Cannabis sativa L. oil extract affects neuroinflammation, clinical score, and cannabinoid receptor-1 gene expression in C57bl/6 experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative central nervous system disease derived by immune mechanisms, which ultimately results in clinical debilities. Numerous nutraceuticals have been cited to be effective in treatment of central nervous system complications. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of Cannabis sativa L. seed oil on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Materials and Methods: Female C57bl/6 mice were assigned randomly into three groups (8 in each). Group-A received no myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), group B was immunized by MOG and treated with oil, while in group C animals were immunized and treated with normal saline. Clinical scores were recorded every other day throughout the study and after four weeks, all mice were sacrificed and spinal cords were incised for molecular and histopathological evaluations. Results: Significant differences were observed in mean clinical scores between control and experiment groups (P<0.001). Cannabinoid receptor-1 gene expression increased significantly in treatment group (P<0.001). Histopathologic evaluations also showed a significant decrease in overall infiltrated and vacuolated area and immune cells infiltration into the central nervous system in the treatment group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Cannabis sativa L. oil extract administration alleviated inflammation and paralysis in animal model. Therefore, its oil extract might be useful in soothing inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. However, additional research might be required.