Acute and chronic cannabinoid extracts administration affects motor function in a CREAE model of multiple sclerosis

Aim of the studyThe multiple sclerosis is an immuno-mediated disorder of the Central Nervous System characterized by inflammatory processes and neurodegenerative changes. It has been shown that the endocannabinoid system is altered in this disease and that the exogenous cannabinoids may play a possible role in its therapeutic management. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of crude extracts of Cannabis sativa on motor symptoms in the chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (CREAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis.Materials and methodsCREAE-induced mice were injected by different crude ethanolic extracts from Cannabis sativa, containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, or cannabinoid-free, respectively. The effect of the combined treatment with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol extracts has also been investigated. All extracts were administered in acute and chronic experimental protocols.ResultsThe chronic administration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-rich extract resulted in a significant reduction of neurological deficits that lasted until the end of the observations. The acute and chronic treatments with the cannabidiol-rich extract resulted unable to induce changes of neurological signs. However, during the relapse phase a significant decrease of neurological scores was observed. The combined treatment with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol extracts was ineffective, whereas the acute administration of the cannabinoid-free extract showed a significant improvement.ConclusionsOur study shows a patchy effect of different cannabinoid extracts on CREAE-induced motor deficits. Although the effect of crude extracts of Cannabis sativa here reported need to be further investigated to define the exact therapeutic target of each cannabinoid, it may represent a possible therapeutic approach for the management of the multiple sclerosis.

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