According to a new study published in the journal Neuroscience, a cannabis extract containing both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) could significantly reduce neuroinflammation and improve movement following spinal cord injury.
Conducted by researchers from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, the study highlights the therapeutic potential of cannabis in protecting nerve tissue and promoting recovery.
Spinal cord injuries often lead to severe inflammation, which worsens tissue damage and impairs mobility. For this study, researchers using an animal model investigated whether a standardized cannabis sativa extract (CSE), containing THC and CBD in equal concentrations, could counteract this process. They found that use of the extract following an acute spinal cord injury showed a significant increase in non-inflammatory microglial cells, which help protect nerve tissue, and a decrease in harmful pro-inflammatory cells. The extract also reduced the presence of reactive astrocytes, which contribute to scarring and long-term damage.
On a molecular level, CSE treatment lowered the expression of key inflammatory markers, including IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6, while increasing anti-inflammatory markers. This resulted in reduced cyst expansion and greater preservation of both gray and white matter in the spinal cord. Most notably, the treated rats demonstrated significant improvements in locomotor function, scoring higher on movement tests, maintaining better balance and coordination, and showing fewer missteps during precision walking tasks.
“These results suggest that this standardized CSE offers a promising perspective for reducing acute neuroinflammation and promoting functional recovery after SCI”, concludes the study’s researchers.
For more information on this study, click here.
