Acute kappa opioid receptor blocking disrupts the pro-cognitive effect of cannabidiol in neuropathic rats.

Cannabidiol has been shown to ameliorate neuropathic pain and its affective components. Previous studies highlighted the pharmacological interaction between the CBD and opioid system, particularly the MOR, but the understanding of the interaction between CBD and kappa opioid receptor (KOR), physiologically stimulated by the endogenous opioid dynorphin, remains elusive. We assessed the pharmacological interactions between CBD and nor-BNI, a selective KOR antagonist in a rat neuropathic pain model.

Prenyl Pterocarpans from Algerian and Their Effects on Neuroblastoma.

The pterocarpan fraction from aerial parts of was investigated for both chemical characterization and biological evaluation. Chemical studies were in accordance with the literature data on genus resulting in the identification of typical 4,8-prenyl pterocarpans. Three new members, bituminarins A-C (-), were isolated along with main bitucarpin A (), erybraedin C () and erybraedin D () already reported from this plant.

-Adamantyl-1-alkyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide Derivatives as Fluorescent Probes to Detect Microglia Activation through the Imaging of Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype 2 (CB2R).

Cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2R) is emerging as a pivotal biomarker to identify the first steps of inflammation-based diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. There is an urgent need to find specific probes that may result in green and safe alternatives to the commonly used radiative technologies, to deepen the knowledge of the CB2R pathways impacting the onset of the above-mentioned pathologies. Therefore, based on one of the CB2R pharmacophores, we developed a class of fluorescent -adamantyl-1-alkyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide derivatives spanning from the green to the near-infrared (NIR) regions of the light spectrum.

The short-chain fatty acid acetate modulates orexin/hypocretin neurons: A novel mechanism in gut-brain axis regulation of energy homeostasis and feeding.

The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate, the major products of intestinal microbial fermentation of dietary fibres, are involved in fine-tuning brain functions via the gut-brain axis. However, the effects of SCFAs in the hypothalamic neuronal network regulating several autonomic-brain functions are still unknown. Using NMR spectroscopy, we detected a reduction in brain acetate concentrations in the hypothalamus of obese leptin knockout ob/ob mice compared to lean wild-type littermates.

Oxytocin Modifies the Excitability and the Action Potential Shape of the Hippocampal CA1 GABAergic Interneurons.

Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide that modulates social-related behavior and cognition in the central nervous system of mammals. In the CA1 area of the hippocampus, the indirect effects of the OT on the pyramidal neurons and their role in information processing have been elucidated. However, limited data are available concerning the direct modulation exerted by OT on the CA1 interneurons (INs) expressing the oxytocin receptor (OTR).

Early endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of excitation delays the appearance of the epileptic phenotype in synapsin II knockout mice.

The mechanism underlying the transition from the pre-symptomatic to the symptomatic state is a crucial aspect of epileptogenesis. SYN2 is a member of a multigene family of synaptic vesicle phosphoproteins playing a fundamental role in controlling neurotransmitter release. Human SYN2 gene mutations are associated with epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder.