A study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research reveals that cannabidiol (CBD) has therapeutic potential for combatting intestinal fibrosis in ulcerative colitis.
For the study, researchers from Jiamusi University, Tianjin First Central Hospital, and Nankai University in China investigated the effects of CBD on in an animal model, utilizing various techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. They also conducted cell-level experiments by transfecting si-RNA into CCD-18Co cells.
The study found that CBD significantly alleviated intestinal inflammation by upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and suppressing the Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κb) pathway. This regulation reduced the release of inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Additionally, CBD demonstrated antioxidant properties by modulating the Nrf2/Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway and enhancing HO-1 activity.
CBD also exhibited anti-fibrotic effects by regulating the Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-β)/SMAD signaling pathway. This mechanism involved inhibiting TGF-β1 expression, thereby reducing markers of fibrosis such as α-SMA, Collagen1, and TIMP1. However, the protective effects of CBD were diminished when Nrf2 activity was inhibited or absent, underscoring its critical role in these processes.
“CBD affects the classical NF-κb pathway, Nrf2/ Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway by regulating Nrf2, thereby reducing colonic inflammation and oxidative stress and improving the progression of colonic fibrosis”, concludes the study.
To read the full study, click here.
