Cues of anti-inflammatory activity induced by cannabidiol (CBD) on the monocyte/macrophage THP-1 cell line

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main non-active component of Cannabis sativa. Like other psychoactive cannabinoids (i.e. THC), CBD is an immunomodulating agent that affects T cells, B cells, macrophages and microglia cells. Several studies have demonstrated the ability of cannabinoids to suppress inflammatory response, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. In order to study the mechanisms related to immunomodulation triggered by cannabinoids, this study analyzes the anti-inflammatory ability of CBD to influence immunocompetent cells by using THP-1, an established monocytic leukemic lineage, able to differentiate into macrophages after treatment of PMA. In addition, we also compared the anti-inflammatory activity of CDB with that of its acetylated derivative (CBD-A ) and another non-psychoactive cannabinoid, cannabigerol