scholarly journals The Endocannabinoid System in Human Physiology

10.5772/63818 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosanna Chianese ◽  
Rosaria Meccariello
Keyword(s):  
Human Physiology ◽  
Endocannabinoid System

scholarly journals From Phytocannabinoids to Cannabinoid Receptors and Endocannabinoids: Pleiotropic Physiological and Pathological Roles Through Complex Pharmacology

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 1593-1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Ligresti ◽  
Luciano De Petrocellis ◽  
Vincenzo Di Marzo
Keyword(s):  
Human Physiology ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Chronological Order ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Potential Impact

Apart from having been used and misused for at least four millennia for, among others, recreational and medicinal purposes, the cannabis plant and its most peculiar chemical components, the plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids), have the merit to have led humanity to discover one of the most intriguing and pleiotropic endogenous signaling systems, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This review article aims to describe and critically discuss, in the most comprehensive possible manner, the multifaceted aspects of 1) the pharmacology and potential impact on mammalian physiology of all major phytocannabinoids, and not only of the most famous one Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and 2) the adaptive pro-homeostatic physiological, or maladaptive pathological, roles of the ECS in mammalian cells, tissues, and organs. In doing so, we have respected the chronological order of the milestones of the millennial route from medicinal/recreational cannabis to the ECS and beyond, as it is now clear that some of the early steps in this long path, which were originally neglected, are becoming important again. The emerging picture is rather complex, but still supports the belief that more important discoveries on human physiology, and new therapies, might come in the future from new knowledge in this field.

Light- or Dark-Colored, L-DOPA-Based Melanins

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Vercruysse ◽  
Margaret M. Whalen
Keyword(s):  
Human Physiology ◽  
Ir Spectra ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Chemical Signature ◽  
Ft Ir

<p>This report is a continuation of previous research on the H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-mediated synthesis of melanin-like pigments. We synthesized and characterized L-DOPA-based pigments using air- or H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-mediated<sub> </sub>oxidation. We compared their physic-chemical properties and evaluated their capacity to affect the interleukin release from immune cells. The use of higher concentrations of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> resulted in melanin-like materials with a distinct chemical signature in their FT-IR spectra and a lighter color. All pigments enhanced the interleukin release from immune cells. The possibility that lighter-colored melanins can be generated is discussed in the context of the importance of melanin-based pigmentation in human physiology.</p>

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