ABSTRACT
Cannabinoids are significant constituents of the Cannabis sativa plant used for millennia as textile fibers before transitioning into herbal remedies for various health conditions. The most applicable cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which show contrasts in their psychoactive properties and binding associations with endogenous cannabinoid receptors known as CB1R, found predominantly in the brain, and CB2R, found in immune cells, spleen, and the gastrointestinal system. The ameliorating effect of CBDs on seizures has garnered its acceptance across the country, as evidenced by its FDA approval as Epidiolex, a CBD oral solution available to patients suffering from seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Beyond neurological diseases, recent studies report the palliative effect of cannabinoids in mitigating tumor growth in various animal models of cancer. However, understanding the underlying mechanisms contributing to the therapeutic action of cannabinoids has only recently started to develop. Notably, technological/scientific advancement, public awareness, and legislative changes contributed towards the rising interest and extensive use of cannabinoids. Owing to the increasing interest in cannabinoid use in medicine, this chapter will highlight the current understanding and mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids and clinical trials employing cannabidiol in cancer therapy and neurological diseases.
