Therapeutic effect of cannabinoid extracts (native) on oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in C. elegans

The study of the effects of cannabinoids on the human organism and their possible activity as therapeutic agents is currently an important field of biomedical research. It has been reported that various types of cannabinoids can have positive effects on diseases of the nervous system, including neurodegenerative diseases, currently incurable, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, the mechanisms of action, their specific active ingredients and the intra- and intercellular pathways that may explain the beneficial effects of cannabinoids have not yet been clarified. It is for this reason that it is necessary to study these aspects in depth, as well as the synergistic effects that several of the components of cannabinoid derivatives have in preclinical models such as that of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). This nematode is used as an in vivo model, and allows screening of promising molecules for the study and treatment of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The objective of this proposal is to evaluate and characterize cannabinoid extracts with potential therapeutic use, in in vivo models of oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in C. elegans. Different concentrations of cannabinoid derivatives (Cannabis sativa) will be used and they will be administered to wild and transgenic strains of C. elegans, which present oxidative stress and selective neuronal death. The effects on longevity (in days), oxidative stress and neuroprotection in vivo will be evaluated. As results, we hope to identify compounds with neuroprotective and antioxidant activity that can be implemented as adjuvants in the management of some neurodegenerative diseases. We hope to publish our results in international indexed journals, and also be a first step to carry out clinical trials in humans with these phytotherapeutics or with some of their active components that we hope to identify.

Neurodegeneration, cannabinoids, cannabinoids, nervous system diseases, neurodegenerative diseases