A new study in Frontiers in Pharmacology finds that cannabis extracts deliver strong pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects across several preclinical models.
Researchers prepared a crude ethanolic extract from the aerial parts of the plant, which chemical analysis confirmed contained cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabigerol (CBG), along with flavonoids and alkaloids. The extract was then tested on Swiss mice and Wistar rats using a variety of models measuring pain, inflammation, fever, and primary dysmenorrhea.
The findings showed clear antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity. In an abdominal contraction model, the extract reduced writhing at 10 mg/kg, while in the hot plate test, all three tested doses (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) significantly increased pain latency times. During the formalin test, reductions were observed in paw-licking behavior during the first phase, indicating analgesic activity. Anti-inflammatory effects were also seen, as the extract restricted paw edema volume at lower doses. Importantly, in the dysmenorrhea model, doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg significantly reduced abdominal contractions, pointing to potential benefits for menstrual pain.
The study noted that the extract did not produce antipyretic effects in the fever model. However, overall results suggest that cannabis extracts could be effective in reducing pain, inflammation, and dysmenorrhea symptoms, warranting further investigation into their therapeutic applications.
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