Scientists are altering cannabidiol to better combat skin diseases. They’ve developed molecules that both inhibit the BACH1 protein and activate the NRF2 protein, safeguarding cells from oxidative stress.
This could be used in treating skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and epidermolysis bullosa, as well as in the fields of cosmetics and nutrition.
Nowadays, cannabidiol is a star component, not only in the world of cosmetics, but also in pharmaceutics and nutrition due to its antioxidant properties and its therapeutical potential. It is a natural molecule that comes from medicinal cannabis and that, despite being derived from it, is not a psychoactive compound, meaning that it has no effect on the nervous system.
In spite of its successful sales, we still do not know how cannabidiol acts upon different skin cells in order to unleash its antioxidants. A collaborative partnership with the University of Cordoba and the University of Dundee demonstrated for the first time that cannabidiol induces the expression of heme oxygenase 1, an enzyme with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in the main cells on the top layer of the skin, called keratinocytes. This is done by reducing or silencing the protein that suppresses it, known as BACH1.
Immunology Professor Eduardo Muñoz. Credit: Universidad de Córdoba
“Once we described the whole working mechanism, we have continued our partnership, making modifications to the cannabidiol molecule in order to try to improve its properties that fight against skin diseases,” explains Immunology Professor Eduardo Muñoz, who is in charge of the BIO-304 “Immunopharmacology and Molecular Virology” research group at the University of Cordoba.
Hence, the international research team designed new molecules that, besides inhibiting the BACH1 protein, activate the NRF2 protein. This protein controls the way that certain genes are expressed. These specific genes help to protect cells against oxidative stress such as HMOX1, the one that encodes heme oxygenase 1, but also many others that work independently from BACH1.
So, the newly designed molecules that are derived from cannabidiol have double antioxidant activity: on the one hand, they suppress BACH1 and with it, they induce the expression of heme oxygenase 1 and on the other, they activate NRF2, which also induces the expression of heme oxygenase 1, in addition to other antioxidant genes. “When combining the inhibition of BACH1 with the activation of NRF2, the result is a very potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response and better therapeutic effects,” says Eduardo Muñoz.
This action mechanism is very interesting for skin disease treatments such as atopic dermatitis and epidermolysis bullosa, a very rare disease on which there is little research. What is more, this molecule has great potential to be used in cosmetics due to its antioxidant properties.
In addition to the University of Dundee in Scotland and the University of Cordoba, the companies Emerald Health Biotechnology, in the field of developing new medicine, and Innohealth Madrid (acquired by Evonik Industries AG), which specializes in dermo-cosmetics made from natural ingredients, have also collaborated on this research. Both companies were set up stemming from the BIO-304 research group at the University of Cordoba.
Based on these studies, the research team will continue to modify the molecules in order to improve their properties and, further down the road, perform studies on animal models in order to understand its therapeutical potential for skin diseases and other inflammatory diseases.
References:
“Isomeric O-methyl cannabidiolquinones with dual BACH1/NRF2 activity” by Laura Casares, Juan Diego Unciti-Broceta, Maria Eugenia Prados, Diego Caprioglio, Daiana Mattoteia, Maureen Higgins, Giovanni Apendino, Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova, Eduardo Muñoz and Laureanode la Vega, 22 August 2020, Redox Biology.
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101689
“Cannabidiol induces antioxidant pathways in keratinocytes by targeting BACH1” by Laura Casares, Víctor García, Martín Garrido-Rodríguez, Estrella Millán, Juan A. Collado, Adela García-Martín, Jon Peñarando, Marco A. Calzado, Laureano de la Vega and Eduardo Muñoz, 5 September 2019, Redox Biology.
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101321
Very interesting.
The Skin is the largest organ in the Body.
A word of caution is advised. Introducing potent antioxidants which suppress the skins natural ability to protect the Human from getting infected is fraught with risk.
The ancient Vedic texts identify only nine gates through which Pathogens, bacteria and Viruses can enter the human/ mammalian body and infect the Host.
These anciet seerrs ignored the skin as a bpossible gate, probably because they did not think that we would have CBD oil fom Marijuana — which would be used widely and get incorporated into major industrial use! Sure it may not affect the CNS and give you a high.
However, introduction of chemical subbstance into the Human / Mammalian system which suppresses the bodies defense mechanism may be risky, just to stisfy the vanity of looking goal. You may be opening the tenth gate and allow undetectable small viruses , pathogens and bacteria into the host.
Please examine the skin cells under a Electron microscope. You will see gaping holes which have natural defenders not allowing entry of small viruses, bateria and pathogens into the body which you may be suppresing , just to look good! By contrast , the C-19 virus may be Huge with almost 28to 30 K NUcleotides!
Advise to humanity. Don’t introduce any substance into your body which may be harmful and have disastrous consequences in the short or long term!Doind so may be dangerous for existence. I understand that Arsenic also makes you look good and ensures that your skin keeps looking good longafter yoyu are buries=d in a coffin in the grave !.
Views opinions expressed are personal and not binding on anyone.
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