Pharmacological Effects of Cannabinoids Extracted from Industrial hemp on Epilepsy

Author(s): Aayushi Patel, Ruba Agili-Shaban, Shrina Patel, Renata Proano, Fatima Riarh, Eman Hasan, Shobha Potlakayala, Sairam Rudrabhatla

Epilepsy is a disease caused by abnormal brain activity due to disturbed nerve cell activity. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder. Only about 7 out of 10 individuals with epilepsy are successfully treated using anti-epileptic drugs. In the pharmaceutical industry, there has been a growing demand for cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana, for therapeutic, clinical, and nutraceutical supplements. More recently, the legalization of marijuana for clinical research has allowed to further explore the efficacy in the treatment of several neurological disorders like epilepsy. Unlike opioids, cannabinoids are not psychoactive, making it a potentially more favorable therapeutic drug. Most studies showing the efficacy of Cannabis as a treatment strategy point to the pain management associated with the binding of endocannabinoid G coupled protein receptors CB1 and CB2. Though there are cannabinoid therapeutic drugs like Epidiolex approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), plant-based natural compounds are safer, and effective with no side effects.