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The cannabinoid TRPA1 agonist cannabichromene inhibits nitric oxide production in macrophages and ameliorates murine colitis
Author(s) -
Romano B,
Borrelli F,
Fasolino I,
Capasso R,
Piscitelli F,
Cascio MG,
Pertwee RG,
Coppola D,
Vassallo L,
Orlando P,
Di Marzo V,
Izzo AA
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.12120
Subject(s) - anandamide , pharmacology , cannabinoid receptor , chemistry , cannabinoid , endocannabinoid system , palmitoylethanolamide , cannabinoid receptor type 2 , receptor , nitric oxide , am251 , agonist , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Background and Purpose The non‐psychotropic cannabinoid cannabichromene is known to activate the transient receptor potential ankyrin‐type1 ( TRPA1 ) and to inhibit endocannabinoid inactivation, both of which are involved in inflammatory processes. We examined here the effects of this phytocannabinoid on peritoneal macrophages and its efficacy in an experimental model of colitis. Experimental Approach Murine peritoneal macrophages were activated in vitro by LPS . Nitrite levels were measured using a fluorescent assay; inducible nitric oxide ( iNOS ), cyclooxygenase‐2 ( COX ‐2) and cannabinoid ( CB 1 and CB 2 ) receptors were analysed by RT ‐PCR (and/or W estern blot analysis); colitis was induced by dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid ( DNBS ). Endocannabinoid (anandamide and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol), palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide levels were measured by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Colonic inflammation was assessed by evaluating the myeloperoxidase activity as well as by histology and immunohistochemistry. Key Results LPS caused a significant production of nitrites, associated to up‐regulation of anandamide, iNOS , COX ‐2, CB 1 receptors and down‐regulation of CB 2 receptors mRNA expression. Cannabichromene significantly reduced LPS ‐stimulated nitrite levels, and its effect was mimicked by cannabinoid receptor and TRPA1 agonists (carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde) and enhanced by CB 1 receptor antagonists. LPS ‐induced anandamide, iNOS , COX ‐2 and cannabinoid receptor changes were not significantly modified by cannabichromene, which, however, increased oleoylethanolamide levels. I n vivo , cannabichromene ameliorated DNBS ‐induced colonic inflammation, as revealed by histology, immunohistochemistry and myeloperoxidase activity. Conclusion and Implications Cannabichromene exerts anti‐inflammatory actions in activated macrophages – with tonic CB 1 cannabinoid signalling being negatively coupled to this effect – and ameliorates experimental murine colitis.