Methylhonokiol attenuates neuroinflammation: a role for cannabinoid receptors?

J Neuroinflammation. 2012 Jun 20:9:135. doi: 10.1186/1742-2094-9-135.

Abstract

The cannabinoid type-2 G protein-coupled (CB₂) 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 CB₂ 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 CB₂ receptors expressed in microglial cells and astrocytes. The recent findings provide further evidence for a potential role of CB₂ receptors in the pathophysiology of AD, spurring target validation and drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Animals
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • Lignans / pharmacology*
  • Lignans / therapeutic use
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / physiology*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / physiology

Substances

  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Lignans
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • honokiol