Maternal administration of cannabidiol promotes an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal wall in a gastroschisis rat model

Abstract

Gastroschisis (GS) is an abdominal wall defect that results in histological and morphological changes leading to intestinal motility perturbation and impaired absorption of nutrients. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, cannabidiol (CBD) has been used as a therapeutic agent in many diseases. Our aim was to test the effect of maternal CBD in the intestine of an experimental model of GS. Pregnant rats were treated over 3 days with CBD (30 mg/kg) after the surgical induction of GS (day 18.5 of gestation) and compared to controls. Fetuses were divided into 4 groups: 1) control (C); 2) C+CBD (CCBD); 3) gastroschisis (G), and 4) G+CBD (GCBD). On day 21.5 of gestation, the fetuses were harvested and evaluated for: a) body weight (BW), intestinal weight (IW), and IW/BW ratio; b) histometric analysis of the intestinal wall; c) immunohistochemically analysis of inflammation (iNOS) and nitrite/nitrate level. BW: GCBD was lower than CCBD (P<0.005), IW and IW/BW ratio: GCBD was smaller than G (P<0.005), GCBD presented lower thickness in all parameters compared to G (P<0.005), iNOS and nitrite/nitrate were lower concentration in GCBD than to G (P<0.005). Maternal use of CBD had a beneficial effect on the intestinal loops of GS with decreased nitrite/nitrate and iNOS expression.

Translational Investigation of the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD): Toward a New Age

“…To take part in the frontline of research in these new areas, Brazilian groups articulated to create the National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development ( CNPq ) ( 146 ). As a result of this network, we contributed with further evidence on the actions of CBD as a neuroprotector ( 147 ), an anti-inflammatory ( 148 , 149 ), and a drug able to increase sleep periods ( 150 ), among other properties ( 151 – 157 ).…”

Cannabidiol on 5‐FU‐induced oral mucositis in mice

“…The effects of the administration of different concentrations of CBD were evaluated to establish a dose-response relationship, since the literature does not provide a consensus on the ideal dose for anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action. In previous studies, the doses tested varied from 1 to 30 mg, but none of them stood out as advantageous in relation to the others in this study (Aviello et al, 2012;Callejas et al, 2018;Cassol-Jr et al, 2010;Chen et al, 2016;Elbaz et al, 2015;Klein et al, 2018;Napimoga et al, 2009;Pan et al, 2009;Yang et al, 2014).…”

“…The anti-emetic action of this compound has been reported by several authors and related to the indirect activation of receptors associated with these stimuli (Rock et al, 2012;Rock & Parker, 2015). In a recent study published by Callejas et al, where the anti-inflammatory potential of CBD in rat intestinal disease was tested, the authors demonstrated a significant increase in body weight in the group treated with CBD compared with the others due to the reversal of the inflammatory process present (Callejas et al, 2018).…”

Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa’s pharmacological properties and health effects: A scoping review of current evidence

“…10% hempseed diet was able to reduce Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels in hypercholesteraemic rats [ 71 ] while CBD purified from hemp demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities in a gastrochisis rat model [ 70 ]. In human polymorphonuclear cells, standardised extract containing 5% CBD, <0.2% THC and 95% cannabis vegetal complex matrix demonstrated dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects via suppression of polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and TNF-α production [ 72 ].…”