Cannabigerol Modulates Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Expression in the Spinal Dorsal Horn and Attenuates Neuropathic Pain Models

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The expanding focus on novel therapeutic pathways for long-term pain relief has directed interest toward compounds obtained from Cannabis sativa. This study evaluated the antinociceptive potential of cannabigerol-enriched extract (CBG) in models of acute and chronic hypernociception, along with morphological outcomes. <b>Methods:</b> Formalin and hot plate tests were used on male Swiss mice to assess acute oral antinociception. To the chronic pain model, 8-week-old male Wistar rats underwent spinal nerve ligation (SNL), and CBG was administered orally by gavage once daily for 14 days. <b>Results:</b> CBG reduced nociceptive responses in the formalin test and hot plate tests, mainly at a dose of 30 mg/kg, showing antinociceptive activity. CBG attenuated SNL-induced thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity, accompanied by reduced microglial density and spinal morphological changes. Importantly, cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) signaling contributed to the antinociceptive effects of orally administered CBG, whereas cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) did not appear to play major roles under our experimental conditions. <b>Conclusions:</b> Collectively, these findings support CBG as a promising alternative for chronic pain management.

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Journal
Pharmaceuticals
Published
2025-10-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18101508
Primary Topic
Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
Type
article
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article

Cannabigerol Modulates Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Expression in the Spinal Dorsal Horn and Attenuates Neuropathic Pain Models

Gabriel Gripp Fernandes, Fabrícia Lima Fontes-Dantas, Eduardo Habib Bechelane Maia, Guilherme Carneiro Montes et al.
Pharmaceuticals
Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
article

Cannabigerol Modulates Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Expression in the Spinal Dorsal Horn and Attenuates Neuropathic Pain Models

Gabriel Gripp Fernandes, Fabrícia Lima Fontes-Dantas, Eduardo Habib Bechelane Maia, Guilherme Carneiro Montes, Luisa Menezes Trefilio, Fernanda Antunes, Bismarck Rezende, Maria Eduarda Barros de Andrade, Kethely Lima Marques, Yure Bazilio dos Santos, Vitória Macario de Simas Gonçalves, Barbara Conceição Costa Azeredo de Oliveira, Gabriela Guedes Nascimento, Karine Simões Calumbi
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The expanding focus on novel therapeutic pathways for long-term pain relief has directed interest toward compounds obtained from Cannabis sativa. This study evaluated the antinociceptive potential of cannabigerol-enriched extract (CBG) in models of acute and chronic hypernociception, along with morphological outcomes. <b>Methods:</b> Formalin and hot plate tests were used on male Swiss mice to assess acute oral antinociception. To the chronic pain model, 8-week-old male Wistar rats underwent spinal nerve ligation (SNL), and CBG was administered orally by gavage once daily for 14 days. <b>Results:</b> CBG reduced nociceptive responses in the formalin test and hot plate tests, mainly at a dose of 30 mg/kg, showing antinociceptive activity. CBG attenuated SNL-induced thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity, accompanied by reduced microglial density and spinal morphological changes. Importantly, cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) signaling contributed to the antinociceptive effects of orally administered CBG, whereas cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) did not appear to play major roles under our experimental conditions. <b>Conclusions:</b> Collectively, these findings support CBG as a promising alternative for chronic pain management.

PharmaceuticalsVol. 18(10)
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (BR), State University of Norte Fluminense (BR), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 65%
Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
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