TABLE 1
Comparative pharmacology of the cannabinoids THC and CBD
Several cannabinoids are known to bind to multiple targets in the CNS and exert effects at low micromolar and nanomolar concentrations. Both Δ9-THC and CBD have shown anticonvulsant effects in preclinical models of epilepsy, as well as production of other actions such as acting as an anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective agent. The nonspecific actions of cannabinoids present a potential issue when used as a therapeutic option, as many questions about the safety and efficacy of these compounds remain unanswered.
| Cannabinoid Type | Chemical Structure | Pharmacological Actions | Potential Targets | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ∆9-Tetrahydrocannbinol (∆9-THC) |  | Anticonvulsant | CB1 partial agonist | Cascio and Pertwee (2014); Pertwee and Cascio (2014); Friedman and Devinsky (2014); |
| Euphoria | CB2 partial agonist | Blair et al. (2015) | ||
| Psychoactive | TRPA1 agonist | |||
| Analgesic | TRPV2 agonist | |||
| Cognitive modulation | TRPM8 antagonist | |||
| Reduces muscle spasms | α1βGly enhancer | |||
| Reduces nausea | 5-HT3A antagonist | |||
| Stimulates appetite | PPAR-γ activator | |||
| GPR18 agonist | ||||
| GPR55 agonist | ||||
| Cannabidiol (CBD) |  | Anticonvulsant | CB1 ligand | Cascio and Pertwee, 2014; Pertwee and Cascio, 2014; Friedman and Devinsky, 2014); |
| Analgesic | CB2 ligand | Blair et al. (2015) | ||
| Anti-inflammatory | TRPA1 agonist | |||
| Antitumorigenic | TRPV1-3 agonist | |||
| Neuroprotective | TRPV4 agonist | |||
| Reduces nausea | TRPM8 antagonist | |||
| Immune modulation | 5-HT3A antagonist | |||
| α3Gly enhancer | ||||
| GPR55 antagonist | ||||
| 5-HT1A enhancer | ||||
| PPAR-γ activator | ||||
| Adenosine reuptake inhibitor |