Čes. slov. farm. 2008, 57(5):195-207

Therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids and synthetic derivatives affecting human endocannabinoid system

J. Peč^1,*, E. Riedingerová², J. Martin¹, Z. Kršková¹, J. Dušek¹

¹ Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Pharmacognosy

² Palacký University Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine

From the pharmaceutical and medicinal point of view Cannabis sativa L. is an interesting and perspective material. It contains biologically active cannabinoids whose isolation and identification in the 1960's enabled a rapid research that has been bringing interesting results to this day. Especially revealing the human endocannabinoid system and the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids or derived synthetic compounds are the most interesting areas. The research in this field continues also toward pharmaceutical dosage forms with convenient route of administration and pharmacokinetics parameters to be used in clinical practice. Cannabinoids open completely new approaches in the treatment of many relevant human diseases and can become perspective and potential remedies. This review article deals with the effects of cannabinoids on human endocannabinoid system, their use in pharmacotherapy, their adverse effects, their interactions with other drugs and the convenient pharmaceutical dosage forms. Additional information concerning laws valid in the Czech Republic and used analytical forensic methods of cannabinoids are reviewed here as well.

Keywords: Cannabis sativa; cannabinoids; endocannabinoid system; pharmacotherapy; adverse effects; drug interactions; legislation

Grants and funding:

This work was supported by the Research Project MSM 0021620822.

Received: July 7, 2008; Accepted: July 17, 2008; Published: May 1, 2008  Show citation