History of Cannabis and Its Preparations in Saga, Science, and Sobriquet

Abstract

Cannabis sativa L. is possibly one of the oldest plants cultivated by man, but has remained a source of controversy throughout its history. Whether pariah or panacea, this most versatile botanical has provided a mirror to medicine and has pointed the way in the last two decades toward a host of medical challenges from analgesia to weight loss through the discovery of its myriad biochemical attributes and the endocannabinoid system wherein many of its components operate. This study surveys the history of cannabis, its genetics and preparations. A review of cannabis usage in Ancient Egypt will serve as an archetype, while examining first mentions from various Old World cultures and their pertinence for contemporary scientific investigation. Cannabis historians of the past have provided promising clues to potential treatments for a wide array of currently puzzling medical syndromes including chronic pain, spasticity, cancer, seizure disorders, nausea, anorexia, and infectious disease that remain challenges for 21st century medicine. Information gleaned from the history of cannabis administration in its various forms may provide useful points of departure for research into novel delivery techniques and standardization of cannabis-based medicines that will allow their prescription for treatment of these intractable medical conditions.

Genomic and Chemical Diversity inCannabis

“…Archeological evidence for hemp fiber textile production in China dates to at least as early as 6000 years ago (Li, 1973), but possibly as early as 12,000 years ago (Russo, 2011), suggesting that Cannabis was one of the first domesticated fiber plants. Archeological evidence for medicinal or shamanistic use of Cannabis has been found at Indian, central Asian, and Middle-Eastern sites (Russo, 2007), further illustrating the widespread extent of Cannabis utilization throughout the human history. A central Asian site of domestication is often cited (Schultes et al, 1974), although, genetic analyses suggest that two independent domestication events may have occurred separately (Hillig, 2005).…”

The endocannabinoid system in pain and inflammation: Its relevance to rheumatic disease

“…With both cannabinoid receptors and endogenous ligands present in inflamed human joints, targeting this system may hold therapeutic promise for both inflammatory, as well as degenerative arthritis (60). Administration of cannabinoid agonists, WIN55212 and CP55940, have shown the ability to reduce inflammatory IL-6 and interleukin-8 (IL-8) cytokine production by fibroblast like synoviocytes cells, ameliorating acute inflammation and associated pain in arthritic joints (2,63). Similarly, systemic administration of the CB2 agonist, JWH133, suppressed pain and corrected deviation in circulating pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the rat MIA model (43).…”

Che cosa so di... Il ruolo della Cannabis e dei Cannabinoidi nelle malattie del fegato: review della letteratura

“…Il clima torrido dell'India permette di raccogliere il tipo di cannabis più potente per cui, tra tutte le varietà di canapa, la sola Cannabis sativa sottospecie Indica, possiede le proprietà terapeutiche note e già sfruttate fin dall'antichità in medicina. In Europa la diffusione della cannabis risale all'Ottocento, in occasione delle campagne militari di Napoleone in Egitto (2). I primi studi sulla cannabis risalgono al 1839: O'Shaughnessy, un medico irlandese, la somministrava a soggetti affetti da varie patologie, dall'epilessia ai reumatismi, riscontrando un'efficacia anticonvulsivante, analgesica e antiemetica (3).…”