08/06/2007 00:00:00
Cannabis can Help to Treat Allergies, Autoimmune Disorders
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Latest research suggests that cannabis, also known as marijuana or
ganja, can help in the treatment of allergies and autoimmune disorders
that occur when body tissues are attacked by its own immune system.
Researchers led by Andreas Zimmer, at the University of Bonn, used
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in the cannabis plant
to treat mice and found that it reduced skin allergies.
However, the researchers warned that people who currently suffer from
autoimmune diseases should not try to self-medicate marijuana because of
its side effects, reported the online edition of the New Scientist.
The human body contains endocannabinoids, which are marijuana like
substances. They are produced in the body naturally.
The researchers created a group of mice that lack the receptor for
endocannabinoids and noticed that the mice soon developed a severe skin
allergy to the nickel in the metal tags the researchers had fastened to
their ears.
Zimmer set up a series of experiments to test the anti-allergy effect of
natural and synthetic THC compounds and found that they reduced skin
irritation by half.
The researches also said they found that mouse skin cells exposed to
synthetic THC release fewer cytokines, chemicals that attract immune
cells to the site of infection or irritation.
http://www.medindia.net/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12596
Author:
MedIndia via UKCIA
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