Therapeutic use and cardiovascular effects of <i>Cannabis</i> spp. in veterinary medicine

Cannabis spp. is a plant from the Cannabaceae family that has known therapeutic effects for many years. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the most studied phytocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system, present in practically the entire kingdom Animalia, is an important regulatory mechanism, mainly at the neurological and immunological level. The main receptors for phytocannabinoids are cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2) and these are widely distributed in the body, including the cardiovascular system. Cannabinoids have known cardiovascular effects, but have not yet been studied in animals. The hemodynamic effects of experimental models are complex and dependent on the study conditions. The main indications are for pain control (mainly neuropathic, derived from osteoarthritis and oncology), idiopathic epilepsy refractory to conventional treatments, allergic skin diseases and behavioral disorders. It is normally used in an oily formulation, taken orally, with an ideal dose individualized for each patient. This review aimed to bring together articles and clinical studies regarding the use of Cannabis spp. in animals and its possible cardiovascular effects.