Title: Cannabinoids and human immunocompetence: A comprehensive review

Abstract:

Despite anecdotal evidence suggesting phytocannabinoids interact with the human immune system, the precise mechanisms of these interactions remain largely unknown. Even so, numerous publications have reported remarkable concentrations of endo cannabinoid receptors and related proteins in various immune tissues, thus implicating the system as an integral part of immunological function.（Recent clinical researchers further evidence to support endocannabinoids and related endogenous fatty acid derivatives as potent regulators of immune activity. How-ever, the ultimate e_ect of these molecules binding to their associated receptors is highly contingent upon the particular type of immune cell being studied. Furthermore, specific combinations of endocannabinoids and fatty acid derivatives are demonstrated to induce distinct downstream efects. Distilling general assertions to their overall impact on human immunocompetence has remained difficult. As asserted in prior comprehensive reviews, the variable and bi-directional nature of endocannabinoids on immune activity suggests they are vital to maintaining immunological homeostasis within the human body. The nascent _eld of a_ective immunology has established compelling links between human behavior, emotional a_ect, inammation, and immunocompetence. Monoamine neurotransmitters conventionally implicated in the development of a_ective mood dis- orders are also demonstratively essential as regulators of immune activity. This purported cross-talk between the central nervous and immune systems is suggested to be mediated by inammatory markers, such as cytokines and endogenous fatty acid derivatives, thus implicating these compounds as key players in a network of small molecule messengers responsible for signaling numerous organ systems during a coordinated immune response. Phytocannabinoids are widely reported to reduce inammation, emotional stress, pain, and insomnia while improving digestive health and appetite, all of which are direct contributors to human immunocompetence. Recent insight into the `entourage effect' attributes the eficacy of phytocannabinoid therapies to multiple exogenous plant compounds working in concert, suggesting that speci_c combinations are required to induce particular physiological responses, and that phytocannabinoids and terpenes serve to regulate one another in a manner similar to endocannabinoids and fatty acid derivatives. Given their ability to a_ect numerous organ systems and factors contingent to homeostatic immune function, phytocannabinoid therapies have immense clinical potential for the treatment of immunological and inammatory diseases, mood disorders, and beyond.

Biography:

Wayne J M Karim, is from Yokohama-city University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.He has completed his studies for Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of California, Riverside , and his studies for Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of San Francisco. During his tenure at both universities, he served as an instructor for organic chemistry laboratory courses, and as a lead technician for botanical and chemical research laboratories.