Cannabidiol as a therapeutic agent for rosacea through simultaneous inhibition of multiple inflammatory pathways |
Jiyoon Kim 1,2,4,* (Professor), Chandani Shrestha1,2,# (Graduate student), Eun Hee Yoo3,# (Graduate student), Barsha Deshar1,2 (Graduate student), Min Hwang1 (Graduate student), Shinwon Kang1 (Graduate student), Bum-Ho Bin1 (Professor), Ji Hyun Lee2,3 (Professor) |
1Department of Pharmacology and 2Department of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 3Department of Dermatology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 4Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 5Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, 6Department of Applied Biotechnology and 7Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, 8Institute for Aging and Metabolic Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea |
Abstract
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by facial erythema, papules, pustules, and telangiectasia, affecting approximately 5.5% of the global population. Current treatments, primarily topical and oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, often show limited efficacy and may cause undesirable side effects, prompting the need for alternative therapies. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, has shown promise as a therapeutic agent for rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in cutaneous homeostasis. This study evaluated the efficacy of CBD, both alone and in combination with metronidazole (MET), in reducing inflammation and modulating immune responses in a rosacea-like mouse model. Our results demonstrated that both CBD and MET significantly inhibited redness, epidermal thickness, and mast cell infiltration, with their combination being more effective. Mechanistic analyses revealed that the therapeutic effect of CBD is associated with the suppression of key inflammatory regulators in the MAPK signaling pathway, particularly the ERK, JNK, and p38 pathways. CBD treatment also led to a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, indicating immune modulation. These findings suggest that CBD, especially in combination with MET, may represent a novel therapeutic option for rosacea and offer a scientific basis for its clinical application in managing inflammatory skin conditions.
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Abstract, Accepted Manuscript [Submitted on July 22, 2024, Accepted on November 18, 2024] |
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