Neuroprotective Aspects of Cannabinoid Compounds

The accumulation of reliable data on the effects of cannabinoids is essential for understanding their possible beneficial effectson the central nervous system (CNS). Investigating individual substances along with the action of different combinationsmay show new possibilities for cannabinoids as neuroprotective agents. The data collected so far reveals the complexityof the mechanism of cannabinoids action on CNS, and even more complex and poorly understood are the effects whencombined. Moreover, combining cannabinoids with different drugs and chemicals may lead to a decrease in beneficialeffects. These characteristics of their action emphasize the complexity of the molecular mechanisms of neuroprotectionand the lack of reliable information that may contribute to the safe and effective use of cannabinoids as medicines withvaluable neuroprotective properties. The current brief review summarizes present data related to the protective effects ofsome cannabinoids on CNS and possible mechanisms involved in cannabinoid-mediated neuroprotection.