Immunopharmacology. 1994 Nov-Dec;28(3):209-14.
Suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by cannabinoids.
Abstract
The effect of delta 8-THC on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was examined. delta 8-THC is an analogue of delta 9-THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. It is more stable and less psychotropic than delta 9-THC and like the latter it binds to the brain cannabinoid receptor. Two strains of rats were inoculated for EAE, and delta 8-THC (40 mg/kg) was administered for up to 21 days. delta 8-THC significantly reduced the incidence and severity of neurological deficit in both rat strains. The beneficial influence of delta 8-THC only occurred on oral administration and not with parenteral injection. Serum corticosterone levels were twofold elevated in rats with EAE chronically treated with delta 8-THC. These results suggest that suppression of EAE bycannabinoids may be related to their effect on corticosterone secretion.
- PMID:
- 7852052
- [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Publication Types, MeSH Terms, Substances
Publication Types
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Corticosterone/blood
- Dronabinol/administration & dosage
- Dronabinol/analogs & derivatives*
- Dronabinol/pharmacology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/blood
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/drug therapy
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/prevention & control*
- Female
- Injections, Intraperitoneal
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Lew