Potential role of cannabidiol in Parkinson's disease by targeting the WNT/β-catenin pathway, oxidative stress and inflammation

Aging (Albany NY). 2021 Apr 13;13(7):10796-10813. doi: 10.18632/aging.202951. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major neurodegenerative disease (ND), presenting a progressive degeneration of the nervous system characterized by a loss of dopamine in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Recent findings have shown that oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the development of PD. However, therapies remain uncertain and research for new treatment is of the utmost importance. This review focuses on the potential effects of using cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PD and on some of the presumed mechanisms by which CBD provides its beneficial properties. CBD medication downregulates GSK-3β, the main inhibitor of the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Activation of the WNT/β-catenin could be associated with the control of oxidative stress and inflammation. Future prospective clinical trials should focus on CBD and its multiple interactions in the treatment of PD.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; WNT/β-catenin pathway; cannabidiol; inflammation; oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cannabidiol / pharmacology
  • Cannabidiol / therapeutic use*
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • International Cooperation
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects*

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Cannabidiol