Cannabidiol (CBD) Inhibits Foam Cell Formation via Regulating Cholesterol Homeostasis and Lipid Metabolism

Scope: The cannabidiol (CBD) in hemp oil has important pharmacological activities. Accumulating evidence suggests that CBD is beneficial in the cardiovascular system and has been applied as a health supplement for atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism remains unclear.

Methods and results: This study investigates the impact of CBD on foam cell formation, cholesterol homeostasis, and lipid metabolism in macrophages. CBD elevates the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and its associated targets, such as ATP binding transporter A1/G1 (ABCA1/ABCG1), thus reducing foam cell formation, and increasing cholesterol efflux within macrophages. Notably, the upregulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression induced by CBD is found to be attenuated by both a PPARγ inhibitor and PPARγ small interfering RNA (siRNA). Moreover, transfection of PPARγ siRNA results in a decrease in the inhibitory effect of CBD on foam cell formation and promotion of cholesterol efflux. Through lipidomics analysis, the study finds that CBD significantly reverses the enhancement of ceramide (Cer). Correlation analysis indicates a negative association between Cer level and the expression of ABCA1/ABCG1.

Conclusion: This study confirms that CBD can be an effective therapeutic candidate for atherosclerosis treatment by activating PPARγ, up-regulating ABCA1/ABCG1 expression, and down-regulating Cer level.