In the Media

A company-sponsored peer-reviewed scientific study entitled “Cannabinol modulates the endocannabinoid system and shows TRPV1-mediated anti-inflammatory properties in human keratinocytes” has been published in the international journal Biofactors. This  study demonstrates the biological activity of cannabinol (“CBN”) and its potential anti-inflammatory effects in skin diseases.

Excerpt:

In summary, in this investigation CBN has been shown to be active on inflamed human keratinocytes via TRPV1 channels, thus supporting a potential therapeutic effect of this minor pCB in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. It should be recalled that CBN has been indeed suggested as a potential component of topical applications to be used against psoriasis, where it inhibits keratinocyte proliferation through as yet unclear CB_1/2-independent mechanisms.⁹⁷ A recent study has also shown anti-melanoma, anti-melanogenic, and anti-tyrosinase properties of CBN (and other pCBs), thus making them useful as novel cosmeceutical products for skin care.⁹⁸ Moreover, a CBN-based therapy has been recently shown to be effective in the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a group of rare medical conditions characterized by easy blistering of the skin and mucous membranes.⁹⁹ This therapy was recently completed in a phase 2 clinical trial, aimed at assessing its potential as a topical treatment for EB, where it may help to relieve hallmark symptoms such as itch in a subset of EB Simplex patients.⁹⁹ On a final note, it can be recalled that the therapeutic potential of CBN goes beyond the skin, because another CBN-based topical eye drop formulation has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of glaucoma, where it may prevent the inflammation leading to elevated intraocular pressure and hence damage to the retinal ganglion cells.¹⁰⁰

Taken together, our data suggest that CBN may hold true therapeutic potential to treat different human skin diseases. Such a biological activity of CBN occurs through engagement of selected elements of the endocannabinoid system—in particular TRPV1—a finding that paves the way to the development of distinct formulations of cannabis extracts for selected therapeutic applications.