Combined non-psychoactive Cannabis components cannabidiol and β-caryophyllene reduce chronic pain via CB1 interaction in a rat spinal cord injury model

PLoS ONE, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282920 · Published: March 13, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of using non-psychoactive components from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD) and β-caryophyllene (BCP), to alleviate chronic pain resulting from spinal cord injuries in rats. The researchers found that both CBD and BCP, when administered individually, reduced tactile and cold hypersensitivity in rats with spinal cord injuries. Furthermore, when CBD and BCP were co-administered, they observed an enhanced reduction in pain responses, suggesting a synergistic effect, particularly for cold hypersensitivity.

Study Duration

3 weeks of drug administration and testing after 4 weeks post-SCI

Participants

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (approx. 140–200 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Both CBD and BCP individually reduced tactile and cold hypersensitivity in male and female rats with SCI in a dose-dependent manner.
2
Co-administration of CBD and BCP produced enhanced dose-dependent reduction in allodynic responses, with synergistic effects observed for cold hypersensitivity and additive effects for tactile hypersensitivity in males.
3
The antinociceptive effects of the CBD:BCP co-administration were nearly completely blocked by CB1 antagonist AM251, suggesting a novel CB1 interactive mechanism.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the analgesic potential of CBD and BCP individually and in combination in a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) clip compression chronic pain model. Individually, both phytocannabinoids produced dose-dependent reduction in tactile and cold hypersensitivity in male and female rats with SCI. The antinociceptive effects of the CBD:BCP co-administration were nearly completely blocked by CB1 antagonist AM251, suggesting a novel CB1 interactive mechanism between these two phytocannabinoids in the SCI pain state.

Practical Implications

Potential Therapeutic Strategy

CBD:BCP co-administration may provide a safe and effective treatment option for the management of chronic SCI pain.

Reduced Opioid Use

The observed decrease in opioid-seeking behavior suggests that this treatment may be useful as a supplemental therapeutic to reduce opioid needed for effective pain management.

Novel CB1 Interactive Mechanism

The finding of a CB1-interactive mechanism opens new avenues for research into cannabinoid-based pain management.

Study Limitations

1
Antinociceptive effects of both individual and combined treatment were generally less robust in females than males.
2
The original plan of the study did not include antagonist evaluations of the separate CBD and BCP components.
3
The CBD Gold Oil used in the current study contains 0.04% CBD-V, 0.01% cannabigerol, 0.03% cannabinol, and 0.07% cannabichromene in addition to 5.45% CBD

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury