The properties of CBD (Cannabidiol) in bone fractures

The research community has extended the areas of exploration related to the therapeutic potentials of Cannabidiol, two preclinical studies have analyzed the properties of CBD in the treatment of bone fractures.

Amongst the more than 100 phytocannabinoids identified in the Cannabis plant up to now, CBD is one of the best known and most studied by research.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 chemical compounds derived from the cannabis plant. These compounds are known as cannabinoids and have a similar molecular structure to the endocannabinoid hormones produced inside the human body.

Cannabidiol (CBD) modulates some mechanisms that already exist and are in place in our body. In essence, when an imbalance or decompensation occurs in our body, the modulation provided by cannabidiol (CBD) - which acts, for example, on the immune system or indirectly on an inflammatory process - tends to restore the original balance.

Thus, cannabidiol (CBD) involves an indirect modulation of a disruption of the human endocannabinoid system caused by disease or trauma.

Endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system present in the human body that acts on the regulation of a wide variety of both physiological and cognitive processes, such as appetite, feeling of pain or mood.

It is composed of a number of specific receptors that interact with cannabinoids. Cannabinoid receptors are therefore like mailboxes that receive information from cannabinoids, "messengers" that act in our body, and are divided into two types, called CB1 and CB2.

CBD and bone fractures

The findings of the study conducted in 2015 by the Bone Laboratory of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on mice with femoral fractures, would support an increased recovery of the biomechanical features of the bones after a therapy of eight weeks.  

The Study of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

“Cannabidiol, a Major Non-Psychotropic Cannabis Constituent Enhances Fracture Healing and Stimulates Lysyl Hydroxylase Activity in Osteoblasts” is the title of the publication in which it is demonstrated how “the main non-psychotropic constituent of cannabis is cannabidiol (CBD)".
During the eight weeks of research, the mice were divided by groups and treated with different kinds of therapies.   

A first group was treated with CBD and THC, the two cannabinoids working in synergy,did not show significant results in the improvement of bone fractures.

According to the researchers the most interesting results were obtained when CBD acting “alone” was observed

“..cannabidiol (CBD), improves the biomechanical properties of healing rat mid-femoral fractures. The maximal load and work-to-failure, but not the stiffness, of femurs from rats treated with a mixture of CBD and THC for 8 weeks, were markedly increased by CBD”.

CBD proves effective in enhancing crosslinking collagen, a very important protein, permitting improvement of the biomechanical properties of the callus, forming itself after fracture repair.

The rats, divided in three groups, have demonstrated promising ‘general’ results, as the researchers discovered how CBD could increase the mRNA levels of lysine hydroxylation, which is involved in the formation of bridging across the fracture gap. Hence, Cannabidiol would have a beneficial effect not only on the specific fracture but also on other components of the organism.

Cannabinoids and contrasting pain in bone diseases

Arthritis is a bone pathology, which literally means “painful joints”. It can have different forms and features and is a term with which a macro-category is indicated in which over 200 diseases exist.    

A study conducted at the Oxford Science Park, published in Rheumatology in 2005 has examined patients affected my rheumatoid arthritis, to whom a Cannabis extract was administered containing mainly THC and CBD.

After five weeks of treatment, the patients reported a significant improvement with regards to pain and mobility and, in addition, a significant improvement in the quality of sleep.

A more recent study, “The non-psychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an oral anti-arthritic therapeutic in murine collagen-induced arthritis” assesses the role of CBD in the treatment of this pathology. Taken orally, Cannabidiol would contribute to soothing pain caused by Arthritis. 

“The dosage showed a bell-shaped curve, with an optimum effect at 25mg / kg daily, orally. The clinical improvement has been associated with the protection of the joints against severe damage”.

CBD, due to its combined immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory actions, has a strong anti-arthritic effect.