Cannabinoid Receptors and Their Relationships with Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Cannabinoids are the costituents of the marijuana plants. The central effects ofexogenous cannabinoids are implicated in enhancing mood, altering emotional states, and interfering in the formation of short-term memory. Cannabinoid receptors are G protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane domains that are expressed on the cell surface with their binding domain exposed to the extracellular space. To date, two cannabinoid receptors have been cloned, CBI and CB2. Recent evidence suggests that a third 'CB3' receptor may be cloned in the near future. The endocannabinoids may represent the first members of a new classes of neuromodulators, that are not stored in cell vesicles, but rather synthesised by the cell on demand. The endogenous cannabinoid system could playa central role in several neuropsychiatric disorders and is also involved in other conditions such as pain, spasticity and neuroprotection. Implication of cannabinoid system in the pathogenesis and development of schizophrenia is also discussed.

Inhibitory effect of quercetin on tryptase and interleukin-6 release, and histidine decarboxylase mRNA transcription by human mast cell-1 cell line

“…Quercetin might have such modulating properties on mast cells: as mast cell secretion products have some effects that promote and others that suppress inflammation, quercetin may reduce the release of pro-inflammatory mediators or even favour the release of anti-inflammatory ones. The inhibition of HDC mRNA transcription and tryptase and IL-6 generation by quercetin on mast cells may be useful in many pathological conditions associated with a chronic inflammation status such as MS, AD, cancer and allergies [46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56].…”

The Endocannabinoid System as an Emerging Target of Pharmacotherapy

“…Mental Disorders. The well-known psychotropic effects of cannabinoids and the distribution of cannabinoid receptors across important emotional circuits in the brain suggest that the endocannabinoid system may be involved in various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and mood disorders (reviewed in van der Stelt and Hall et al, 2004;Leweke et al, 2004;Manzanares et al, 2004;Ujike and Morita, 2004;Ashton et al, 2005;Gambi et al, 2005;Semple et al, 2005;Vinod and Hungund, 2005).…”

Inhibitory Effect of Quercetin on Tryptase and MCP-1 Chemokine Release, and Histidine Decarboxylase mRNA Transcription by Human Mast Cell-1 Cell Line

“…Quercetin might have a modulating property on mast cells in secreting effector molecules at different kinetics and magnitudes, depending on environmental factors. It is a good candidate for reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators [60][61][62][63][64][65] ; however, we do not know yet how many inflammatory compounds it can inhibit, since quercetin in this study inhibited both the physiological (anti-IgE) and not physiological (A23187) secretagogue; we certainly can consider quercetin an aspecific inhibitory compound.…”