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Local administration of WIN 55,212-2 reduces chronic granuloma-associated angiogenesis in rat by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.

De Filippis D, Russo A, De Stefano D, Maiuri MC, Esposito G, Cinelli MP, Pietropaolo C, Carnuccio R, Russo G, Iuvone T

Dipartimento di Farmacologia Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli, 80131, Italy, danieldef@gmail.com.

Chronic inflammation is often associated with granuloma formation that is a hallmark of many human diseases. The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) plays a central role in this process by regulating the expression of several pro-inflammatory genes. Cannabinoids (CBs) from Cannabis sativa L. exert a large number of biological effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects. In this study, we investigated the role of CBs on granuloma formation induced by lambda-carrageenin-soaked sponge implant in rat. Our results show that local administration of WIN 55,212-2, a CB(1)/CB(2) agonist, given daily or at time of implantation significantly decreased weight and neo-angiogenesis in granuloma tissue and inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB)/DNA binding that was associated with a reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression. Also, arachidonyl-2-chloroethylamide (ACEA), a CB(1) selective agonist, and JWH-015, a CB(2) selective agonist, exhibited the same effects that were reversed by SR141716-A and SR144528, respectively, CB(1) and CB(2) selective antagonists. These results indicate that CBs given locally may represent a potential therapeutic tool in controlling chronic inflammation avoiding psychotropic effects.

Published 1 June 2007 in J Mol Med, 85(6): 635-45.
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