Neuropathies and the use of cannabinoids as a therapeutic strategy
Neuropatias e o uso de canabinoides como estratégia terapêutica
Helena Wohlers Sabo; Ana Gabriela Baptista
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of painful neuropathy is around 7%-10% in the entire population, also, it may have different histories and require integrated care. Challenges for patient care are concerning, most of them have not achieved satisfactory results with drugs for pain management, which are often disabling, in addition to associated comorbidities such as sleep disorders and mood swings. Most of the drugs currently being used for neuropathic pain (NP) have several adverse effects, which hinders adherence to treatment and makes it impossible to reach the doses that would be indicated for proper management. Given this scenario, studies are being done aiming at the endocannabinoid system present in the human body with the ability to modulate pain, sleep, and mood disorders, among other benefits. Drugs such as phytocannabinoids, mainly the molecules cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), have been studied with significant potential for the treatment of painful neuropathy. This review aimed to describe the probable mechanisms of action of cannabinoids in NP and the results obtained so far with the use of these molecules.
CONTENTS: This study is a narrative review of the literature. Data were analyzed using the databases National Library of Medicine (NCBI), Academic Google, Medline and scientific database configurations by LILACS and Web of Science in a temporal search between 2004 and 2022. A total of 45 articles were counted.
CONCLUSION: THC modulates opioid effects in neuropathic pain. This is associated with a pharmacokinetic effect and has also been demonstrated by brain imaging. This significant performance can be associated with specific target sites and primary actors regarding Δ-9-THC and its binding to receptors associated with analgesia. Also, further studies with this component or associated with small cannabinoid variations are necessary to certify its role in neuropathic pain.
Keywords
Resumo
JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A neuropatia dolorosa tem prevalência estimada em toda a população em torno de 7% a 10%, pode ter diversas etiologias e requer cuidado integrado. O cuidado desses pacientes costuma ser desafiador, pois a maioria deles não obtém resultados satisfatórios com os fármacos disponíveis para manejo da dor que, muitas vezes, são incapacitantes, além das comorbidades associadas, como distúrbios do sono e alterações de humor. A maioria dos fármacos utilizados atualmente para o tratamento da dor neuropática (DN) apresenta diversos efeitos adversos, o que dificulta a adesão ao tratamento e impossibilita atingir as doses que seriam indicadas para o manejo adequado. Diante desse cenário, estudos estão sendo feitos visando o sistema endocanabinoide presente no corpo humano, que tem capacidade de modular a dor, sono e distúrbios do humor, entre outros benefícios. Fármacos como os fitocanabinoides, principalmente com as moléculas canabidiol (CBD) e tetrahidrocanabidiol (THC), têm sido estudados com potencial significativo para o tratamento da neuropatia dolorosa. Esta revisão teve o objetivo de descrever os mecanismos prováveis de ação dos canabinoides na DN e os resultados obtidos até o momento com a utilização dessas moléculas.
CONTEÚDO: Este estudo é uma revisão narrativa da literatura. Os dados foram analisados utilizando as bases de dados National Library of Medicine (NCBI), Google acadêmico, Medline e configurações de bases científicas pela LILACS e Web of Science em uma busca temporal entre 2004 e 2022. Foram contabilizados 45 artigos.
CONCLUSÃO: O THC modula os efeitos opioides na dor neuropática. Esta atuação é associada com efeito farmacocinético e foi demonstrada por imagens cerebrais. Esta atuação significativa pode ser associada com sítios alvo específicos e atuantes primários com relação ao Δ-9-THC e sua ligação a receptores associados à analgesia. Entretanto, mais estudos com este componente ou associado a pequenas variações canabinoides são necessários para afirmar a sua atuação na dor neuropática.
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Submitted date:
06/01/2022
Accepted date:
03/06/2023
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