Malfitano Anna Maria, Matarese Giuseppe, Bifulco Maurizio
Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita' di Salerno, Fisciano (Sa), Italy.
Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord. 2005 Dec;4(6):667-75. doi: 10.2174/156800705774933087.
An increasing body of evidence suggests that cannabinoids have beneficial effects on the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including spasticity and pain. Endogenous molecules with cannabinoid-like activity, such as the "endocannabinoids", have been shown to mimic the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids through the cannabinoid receptors. Several studies suggest that cannabinoids and endocannabinoids may have a key role in the pathogenesis and therapy of multiple sclerosis. Indeed, they can down regulate the production of pathogenic T helper 1-associated cytokines enhancing the production of T helper 2-associated protective cytokines. A shift towards T helper 2 has been associated with therapeutic benefit in multiple sclerosis. In addition, cannabinoids exert a neuromodulatory effect on neurotransmitters and hormones involved in the neurodegenerative phase of the disease. In vivo studies using mice with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis, suggest that the increase of the circulating levels of endocannabinoids might have a therapeutic effect, and that agonists of endocannabinoids with low psychoactive effects could open new strategies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
越来越多的证据表明，大麻素对多发性硬化症的症状具有有益作用，包括痉挛和疼痛。具有大麻素样活性的内源性分子，如“内源性大麻素”，已被证明可通过大麻素受体模拟大麻素的抗炎特性。多项研究表明，大麻素和内源性大麻素可能在多发性硬化症的发病机制和治疗中起关键作用。事实上，它们可以下调致病性辅助性T细胞1相关细胞因子的产生，增强辅助性T细胞2相关保护性细胞因子的产生。向辅助性T细胞2的转变与多发性硬化症的治疗益处相关。此外，大麻素对参与该疾病神经退行性阶段的神经递质和激素发挥神经调节作用。使用实验性变应性脑脊髓炎小鼠（一种多发性硬化症动物模型）进行的体内研究表明，内源性大麻素循环水平的升高可能具有治疗作用，且低精神活性的内源性大麻素激动剂可能为多发性硬化症的治疗开辟新策略。
