4.7 Article

Intrathecal Actions of the Cannabis Constituents Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol in a Mouse Neuropathic Pain Model

Journal

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158649

Keywords

cannabinoid; neuropathic pain; THC; cannabidiol; synergy; intrathecal; mice

Funding

  1. Ernest Heine Family Foundation [ABN 29405919488]
  2. Pain Foundation [ABN 87072480123]
  3. National Health and Medical Research Council Australia [APP2002877]
  4. Australian Pain Society
  5. Australian Pain Relief Association Seqirus [1]

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Intrathecal administration of THC and CBD, either alone or in combination, effectively reduces neuropathic pain without significant side effects. The anti-allodynic effects of THC are partially mediated by CB1 and CB2 receptors, while the effects of CBD are partially mediated by CB2 receptors.
(1) Background: The psychoactive and non-psychoactive constituents of cannabis, Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), synergistically reduce allodynia in various animal models of neuropathic pain. Unfortunately, THC-containing drugs also produce substantial side-effects when administered systemically. We examined the effectiveness of targeted spinal delivery of these cannabis constituents, alone and in combination. (2) Methods: The effect of acute intrathecal drug delivery on allodynia and common cannabinoid-like side-effects was examined in a mouse chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. (3) Results: intrathecal THC and CBD produced dose-dependent reductions in mechanical and cold allodynia. In a 1:1 combination, they synergistically reduced mechanical and cold allodynia, with a two-fold increase in potency compared to their predicted additive effect. Neither THC, CBD nor combination THC:CBD produced any cannabis-like side-effects at equivalent doses. The anti-allodynic effects of THC were abolished and partly reduced by cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists AM281 and AM630, respectively. The anti-allodynic effects of CBD were partly reduced by AM630. (4) Conclusions: these findings indicate that intrathecal THC and CBD, individually and in combination, could provide a safe and effective treatment for nerve injury induced neuropathic pain.

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