Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to a range of symptoms that can vary in severity over time. These symptoms include mobility issues, vision problems, pain or muscle spasms, cognitive impairment, and fatigue. The exact cause of MS is still unknown, but studies have shown that antigen-specific T cells crossing the blood-brain barrier trigger neuroinflammation, leading to the destruction of myelinated neuronal cells and resulting in paralysis.
Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects against autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis and Alzheimer’s disease. Given the limited understanding of MS etiology, researchers have hypothesized that medicinal CBD could also benefit MS patients. Medications such as Sativex, which contains CBD and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can now be prescribed to MS patients who do not find relief from traditional pharmaceuticals.
Clinical studies have shown that patients receiving Sativex report improved quality of life and lower spasticity compared to before starting CBD oil treatment. However, the exact mechanism through which CBD interacts with the underlying causes of MS remains unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, recent research from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine investigated the biochemical mechanisms through which CBD inhibits MS-like symptoms.
In this study, female mice were induced with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model for MS. They were then treated with either CBD or a control vehicle once symptoms appeared. The progression of the disease was tracked using clinical scores associated with different symptom expressions. The results showed that mice treated with CBD experienced a slower onset of symptoms and had lower clinical scores compared to those in the control group.
Further investigations focused on the effect of CBD on cytokines and transcription factors known to play a role in triggering MS symptoms. The study found that CBD treatment reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors while promoting the production of an anti-inflammatory cytokine called IL-10.
Additionally, the researchers explored the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in suppressing neuroinflammation and affecting T cell function. They discovered that CBD treatment led to higher counts of MDSCs in the peritoneal cavity but not in the central nervous system. This suggests that CBD-induced MDSCs inhibit T cell induction in secondary lymphoid organs, preventing T cells from proliferating and causing clinical disease. Furthermore, MDSCs are known to produce IL-10, adding another layer to CBD’s potential anti-inflammatory effects.
The research concludes that CBD may be an excellent candidate for treating MS and other autoimmune diseases due to its ability to modulate cytokines, transcription factors, and MDSCs. Further studies on MDSC manipulation by cannabinoid-based drugs could lead to the development of novel treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying CBD’s potential therapeutic effects on MS symptoms. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge in cannabis science and offers hope for more effective treatments for autoimmune diseases in the future.
