Abstract
Humans have been using marijuana or cannabis for a few thousands of years, as a recreational or medicinal drug. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Because of the undesirable side effects and potential abuse, the medical use of THC has been restricted to a limited number of medical conditions. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostanoids. Recent study shows that synaptic and cognitive impairments elicited by THC are associated with COX-2 induction through CB1 receptor-coupled G-protein subunits, and downstream NF-δB signaling pathway. COX-2 inhibition by pharmacological or genetic manipulations maintains integrity of hippocampal synaptic structure and function, and improves long-term synaptic plasticity, spatial learning, and memory in animals repeatedly exposed to THC. This information suggests that the medical use of marijuana would be broadened by concurrent COX-2 inhibition, which eliminates the major adverse effects of THC, while retaining cannabinoid beneficial effects.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Handbook of Cannabis and Related Pathologies |
Subtitle of host publication | Biology, Pharmacology, Diagnosis, and Treatment |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 729-738 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128008270 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128007563 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 24 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Astroglial cells
- Cannabinoid receptors
- Cannabis
- Cyclooxygenase-2
- GTP-binding protein
- Glutamate receptors
- Learning and memory
- Long-term potentiation
- Marijuana
- Prostaglandin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Neuroscience