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Oromucosal as an Alternative Method for Administration of Cannabis Products in Rodents
Published on: August 22, 2025
297
Molecular Mechanism and Cannabinoid Pharmacology
Lesley D Schurman1, Dai Lu2, Debra A Kendall3
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|April 3, 2020
Summary
Researchers discovered the endogenous cannabinoid system, crucial for understanding Cannabis pharmacology. This knowledge offers therapeutic potential but also led to harmful synthetic cannabinoids.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cannabis has long been studied for medicinal properties and psychoactive effects.
- Key compounds like THC and CBD spurred research into cannabinoid pharmacology.
- Synthetic cannabinoids emerged partly to bypass legal restrictions on Cannabis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the research journey leading to the discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid system.
- To explore the dual impact of this knowledge on human health, both beneficial and detrimental.
Main Methods:
- Elucidation of major Cannabis constituents (THC, CBD).
- Synthesis of novel cannabinoids as pharmacological tools.
- Identification of cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2) and endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids).
Main Results:
- Discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) involving CB1/CB2 receptors and endocannabinoids.
- CB1 receptors modulate neurotransmission; CB2 receptors are mainly on immune cells.
- The ECS regulates numerous physiological processes, presenting therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the ECS has yielded significant therapeutic opportunities.
- The study of cannabinoids also inadvertently led to the proliferation of dangerous synthetic cannabinoids for non-medical use.
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