Cited by 123Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsCannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchMedicinal Plants and Neuroprotection

The potential therapeutic effects of THC on Alzheimer’s disease

Cao, Chuanhai, Li, Yaqiong, Liu, Hui, Bai, Ge, Mayl, Jonathan, Lin, Xiaoyang, Sutherland, Kyle, Nabar, Neel +1 more·2014·Journal of Alzheimer s Disease

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic qualities of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with respect to slowing or halting the hallmark characteristics of Alzheimer's disease. N2a-variant amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) cells were incubated with THC and assayed for amyloid-β (Aβ) levels at the 6-, 24-, and 48-hour time marks. THC was also tested for synergy with caffeine, in respect to the reduction of the Aβ level in N2a/AβPPswe cells. THC was also tested to determine if multiple treatments were beneficial. The MTT assay was performed to test the toxicity of THC. Thioflavin T assays and western blots were performed to test the direct anti-Aβ aggregation significance of THC. Lastly, THC was tested to determine its effects on glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and related signaling pathways. From the results, we have discovered THC to be effective at lowering Aβ levels in N2a/AβPPswe cells at extremely low concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. However, no additive effect was found by combining caffeine and THC together. We did discover that THC directly interacts with Aβ peptide, thereby inhibiting aggregation. Furthermore, THC was effective at lowering both total GSK-3β levels and phosphorylated GSK-3β in a dose-dependent manner at low concentrations. At the treatment concentrations, no toxicity was observed and the CB1 receptor was not significantly upregulated. Additionally, low doses of THC can enhance mitochondria function and does not inhibit melatonin's enhancement of mitochondria function. These sets of data strongly suggest that THC could be a potential therapeutic treatment option for Alzheimer's disease through multiple functions and pathways.

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Crossref · 10.3233/jad-140093

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  • Natural products such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have shown to be effective in vitro and in vivo.

    “Consequently, natural products, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have also shown to be effective in vitro and in vivo [184,185,186,187].”

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Authors
Cao, C., Li, Y., Liu, H., Bai, G., Mayl, J., Lin, X., Sutherland, K., Nabar, N., & Cai, J.
Affiliations
  • University of South Florida (US)
  • Thomas Jefferson University (US)
Venue
Journal of Alzheimer s Disease
Published
2014-09-16
Volume
42
Issue
3
Pages
973-984
ISSN
  • 1387-2877 (ISSN-L)
  • 1875-8908
OpenAlex
W2132194615
Cited by
121
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 2
FWCI
5.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Alzheimer s Disease (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plants and Neuroprotection
Keywords
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, Alzheimer's disease
MeSH terms
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta, Animals, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Humans, Mitochondria, Mutation, Neuroblastoma, Phosphorylation, Dronabinol, Transfection, Signal Transduction, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor, tau Proteins, Cell Respiration, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3, Cell Line, Tumor, Mice, Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

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