Current review of hemp-based medicines in dogs.

Medical use of Cannabis (or hemp) began thousands of years ago. In the 20th century, mechanisms of action were demonstrated with the discovery of its active substances, the phytocannabinoids, and its pharmacological targets, the endocannabinoid system. This system is composed of receptors, endogenous substances, and enzymes, and it participates in the modulation of physiological mechanisms in several species, including dogs. Studies indicate that changes in this system may contribute to the genesis of some diseases. Therefore, the use of substances that act on its components may help in the treatment of these diseases. The main phytocannabinoids described are Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In humans, the benefits of using CBD in several diseases have been demonstrated. The popularization of this type of treatment has also reached veterinary medicine, which on one hand was related to an increase in adverse event records, but on the other also allowed reports of anecdotal evidences of its effectiveness and safety in animals. Clinical studies published so far indicate that the use of CBD in dogs can be safe at given doses and can contribute to osteoarthritis and idiopathic epilepsy treatments. Clinical and pre-clinical studies and case reports were reviewed in this report to identify the main characteristics of hemp-based therapies in dogs, including its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy in the treatment of diseases.

Cannabidiol Attenuates In Vivo Leukocyte Recruitment to the Spinal Cord Microvasculature at Peak Disease of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by neuroinflammation leading to demyelination. The associated symptoms lead to a devastating decrease in quality of life. The cannabinoids and their derivatives have emerged as an encouraging alternative due to their management of symptom in MS. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanism of action of cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, on molecular and cellular events associated with leukocyte recruitment induced by experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were randomly assigned to the four experimental groups: C (control group), CBD (cannabidiol-treated group, 5 mg/kg i.p.; 14 days), EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis-induced group), and EAE+CBD (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis-induced plus cannabidiol-treated group). Results: The results indicated that 5 mg/kg of CBD injected intraperitoneally between the 1st and 14th days of EAE could reduce the leukocyte rolling and adhesion into the spinal cord microvasculature as well cellular tissue infiltration. These results were supported by a decreased mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the spinal cord. Conclusion: Purified CBD reduces in vivo VCAM and ICAM-mediated leukocyte recruitment to the spinal cord microvasculature at EAE peak disease.