A study published in the latest issue of the journal Pharmaceutics indicates that cannabinoids may be useful in treating periodontal disease.
CBD tincture.
Titled The Role of Different Types of Cannabinoids in Periodontal Disease: An Integrative Review, the study explores the involvement of cannabinoid receptors in both healthy and inflamed periodontal tissues. In addition to the journal Pharmaceutics, the study was published online by the National Library of Medicine.
The review reveals that healthy periodontal cells express higher levels of CB1 receptors, while inflamed sites show an increase in CB2 receptors. This dynamic expression suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ES) may play a crucial role in the inflammatory response associated with periodontal disease (PD).
Cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinoid receptor agonists (meant to mimic the effects of cannabinoids) such as HU-308, anandamide (AEA), and methanamide (Meta-AEA), have shown promising therapeutic potential in various studies, notes the study’s researchers. CBD, for example, has been linked to controlling bone resorption, exhibiting antibacterial activity, and enhancing the production of gingival fibroblasts, all of which are crucial in mitigating PD progression.
“HU-308 demonstrated preventive effects against alveolar bone loss, and anti-inflammatory, osteoprotective, and pro-homeostatic properties in animal models of periodontitis”, states the study. “AEA and Meta-AEA have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α.”
The study notes that “The activation of cannabinoid receptors attenuates inflammatory processes, inhibits alveolar bone loss, exerts antibacterial effects, and promotes tissue repair.”
Researchers state that “clinical trials are especially needed to validate these results and explore the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of PD in humans.”
