Methylhonokiol attenuates neuroinflammation: a role for cannabinoid receptors?
<p>Abstract</p> <p>The cannabinoid type-2 G protein-coupled (CB<sub>2</sub>) receptor is an emerging therapeutic target for pain management and immune system modulation. In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) the orally administered natural product 4′-O-methylhono...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2012-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Neuroinflammation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/9/1/135 |
| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>The cannabinoid type-2 G protein-coupled (CB<sub>2</sub>) receptor is an emerging therapeutic target for pain management and immune system modulation. In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) the orally administered natural product 4′-O-methylhonokiol (MH) has been shown to prevent amyloidogenesis and progression of AD by inhibiting neuroinflammation. In this commentary we discuss an intriguing link between the recently found CB<sub>2</sub> receptor-mediated molecular mechanisms of MH and its anti-inflammatory and protective effects in AD animal models. We argue that the novel cannabimimetic MH may exert its beneficial effects via modulation of CB<sub>2</sub> receptors expressed in microglial cells and astrocytes. The recent findings provide further evidence for a potential role of CB<sub>2</sub> receptors in the pathophysiology of AD, spurring target validation and drug discovery.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1742-2094 |