Affiliation:
1. Department of Toxicology and Narcotics, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Tahrir Street, Cairo, EGYPT
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug worldwide. Evidence indicated negative impact for cannabis on the brain. Animal research and in vitro studies using delta-9-THC (THC) or cannabis extracts with high THC content provided evidence for a detrimental effect on neuronal integrity with DNA damage, cell shrinkage, atrophy and apoptosis. The mechanisms by which herbal cannabis affects brain structure and function are not clear but impaired mitochondrial functioning, reduced glucose availability and inhibition of brain energetic metabolism by cannabis have been shown. Clinical studies investigating the effects of cannabis in humans found raised serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in chronic cannabis users. Human studies also indicated increased oxidative stress biomarkers and reduced antioxidants in blood of chronic cannabis users. Preclinical data on the effect of cannabis or THC on oxidative stress, however, were less conclusive in that cannabis might increase or attenuate oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence from animal and clinical studies pertaining to the toxic effects of cannabis and its main psychoactive ingredient THC on the brain and possible mechanisms involved.
Publisher
World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS)
Reference97 articles.
1. World Drug Report 2020 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.20.XI.6). https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-andanalysis/wdr2021.html.
2. ElShohly MA. Chemical constituents of cannabis. In: Cannabis and cannabinoids. Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Potential (Grotenhermen F, Russo E, eds). Haworth Press Inc, New York, 2002, pp. 27- 36.
3. Brenneisen R. Chemistry and analysis of phytocannabinoids and other cannabis constituents. In: Forensic Science and Medicine: Marijuana and the Cannabinoids (ElSohly MA, ed). Humana,:Totowa, 2006; pp. 17–49.
4. Radwan MM, ElSohly MA, El-Alfy AT, Ahmed SA, Slade D, Husni AS. et al. Isolation and Pharmacological evaluation of minor cannabinoids from high-potency Cannabis sativa. Journal of Natural Products 2015; 78(6): 1271-6.
5. Mechoulam R, Gaoni Y. The absolute configuration of delta-1-tetrahydrocannabinol, the major active constituent of hashish. Tetrahedron Letters 1967,12,1109-11.
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献，注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献，订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献