Cannabinoid Effects on Experimental Colorectal Cancer Models Reduce Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF) and Tumor Volume: A Systematic Review

Figure 1

Overview of cannabinoids’ pharmacology. (A) Synthesis of endocannabinoids from membrane lipids. (B) TRPM8 and TRPV1, ionotropic receptors of cannabinoids. (C) Cannabinoid (CB) receptors 1 and 2 coupled to g protein and adenylyl cyclase, cannabinoids; their respective ligands are shown in the image. (D) GPR55 receptor coupled to g protein, Rho GTPase, and MAPK pathway; its respective ligands are shown in the image. (E) Ceramide synthesis de novo induced by endocannabinoids. (F) Reuptake of endocannabinoids and subsequent metabolism. (G) Apoptosome assembly during the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Executioner caspase is cleaved, and the cell undergoes apoptosis. (H) Rimonabant increases β-catenin breakdown and decreases the activity of the T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF/LEF). Other studied effects of cannabinoids not included in the figure are cytotoxic effects (antiproliferative effects), upregulation of estrogen receptors, reduction of proinflammatory markers, antiangiogenic effects (inhibition of proangiogenic factors), induction of chromosomal abnormalities, and mitotic catastrophe.