Cannabis compound against intestinal inflammation: Researchers at Freie Universität Berlin Decode Effect of Cannabidiol
The mode of action, published in Materials Today Bio, provides valuable insights into cellular processes that can be used, for example, in the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases
Image Credit: Prof. Salah Amasheh
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There is still a great need for research into the effect of the ingredients on the body in the wake of the legalization of cannabis. For the non-psychoactive cannabidiol, it has now been shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties that promote intestinal health. Researchers at Freie Universität Berlin have analyzed this at the molecular level and present their findings in the journal Materials Today Bio.
News from Oct 06, 2023
A few days ago, the research group “Epithelial Barrier” of Freie Universität Berlin presented its current results at the annual meeting of the German Physiological Society in Berlin, and now the results have been published in the high-ranking journal “Materials Today Bio”: Cannabidiol, one of the main active ingredients of the cannabis plant, inhibits the inflammatory reactions taking place in cells by down-regulating disease-associated receptors and at the same time strengthening the natural, sealing protective function of body surfaces. This results in a variety of therapeutic and health-promoting aspects that open up new medical applications. The mechanism of action published in "Materials Today Bio" thus provides valuable insights into cellular processes that can be used, for example, in the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases, but also for general health-promoting purposes.
“A use of cannabidiol is certainly of great interest due to its anti-inflammatory and intestinal health-promoting properties, not only with regard to the current discussion about cannabis ingredients,” says Prof. Salah Amasheh, biologist and working group leader at the Institute of Veterinary Physiology at Freie Universität Berlin. Beyond the question of basic effects, the current publication sheds light on essential aspects of the effects of cannabidiol at the molecular level.
The mechanism of action now demonstrated within the framework of a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) raises hopes for a wide range of applications for a medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years. Molecular-functional analyses of other constituents of the plant are currently in progress.
Further information
About the study: The study was conducted within the framework of the DFG grant AM141/11-2 by the research group of Prof. Dr. Salah Amasheh.
Literature: Elisa Boehm et al (2023): Cannabidiol attenuates inflammatory impairment of intestinal cells expanding biomaterial-based therapeutic approaches, in: Mater. Today Bio, https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S2590-0064(23)00268-5
Contact: Prof. Dr. Salah Amasheh, Freie Universität Berlin, Research Group Leader, Institute of Veterinary Physiology, e-mail: salah.amasheh@fu-berlin.de