Cannabidiol reduces withdrawal symptoms in nicotine-dependent rats

Abstract

Rationale: Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces craving in animal models of alcohol and cocaine seeking and is known to modulate nicotinic receptor function, suggesting that it may alleviate symptoms of nicotine withdrawal; however, preclinical evaluation of its efficacy is still lacking. Objectives:The goal of this study was to test the preclinical efficacy of a chronic CBD treatment in reducing nicotine dependence using measures of withdrawal symptoms including somatic signs, hyperalgesia, and weight gain during acute and protracted abstinence.Methods: Male and female Wistar rats were made dependent on nicotine using osmotic minipumps (3.15 mg/kg/day) for two weeks, after which minipumps were removed to induce spontaneous withdrawal. Three groups received CBD injections at doses of 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg/day for two weeks, starting one week into chronic nicotine infusion. The control groups included rats with nicotine minipumps that received vehicle injections of sesame oil instead of CBD; rats implanted with saline minipumps that received sesame oil injections (double vehicle) or the highest dose of CBD 30mg/kg/day. Throughout the experiment, serum was collected for determination of CBD and nicotine concentrations, mechanical sensitivity threshold and withdrawal scores were measured, and body weight was recorded.Results: CBD prevented rats from exhibiting somatic signs of withdrawal and hyperalgesia during acute and protracted abstinence. There was no dose-response observed for CBD, suggesting a ceiling effect at the doses used and the potential for lower effective doses of CBD.The saline minipump group did not show either somatic signs of withdrawal or hyperalgesia during acute and protracted abstinence, and the highest dose of CBD used (30mg/kg/day) did not alter these results. 3Conclusions: This preclinical study suggests that using CBD as a strategy to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms upon nicotine-cessation may be beneficial.

New Insights in the Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System and Natural Cannabinoids in Nicotine Dependence

“…On the other hand, CBD is also involved in the modulation of nicotine physical dependence. CBD prevented rats from exhibiting somatic signs of withdrawal and hyperalgesia during acute and protracted abstinence [ 169 ], suggesting that using CBD as a strategy to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms upon nicotine cessation may be beneficial.…”

CBD‐mediated regulation of heroin withdrawal‐induced behavioural and molecular changes in mice

“…21 In addition, another recent study also showed that the repeated administration of CBD (30 mgÁkg À1 ) did not alter the somatic signs of withdrawal in the group treated with saline. 27 Thus, it is tempting to hypothesize that in the context of the present model, vehicle-treated mice might show a similar behavioural profile accounting for the CBD-mediated specific actions under spontaneous heroin withdrawal conditions.…”

Tabagismo Na Pandemia De Covid-19: Aspectos Neurobiológicos Do Abuso De Drogas Em Condições De Estresse Prolongado

“…Alguns sintomas de abstinência ao cigarro podem ser descritos, tais como: depressão, ansiedade, irritabilidade, dificuldade de concentração, fissura, bradicardia, insônia, desconforto gastrointestinal e ganho de peso (MCLAUGHLIN; DANI; DE BIASI, 2015;SMITH et al, 2021). Ratos e camundongos exibem os sintomas de retirada da nicotina, como os humanos, incluindo os sintomas somáticos e os efeitos negativos (WATKINS;MARKOU, 2000).…”