Cannabidiol and neurodegeneration: From molecular mechanisms to clinical benefits

• Published in: Ageing research reviews 2024-09, Vol.100, p.102386, Article 102386
• Main Authors: Jha, Saurabh Kumar, Nelson, Vinod Kumar, Suryadevara, Punna Rao, Panda, Siva Prasad, Pullaiah, Chitikela P., Nuli, Mohana Vamsi, Kamal, Mehnaz, Imran, Mohd, Ausali, Saijyothi, Abomughaid, Mosleh Mohammad, Srivastava, Rashi, Deka, Rahul, Pritam, Pingal, Gupta, Neha, Shyam, Harishankar, Singh, Indrakant K., Pandey, Bindhy Wasini, Dewanjee, Saikat, Jha, Niraj Kumar, Jafari, Seid Mahdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-inflammatory; Anti-oxidant; Cannabidiol; Cannabidiol - pharmacology; Cannabidiol - therapeutic use; Clearance of protein aggregates; Humans; Inflammation; Neurodegenerative disease; Neurodegenerative Diseases - drug therapy; Neurodegenerative Diseases - metabolism; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Protein aggregations; ROS
• ISSN: 1568-1637; 1872-9649; 1872-9649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102386

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are severe and life-threatening conditions in which significant damage of functional neurons occurs to produce psycho-motor malfunctions. NDs are an important cause of death in the elderly population worldwide. These disorders are commonly associated with the progression of age, oxidative stress, and environmental pollutants, which are the major etiological factors. Abnormal aggregation of specific proteins such as α-synuclein, amyloid-β, huntingtin, and tau, and accumulation of the associated oligomers in neurons are the hallmark pathological features of NDs. Existing therapeutic options for NDs are only symptomatic relief and do not address root-causing factors, such as protein aggregation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotic natural cannabinoid obtained from Cannabis sativa that possesses multiple pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects in various NDs and other neurological disorders both in vitro and in vivo. CBD has gained attention as a promising drug candidate for the management of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, by inhibiting protein aggregation, free radicals, and neuroinflammation. In parallel, CBD has shown positive results in other neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, as well as adjuvant treatment with existing standard therapeutic agents. Hence, the present review focuses on exploring the possible molecular mechanisms in controlling various neurological disorders as well as the clinical applications of CBD in NDs including epilepsy, depression and anxiety. In this way, the current review will serve as a standalone reference for the researchers working in this area. •Protein aggregations are the pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative and neurological diseases.•Accumulated protein aggregates trigger the inflammatory response and induce oxidative stress in the brain parts.•CBD rescue from NDs by abrogating inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating multiple signalling pathways.•CBD shows clinical benefits against various neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.