Comparison of the in vitro Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cannabidiol to Dexamethasone

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid constituent of Cannabis sativa with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. With the emphasis on natural ingredients in cosmetics, CBD has become a new cosmetic ingredient due to its ability to alleviate inflammation. However, in-depth studies that directly compare the effective mechanism and the therapeutic potential of CBD are still needed. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of CBD in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and compare it to dexamethasone (DEX). Methods: RAW264.7 macrophages in the logarithmic growth phase were incubated in the presence or absence of LPS. After that, the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured. A luciferase reporter assay for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) was performed, and the phosphorylation levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappa B signaling pathways were measured. Results: The present study indicated that CBD had a similar anti-inflammatory effect to DEX by attenuating the LPS-induced production of NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. However, only CBD attenuated JNK phosphorylation levels, and only DEX attenuated IKK phosphorylation levels. Conclusion: These results suggested that CBD and DEX exhibit similar anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages mainly through suppressing the MAPK and NF-kappa B signaling pathways, but with different intracellular mechanisms. These findings suggested that CBD may be considered a natural anti-inflammatory agent for protecting skin from immune disorders.

Automated summary

The present study demonstrated that CBD and DEX have similar anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated macrophages, but with different intracellular mechanisms. These findings suggest that CBD can be considered as a natural anti-inflammatory agent for protecting the skin from immune disorders.