The endocannabinoid system was fully elucidated in the 90’s and it is one of the most important regulatory signaling pathways in vertebrates. Cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and several enzymes are part of this complex system, which is responsible for controlling diverse physiological processes in the nervous, cardiac, endocrine, renal, immunological, and other systems.
In the last years, the concept of endocannabinoidome, or expanded endocannabinoid system, has emerged to comprise the large diversity of mediators, alternative metabolic processes, and other signaling pathways that can be modulated by endocannabinoid-related compounds. Therefore, the endocannabinoidome could be considered a valuable target for the treatment of many pathological processes due to its involvement in these conditions.
Considering all possible mechanisms for endocannabinoidome modulation, special attention is given to cannabinoids, which are substances capable of interacting with either receptors or other components of this system. Thus, scientific and medical efforts have sought to introduce synthetic and natural cannabinoids into clinical practice in order to improve patient's welfare.
One of the first descriptions of Cannabis sativa use as a therapeutic strategy date back to Ancient China, more than 5000 years ago. In the following centuries, this plant spread globally and not only became part of religious rituals but also continued to be studied by scientists and physicians due to its medical properties.
The main plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids), cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which are extracted from Cannabis sativa, had their chemical structures elucidated in the late 80’s. This was the first step toward investigating their biological targets and pharmacological properties.
Since the 20th century, several studies have focused on the safety and efficacy of both CBD and THC for the treatment of pathologies, such as epilepsy, chronic pain, spasticity, and others. Especially during the last ten years, cannabis-derived products have been used in different clinical approaches, and some of these products have been classified as medicines in some countries. However, there is still controversy in terms of the therapeutic use of these substances and their real benefits to medical treatments.
Altogether, the objective of this Research Topic is to present studies involving the use of basic, translational and clinical research tools in terms of endocannabinoidome modulation by phytocannabinoids and cannabis-based products in order to elucidate physiological features and therapeutic benefits of their application in pathological scenarios.
The endocannabinoid system was fully elucidated in the 90’s and it is one of the most important regulatory signaling pathways in vertebrates. Cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and several enzymes are part of this complex system, which is responsible for controlling diverse physiological processes in the nervous, cardiac, endocrine, renal, immunological, and other systems.
In the last years, the concept of endocannabinoidome, or expanded endocannabinoid system, has emerged to comprise the large diversity of mediators, alternative metabolic processes, and other signaling pathways that can be modulated by endocannabinoid-related compounds. Therefore, the endocannabinoidome could be considered a valuable target for the treatment of many pathological processes due to its involvement in these conditions.
Considering all possible mechanisms for endocannabinoidome modulation, special attention is given to cannabinoids, which are substances capable of interacting with either receptors or other components of this system. Thus, scientific and medical efforts have sought to introduce synthetic and natural cannabinoids into clinical practice in order to improve patient's welfare.
One of the first descriptions of Cannabis sativa use as a therapeutic strategy date back to Ancient China, more than 5000 years ago. In the following centuries, this plant spread globally and not only became part of religious rituals but also continued to be studied by scientists and physicians due to its medical properties.
The main plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids), cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which are extracted from Cannabis sativa, had their chemical structures elucidated in the late 80’s. This was the first step toward investigating their biological targets and pharmacological properties.
Since the 20th century, several studies have focused on the safety and efficacy of both CBD and THC for the treatment of pathologies, such as epilepsy, chronic pain, spasticity, and others. Especially during the last ten years, cannabis-derived products have been used in different clinical approaches, and some of these products have been classified as medicines in some countries. However, there is still controversy in terms of the therapeutic use of these substances and their real benefits to medical treatments.
Altogether, the objective of this Research Topic is to present studies involving the use of basic, translational and clinical research tools in terms of endocannabinoidome modulation by phytocannabinoids and cannabis-based products in order to elucidate physiological features and therapeutic benefits of their application in pathological scenarios.