applied to the skin as a potential method for both skin-related benefits and systemic administration has attracted increasing interest in [...] Read more.
The chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant known as cannabinoids have been extensively researched for their potential therapeutic benefits. The use of cannabinoids applied to the skin as a potential method for both skin-related benefits and systemic administration has attracted increasing interest in recent years. This review aims to present an overview of the most recent scientific research on cannabinoids used topically, including their potential advantages for treating a number of skin conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and acne. Additionally, with a focus on the pharmacokinetics and security of this route of administration, we investigate the potential of the transdermal delivery of cannabinoids as a method of systemic administration. The review also discusses the restrictions and difficulties related to the application of cannabinoids on the skin, emphasizing the potential of topical cannabinoids as a promising route for both localized and systemic administration. More studies are required to fully comprehend the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in various settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential for Cannabinoids and Their Receptors)
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