The cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain

Klauke, A.-L.; Racz, I.; Pradier, B.; Markert, A.; Zimmer, A. M.; Gertsch, J.; Zimmer, A. (2014). The cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. European neuropsychopharmacology, 24(4), pp. 608-620. Elsevier 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.10.008

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The widespread plant volatile beta-caryophyllene (BCP) was recently identified as a natural selective agonist of the peripherally expressed cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2). It is found in relatively high concentrations in many spices and food plants. A number of studies have shown that CB2 is critically involved in the modulation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain responses. In this study, we have investigated the analgesic effects of BCP in animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. We demonstrate that orally administered BCP reduced inflammatory (late phase) pain responses in the formalin test in a CB2 receptor-dependent manner, while it had no effect on acute (early phase) responses. In a neuropathic pain model the chronic oral administration of BCP attenuated thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, and reduced spinal neuroinflammation. Importantly, we found no signs of tolerance to the anti-hyperalgesic effects of BCP after prolonged treatment. Oral BCP was more effective than the subcutaneously injected synthetic CB2 agonist JWH-133. Thus, the natural plant product BCP may be highly effective in the treatment of long lasting, debilitating pain states. Our results have important implications for the role of dietary factors in the development and modulation of chronic pain conditions.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

UniBE Contributor:

Gertsch, Jürg

Subjects:

500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

0924-977X

Publisher:

Elsevier

Language:

English

Submitter:

Patrizia Catucci

Date Deposited:

01 May 2014 13:32

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:29

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.10.008

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Inflammatory pain, Neuropathic pain, CB2, Beta-caryophyllene, Dietary cannabinoid

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.43701

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/43701

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