Introduction
Phytocannabinoids are produced in Cannabis sativa L. in acidic form and are decarboxylated upon heating, processing, and storage. While the biological effects of decarboxylated cannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol have been extensively investigated, the bioactivity of Δ9-tetahydrocannabinol acid (Δ9-THCA) is largely unknown, despite its occurrence in different cannabis preparations. Here we have assessed possible neuroprotective actions of Δ9-THCA through modulation of PPARγ pathways. The effects of six phytocannabinoids on PPARγ binding and transcriptional activity were investigated. The effect of Δ9-THCA on mitochondrial biogenesis and PPARγ coactivator 1-α expression was investigated in Neuro-2a (N2a) cells. The neuroprotective effect was analysed in STHdhQ111/Q111 cells expressing a mutated form of the huntingtin protein and in N2a cells infected with an adenovirus carrying human huntingtin containing 94 polyQ repeats (mHtt-q94). The in vivo neuroprotective activity of Δ9-THCA was investigated in mice intoxicated with the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA).
Material and méthods
Δ9-THC and Δ9-THCA were purified from the Cannabis variety MONIEK (CPVO/20160114) and CBDA was purified from the variety SARA (CPVO/20150098) using a Counter Current Chromatography following a Phytoplant Patent method: “Methods of purifying cannabinoids using liquid: liquid chromatography” with code 10207199 B2. CBD was also purified from SARA variety and CBG and CBGA from the variety AÍDA (CPVO/20160167) following a patented method described in the Phytoplant Patents: “Methods of purifying cannabinoids, compositions and kits thereof” with code 9765000 B2. All the cannabinoids have a purity > 95%. CANNA products were used for the cultivation of all varieties.
Results
Cannabinoid acids bind and activate PPARγ with higher potency than their decarboxylated products. Δ9-THCA increased mitochondrial mass in neuroblastoma N2a cells and prevented cytotoxicity induced by serum deprivation in STHdhQ111/Q111 cells and by mutHtt-q94 in N2a cells. Δ9-THCA, through a PPARγ-dependent pathway, was neuroprotective in mice treated with 3-NPA, improving motor deficits and preventing striatal degeneration. In addition, Δ9-THCA attenuated microgliosis, astrogliosis and up-regulation of proinflammatory markers induced by 3-NPA.
Discusion
Δ9-THCA shows potent neuroprotective activity, which is worth considering for the treatment of Huntington's disease and possibly other neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.
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