A recent study investigates the potential of Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid derived from cannabis plants, in mitigating chronic inflammation associated with colitis.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) poses a significant health challenge, marked by persistent inflammation in the gut, compromised epithelial integrity, heightened macrophage infiltration, and an increased risk of colon cancer.
The study involves the supplementation of CBD into the diets of mice, and its impact on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis is evaluated.
“Eight-week-old mice were provided a standard diet with or without CBD (200 mg kg-1 ) for a duration of 5 weeks. In the 4th week, mice underwent induction with 2.5% DSS for 7 days, followed by a 7-day recovery period to induce colitis. CBD supplementation demonstrated notable benefits, including a reduction in body weight loss, gross bleeding, fecal consistency issues, and a lower disease activity index”, study notes.
Moreover, CBD supplementation exhibited protective effects on colonic structure, facilitated tissue recovery, and mitigated macrophage infiltration in colonic tissue. These effects were linked to the activation of signaling pathways such as cyclic AMP-protein kinase A, extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½, and AMP-activated protein kinase. CBD supplementation also demonstrated a suppressive impact on the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the secretion of related pro-inflammatory markers. Consistently, CBD intake led to a reduction in tight junction protein claudin2 and myosin light chain kinase in DSS-treated mice.
The findings indicate that dietary supplementation with CBD provides protective effects against inflammation and colitis symptoms induced by DSS.
“This research suggests a promising alternative approach to managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and underscores the potential of CBD as a therapeutic agent in addressing chronic gut inflammation”, researchers concluded.
in Costa Rica. 
