Cannabidiol induces autophagy via CB1 receptor and reduces α-synuclein cytosolic levels

Numerous studies have explored the role of cannabinoids in neurological conditions, chronic pain and neurodegenerative diseases. Restoring autophagy has been proposed as a potential target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In our study, we used a neuroblastoma cell line that overexpresses wild-type α-synuclein to investigate the effects of cannabidiol on autophagy modulation and reduction in the level of cytosolic α-synuclein. Our results demonstrated that cannabidiol enhances the accumulation of LC3-II- and GFP-LC3-positive vesicles, which indicates an increase in autophagic flux. In addition, cannabidiol-treated cells showed a reduction in cytosolic α-synuclein levels. These effects were inhibited when the cells were treated with a CB₁ receptor-selective antagonist, which indicates that the biological effects of cannabidiol are mediated via its interaction with CB₁ receptor. Additionally, we also observed that cannabinoid compounds induce autophagy and α-synuclein degradation after they interact with the CB₁ receptor. In summary, our data suggest that cannabidiol induces autophagy and reduces cytosolic α-synuclein levels. These biological effects are mediated preferentially through the interaction of cannabidiol with CB₁ receptors, and therefore, cannabinoid compounds that act selectively on this receptor could represent a new approach for autophagy modulation and degradation of protein aggregates.