The cannabinoid dexanabinol is an inhibitor of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)

Abstract

Exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids have been shown to have neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. Although many of the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids have been identified, the mechanism of neuroprotection still represents a controversy. Here we demonstrate for the first time protective effects of the synthetic cannabinoid dexanabinol by inhibiting apoptosis in a neuron-like cell line using nuclear staining and FACS analysis and in primary neurons. We provide further evidence of inhibition of nuclear factor-κkappa B (NF-κB) by dexanabinol: Dexanabinol inhibits (1) phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB IκBα and translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus; dexan..