Journal Article
The cannabinoid TRPA1 agonist cannabichromene inhibits nitric oxide production in macrophages and ameliorates murine colitis
Romano, B; Borrelli, F; Fasolino, I; Capasso, R; Piscitelli, F; Cascio, M; Pertwee, R; Coppola, D; Vassallo, L; Orlando, P; Di Marzo, V; Izzo, A
British Journal of Pharmacology
ISSN: 0007-1188
EISSN: 1476-5381
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 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nitrite levels were measured using a fluorescent assay; inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TRPA1 and cannabinoid (CB(1) and CB(2) ) receptors were analysed by RT-PCR (and/or western blot analysis); colitis was induced by dinitrobenzensulphonic 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. 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, cannabinoid receptor and TRPA1 changes were not significantly modified by cannabichromene, which, however, increased oleoylethanolamide levels. In 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.
cannabichromene; cannabinoid receptors; endocannabinoids; inflammatory bowel disease; macrophages; nitric oxide; non-psychotropic cannabinoids; oleoylethanolamide; transient receptor potential (TRP) channels; TRPA1