Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder, manifesting in people who have endured traumatic events like violence, war, natural disasters, accidents, or other life-threatening situations. Essentially, PTSD is a chronic and debilitating disorder, significantly impacting mental health and psychosocial well-being, necessitating the exploration of novel treatment approaches. Although conventional therapies like psychotherapy and antidepressants have demonstrated efficacy for certain individuals, their effectiveness is limited for some and minimal for others. Consequently, researchers and clinicians are investigating alternative therapeutic methods for these conditions. Among these emerging treatments, cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promising results. Nevertheless, early studies suggest that CBD might yield positive outcomes in mitigating symptoms related to both depression and PTSD.
Tag Archives: cannabidiol
Cannabidiol in the context of sleeping disorders-induced oxidative stress
Sleep disorders can be the result of psychiatric or neurological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorders, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease. At the same time, changes in sleep, known as sleep disorders, are closely related to various metabolic dysfunctions, which in turn are the result of the generation of reactive oxygen species, or otherwise known as oxidative stress. For this reason, cannabinoid derivatives are increasingly used for this purpose. Among the most used are delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These agents interact with the endogenous endocannabinoid system, either by direct action on specific receptors, or by increasing the availability of endocannabinoids, modifying particular mental states (anxiety, depression). The results of the studies specified in this article provide promising evidence regarding the positive effects of CBD, which extend beyond the scope of sleep disorders, with possible applications also in the case of the accumulation of reactive oxygen species.
Current and novel pharmacological therapeutic approaches in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A brief review
Objective: Although not highly prevalent among the general population, post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious psychiatric condition, associated with co-morbidities, mortality and high suicide rates. Currently, there are few approved pharmacological therapies, which count as second-line, augmented to psychotherapy. Studies from the literature emphasize the need for novel treatment options, due to high relapse rates and patients that do not achieve remission. This study provides an overview over the pharmacological treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, from a neurobiological perspective.
Methods: A systematic research has been conducted through PubMed, PLOS one, Cochrane library and Google Scholar databases.
Results: The neurobiological mechanisms which underlies the symptomatology are not fully elucidated. In the present, some theories involved in the onset/ manifestation are formulated (serotonergic, noradrenergic, glutamatergic, GABA-ergic, endocannabinoid) and the current therapy aims to modulate these neurotransmissions. In light of the studies along the years, a line should be drawn between the drugs acting on reducing the anxiety only and those that exhibit dual effect i.e. reducing the anxiety and affecting the memory reconsolidation processes. Although labelled as recreational drugs rather than compounds with intended therapeutic effects, cannabidiol and 3,4-methylenedioximethamphetamine appear to be the most promising from the perspective of efficacy and benefit-risk ratio.
Conclusion: Preclinical studies come with acceptable results, yet clinical trials are controversial and heterogeneous, given the small population size. Given the seriousness of post-traumatic stress disorder, the attempts to find effective and safe treatment in a context that lacks appropriate therapeutic approaches should be encouraged.
New UHPLC Method for Cannabidiol Determination in Hard Capsules
Objectives: The aim of the study was to propose a new UHPLC method for the determination of cannabidiol (CBD) from supplements and drugs available on the Romanian market. Materials and methods: The HPLC assay of CBD was achieved by using a Phenomenex Gemini NX-C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of 70% acetonitrile and 30% water. Elution was performed in isocratic mode and the detection was done at 208 nm. The method was tested on hard capsules containing 150 mg of CBD.
Results and discussions: The retention time of CBD was 2.8 minutes. Regression analysis showed good linearity over the 1-100 ug/ml concentration range. The lowest limit of quantification was established at 1 µg/ml. The method was developed by using reconstituted capsules. The substance proved low stability in solution at room temperature and stability at temperatures between 2-8ºC. The recovery of reconstituted samples was 96.77%. The commercial capsules had a very low content of 15-20% from declared content.
Conclusions: The proposed method can be used for CBD determination in different pharmaceutical formulations – hard and soft capsules with coconut oil as excipient.