DMH-CBD, a cannabidiol analog with reduced cytotoxicity, inhibits TNF production by targeting NF-kB activity dependent on A2A receptor.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound with psychoactive therapeutic properties well described. Conversely, the immunological effects of CBD are still poorly explored. In this study, the potential anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of CBD and its analog Dimethyl-Heptyl-Cannabidiol (DMH-CBD) were investigated using RAW 264.7 macrophages. CBD and DMH-CBD suppressed LPS-induced TNF production and NF-kB activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Both compounds reduced the NF-kB activity in a µM concentration range: CBD (IC50 = 15 µM) and DMH-CBD (IC50 = 38 µM). However, the concentrations of CBD that mediated NF-kB inhibition were similar to those that cause cytotoxicity (LC50 = 58 µM). Differently, DMH-CBD inhibited the NF-kB activation without cytotoxic effects at the same concentrations, although it provokes cytotoxicity at long-term exposure. The inhibitory action of the DMH-CBD on NF-kB activity was not related to the reduction in IkBα degradation or either p65 (NF-kB) translocation to the nucleus, although it decreased p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation. Additionally, 8-(3-Chlorostyryl) caffeine (CSC), an A2A antagonist, reversed the effect of DMH-CBD on NF-kB activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Collectively, our results demonstrated that CBD reduces NF-kB activity at concentrations intimately associated with those that cause cell death, whereas DMH-CBD decreases NF-kB activity at non-toxic concentrations in an A2A receptor dependent-manner.

The wakefulness promoting drug Modafinil causes adenosine receptor-mediated upregulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand in osteoblasts: Negative impact of the drug on peak bone accrual in rats.

Modafinil is primarily prescribed for treatment of narcolepsy and other sleep-associated disorders. However, its off-prescription use as a cognition enhancer increased considerably, specially among youths. Given its increasing use in young adults the effect of modafinil on peak bone accrual is an important issue but has never been investigated. Modafinil treatment to young male rats caused trabecular and cortical bone loss in tibia and femur, and reduction in biomechanical strength. Co-treatment of modafinil with alendronate (a drug that suppresses bone resorption) reversed the trabecular bone loss but failed to prevent cortical loss. Modafinil increased serum type 1 pro-collagen N-terminal protein (P1NP) and collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX-1) indicating a high turnover bone loss. The drug also increased receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) to osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio in serum which likely resulted in increased osteoclast number per bone surface. Furthermore, conditioned medium from modafinil treated osteoblasts increased the expression of osteoclastogenic genes in bone marrow-derived macrophages and the effect was blocked by RANKL neutralizing antibody. In primary osteoblasts, modafinil stimulated cAMP production and using pharmacological approach, we showed that modafinil signalled via adenosine receptors (A2AR and A2BR) which resulted in increased RANKL expression. ZM-241,385 (an A2AR inhibitor) and MRS 1754 (an A2BR inhibitor) suppressed modafinil-induced upregulation of RANKL/OPG ratio in the calvarium of new born rat pups. Our data suggests that by activating osteoblast adenosine receptors modafinil increases the production of osteoclastogenic cytokine, RANKL that in turn results in high turnover bone loss in young rats.