doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113555. Online ahead of print.
- PMID: 34450240
- DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113555
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical evidence has indicated that estrogen depletion leads to memory impairments and increases the susceptibility to neural damage. Here, we have sought to investigate the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) a non-psychotomimetic compound from Cannabis sativa, on memory deficits induced by estrogen depletion in rats, and its underlying mechanisms. Adult rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy, an established estrogen depletion model in rodents, or sham surgery and allowed to recover for three weeks. After that, they received daily injections of CBD (10 mg/kg) for fourteen days. Rats were tested in the inhibitory avoidance task, a type of emotionally-motivated memory. After behavioral testing they were euthanized, and their hippocampi were isolated for analysis of components of the Akt/GSK3β survival pathway and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl2. Results revealed that ovariectomy impaired avoidance memory, and CBD was able to completely reverse estrogen depletion-induced memory impairment. Ovariectomy also reduced Akt/GSK3β pathway’s activation by decreasing the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK3β and Bcl2 levels, which were ameliorated by CBD. The present results indicate that CBD leads to a functional recovery accompanied by the Akt/GSK3β survival pathway’s activation, supporting its potential as a treatment for estrogen decline-induced deterioration of neural functioning and maintenance.
Keywords: cannabidiol, estrogens, memory, neuroprotection, ovariectomy
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of Competing Interest JAC is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE) – National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). JAC and JEH have received travel support to attend scientific meetings and personal consultation fees from BSPG-Pharm. JAC, JEH, and AWZ are coinventors of the patent “Fluorinated CBD compounds, compositions and uses thereof. Pub. No.: WO/2014/108899. International Application No.: PCT/IL2014/050023,” Def. US number Reg. 62193296; July 29, 2015; INPI on August 19, 2015 (BR1120150164927; Mechoulam R, Zuardi AW, Kapczinski F, Hallak JEC, Guimarâes FS, Crippa JAS, Breuer A). Universidade de São Paulo (USP) has licensed this patent to Phytecs Pharm (USP Resolution No. 15.1.130002.1.1) and has an agreement with Prati-Donaduzzi to “develop a pharmaceutical product containing synthetic CBD and prove its safety and therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and anxiety disorders.” JAC, JEH, and AWZ are coinventors of the patent “Cannabinoid-containing oral pharmaceutical composition, method for preparing and using same,” INPI on September 16, 2016 (BR 112018005423-2). All the other authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
