Cannabidiol arrests onset of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice

Neuropharmacology. 2008 Jan;54(1):244-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.06.029. Epub 2007 Jul 17.

Abstract

We have previously reported that cannabidiol (CBD) lowers the incidence of diabetes in young non-obese diabetes-prone (NOD) female mice. In the present study we show that administration of CBD to 11-14 week old female NOD mice, which are either in a latent diabetes stage or with initial symptoms of diabetes, ameliorates the manifestations of the disease. Diabetes was diagnosed in only 32% of the mice in the CBD-treated group, compared to 86% and 100% in the emulsifier-treated and untreated groups, respectively. In addition, the level of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-12 produced by splenocytes was significantly reduced, whereas the level of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 was significantly elevated following CBD-treatment. Histological examination of the pancreata of CBD-treated mice revealed more intact islets than in the controls. Our data strengthen our previous assumption that CBD, known to be safe in man, can possibly be used as a therapeutic agent for treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cannabidiol / therapeutic use*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Cannabidiol