Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
08:49
Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
In Vitro Characterization of Cannabidiol As a Possible Adjuvant for Long-Lasting Local Anesthesia
Inês C A Pombeiro Stein1,2, Jan Niklas Schill1, Anna Sophie Heinemann1
1From the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|June 10, 2026
Summary
Cannabidiol (CBD) shows potential as a long-lasting local anesthetic by inhibiting sodium channels. It may also enhance the effects of lidocaine for regional anesthesia, with reduced neurotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav).
- CBD's lipophilicity and slow binding kinetics suggest potential for prolonging regional anesthesia.
- This study investigated CBD's effects on lidocaine-induced Nav inhibition and neurotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the effects of CBD on Nav inhibition and neurotoxicity.
- To evaluate CBD as a potential local anesthetic or adjunct to existing anesthetics.
Main Methods:
- Patch clamp recordings on TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant Navs (Nav1.8) in cell lines and neurons.
- Cytotoxicity assessed using flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- CBD produced potent tonic inhibition of sodium currents with slow kinetics, showing higher sensitivity for Nav1.8.
- CBD exhibited pH-independent Nav inhibition and potentiated lidocaine-induced cytotoxicity.
- Co-application with lidocaine showed additive effects in cell lines but not neurons.
Conclusions:
- CBD exhibits characteristics suitable for a long-lasting local anesthetic.
- CBD shows promise as an adjunct to local anesthetics for regional or topical anesthesia.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
The potency and duration of action of local anesthetics (LAs) are determined by their pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics describes how LAs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. When administered to the vascular tissues, LAs are quickly absorbed and enter the systemic circulation, reducing their localized effects. Adding vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine to LAs reduces their absorption into the systemic circulation, making them clinically effective. The...
01:30Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Local anesthetics (LAs) are drugs that induce a temporary loss of sensation in a limited body area, preventing pain. Cocaine was the first local anesthetic discovered in the late 19th century. Cocaine is a benzoic acid ester obtained from the leaves of coca shrubs and was often used for its psychotropic effects. Cocaine was first isolated in 1860 by Albert Niemann. Sigmund Freud studied the physiological actions of cocaine. Carl Koller later introduced it into clinical practice in 1884 as a...
01:23Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action
Local anesthetics (LAs) block sensory and motor impulses by inhibiting the sodium channels on the nerve cell membranes. This induces temporary loss of sensation, relieving pain in a specific body area.
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
01:12Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
01:23Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...