Assessing Cannabidiol as a Therapeutic Agent for Preventing and Alleviating Alzheimer’s Disease Neurodegeneration

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a leading neurodegenerative condition causing cognitive and memory decline. With small-molecule drugs targeting Aβ proving ineffective, alternative targets are urgently needed. Neuroinflammation, which is central to AD’s pathology, results in synaptic and neuronal damage, highlighting the importance of addressing inflammation and conserving neuronal integrity. Cannabidiol (CBD), derived from cannabis, is noted for its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, having shown efficacy in neuropathic pain management for epilepsy. To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of CBD in AD and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms, we aimed to contribute valuable insights for incorporating AD prevention recommendations into future CBD nutritional guidelines. Aβ1–42 was employed for in vivo or in vitro model establishment, CBD treatment was utilized to assess the therapeutic efficacy of CBD, and RNA-seq analysis was conducted to elucidate the underlying therapeutic mechanism. CBD mitigates Aβ-induced cognitive deficits by modulating microglial activity, promoting neurotrophic factor release, and regulating inflammatory genes. The administration of CBD demonstrated a protective effect against Aβ toxicity both in vitro and in vivo, along with an amelioration of cognitive impairment in mice. These findings support the potential inclusion of CBD in future nutritional guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease prevention.