Allergic Asthma: Can CBD Be Effective?
Chronic lung inflammation, asthma remains a major public health problem worldwide. Given the lack of treatment to reverse airway remodeling, researchers have looked into the effects of CBD on this disease.
CBD to relieve asthma.
This is a commendable approach as this infection affects many people worldwide and is impossible to treat definitively. The condition caused by allergic asthma can be relieved by certain molecules, but for now, there is no procedure to eradicate the disease.
The University of Southern Santa Catarina, in Criciúma, Brazil, conducted a study on allergic asthma. Published on January 15, 2019, it demonstrated that CBD has a "notable action" on mice. Selected extract: "Asthma is characterized by chronic lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. Asthma remains a major public health problem, and currently, there is no effective intervention that can reverse airway remodeling. Cannabidiol (CBD) exerts immunomodulatory effects by activating cannabinoid-1 and -2 receptors (CB1 and CB2) located in the central nervous system and immune cells, respectively. However, as the role of CBD on airway remodeling and the mechanisms of CB1 and CB2 are not fully elucidated, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of cannabidiol in this scenario."
Allergic asthma was induced in mice exposed to ovalbumin, and respiratory mechanics, collagen fiber content in airway and alveolar septa, cytokine levels, and CB1 and CB2 expression were determined. This allowed for quantifying and qualifying the action of CBD. In addition, the expressions of CB1 and CB2 in induced sputum of asthmatic individuals and their correlation with airway inflammation and lung function were also evaluated.
CBD offers satisfactory results.
CBD treatment reduces airway hyperresponsiveness, while static lung elastance is only reduced at doses considered high.
Another significant observation from the results: a decrease in collagen fiber content in the airway and alveolar septa and a reduction in the expression of markers associated with inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung homogenate.
It should be kept in mind that there remains a significant inverse correlation between lung function in asthmatic patients and CB1 levels. The action of CBD treatment proves effective: a decrease in inflammatory and remodeling processes is observed in the allergic asthma model.
The mechanisms of action appear to be mediated by CB1/CB2 signaling. These receptors, however, may act differently on lung remodeling and inflammation. Thus, CBD, regardless of dosage, reduced airway hyperactivity and decreased inflammation.
