Promising Anti-inflammatory Agent Binds to the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor

A chemical isolated from several types of plants including oregano, basil, rosemary, cinnamon, and black pepper has been found to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent due to its binding to the CB2 cannabinoid receptor.

Investigators at Bonn University (Germany) and Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (Zurich, CH) studied the interaction between the plant extract beta-caryophillin (E-BCP) and the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. CB1 is well known for binding the psychoactive components found in drugs such as marijuana and hashish. Activation of CB2 stimulates the release of anti-inflammatory chemical messengers that act to lessen the severity of conditions such as inflammation, pain, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.

In their paper published in the June 23, 2008, online edition of the Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) the investigators reported that beta-caryophyllin bound specifically to the CB2 receptor. Thus, it triggered only an anti-inflammatory effect. Other compounds that bound to CB2 also bound to some extent to CB1, which caused greater or lesser degrees of intoxication. E-BCP was used to treat a group of mice with inflamed and swollen paws. In up to 70% of the cases the swelling subsequently subsided.

"The endocannabinoid system comes into play when the equilibrium of the metabolic processes has been destroyed”, explained senior author Dr. Andreas Zimmer, professor of molecular psychiatry at the University of Bonn. "It is similar to the antidepressants in that, although they help for depressions, they do not do anything to brighten the mood of a healthy person. Endocannabinoids are formed by the body itself and maintain its equilibrium.”


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Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule
Investigators at Bonn University