RESUMO
There is a growing surge of investigative research involving the beneficial use of cannabinoids as novel interventional alternatives for multiple sclerosis (MS) and associated neuropathic pain (NPP). Using an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model of MS, we demonstrate the therapeutic effectiveness of two cannabinoid oil extract formulations (10:10 & 1:20 - tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol) treatment. Our research findings confirm that cannabinoid treatment produces significant improvements in neurological disability scoring and behavioral assessments of NPP that directly result from their ability to reduce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production and enhance brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production. Henceforth, this research represents a critical step in advancing the literature by scientifically validating the merit for medical cannabinoid use and sets the foundation for future clinical trials.
Assuntos
Canabinoides/administração & dosagem , Canabinoides/uso terapêutico , Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Esclerose Múltipla/tratamento farmacológico , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Óleos de Plantas/uso terapêutico , Animais , Comportamento Animal , Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Encéfalo/genética , Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Encéfalo/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Composição de Medicamentos , Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental/genética , Feminino , Esclerose Múltipla/genética , Neuralgia/tratamento farmacológico , Ratos Endogâmicos Lew , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
Liquiritigenin is a chiral flavonoid present in licorice and other medicinal plants. The nature of its biological fate with respect to the individual enantiomers has not been examined. In this study, we characterize, for the first time, the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of liquiritigenin. Liquiritigenin was intravenously (20 mg/kg) and orally (50 mg/kg) administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4 per route of administration). Concentrations in serum and urine were characterized via stereospecific reversed-phase, isocratic HPLC method with UV detection. Serum concentrations were quantified but rapidly fell to undetectable levels. S-liquiritigenin showed a short half-life (0.25-0.54 h), while a better estimation of half-life (26-77 h) and other pharmacokinetic parameters was observed using urinary data. The flavonoid is predominantly excreted via non-renal routes (fe values of 0.16-3.46 %), and undergoes rapid and extensive phase II metabolism. Chiral differences in the chemical structure of the compound result in some pharmacokinetic differences. Serum concentrations rapidly declined, making modeling difficult. S-liquiritigenin showed an increased urinary half-life.