2022 - A nutraceutical product, extracted from Cannabis sativa, modulates voltage-gated sodium channel function
Patchliner publication in Journal of Cannabis Research (2022)
Authors:
Milligan C.J., Anderson L.L., Bowen M.T., Banister S.D., McGregor I.S., Arnold J.C., Petrou S.
Journal:
Journal of Cannabis Research (2022) doi:10.1186/s42238-022-00136-x
Abstract:
Purified cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, has gained regulatory approval to treat intractable childhood epilepsies. Despite this, artisanal and commercial CBD-dominant hemp-based products continue to be used by epilepsy patients. Notably, the CBD doses used in these latter products are much lower than that found to be effective in reducing seizures in clinical trials with purified CBD. This might be because these CBD-dominant hemp products contain other bioactive compounds, including phytocannabinoids and terpenes, which may exert unique effects on epilepsy-relevant drug targets. Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are vital for initiation of neuronal action potential propagation and genetic mutations in these channels result in epilepsy phenotypes. Recent studies suggest that NaV channels are inhibited by purified CBD. However, the effect of cannabis-based products on the function of NaV channels is unknown.
