Evidence-based Potential Therapeutic Applications of Cannabinoids in Wound Management.

Berhanu Geresu Kibret, Sheel Patel, Jonathan Niezgoda, William Guns, Jeffrey Niezgoda, Sandeep Gopalakrishnan, Babak Baban, Paola Cubillos, David Villeneuve, Pritesh Kumar

Journal: Advances in skin & wound care 2022;35(8):447-453

PMID: 35588193

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Although wound management is a major component of all domains of healthcare, conventional therapeutics have numerous limitations. The endocannabinoid system of the skin, one of the major endogenous systems, has recently been connected to wound healing. Cannabinoids and their interactions with the endogenous chemical signaling system may be a promising therapeutic option because they address some of the fundamental pathways for physiologic derangement that underpin chronic integumentary wounds.

RECENT ADVANCES

The therapeutic applications of cannabinoids are increasing because of their legalization and resulting market expansion. Recently, their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties have been explored for the treatment of wounds that are not effectively managed by conventional medicines.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Failure to manage wounds effectively is associated with reduced quality of life, disability, mortality, and increased healthcare expenditures. Therapeutic options that can manage wounds effectively and efficiently are needed. In this review, the authors summarize recent advances on the use of cannabinoids to treat skin disorders with an emphasis on wound management.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Effective wound management requires medicines with good therapeutic outcomes and minimal adverse effects. Despite the promising results of cannabinoids in wound management, further controlled clinical studies are required to establish the definitive role of these compounds in the pathophysiology of wounds and their usefulness in the clinical setting.

Address: Berhanu Geresu Kibret, PhD, is Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey. Sheel Patel, MD, is President and CEO, Chicago Spine and Vascular Institute PC, Munster, Indiana. At the AZH Wound, Hyperbaric & Vascular Centers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jonathan Niezgoda, MS, is Medical Assistant and Hyperbaric Technician; William Guns, BS, is Medical Assistant; and Jeffrey Niezgoda, MD, FACHM, MAPWCA, CWHS, is President and Chief Medical Officer. Sandeep Gopalakrishnan, PhD, MS, DAPWCA, is Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Babak Baban, PhD, is Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Georgia. Paola Cubillos, MD, ND, is Adjunct Professor, Universidad del Rosario and Scientific Lead, Procanncol, Bogotá, Colombia. David Villeneuve, MSc, is Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Functional Genomics Coordinator, Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology, North Bay, Ontario, Canada. Pritesh Kumar, PhD, is Director of Cannabinoid Research, Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology and Director, PhytoSciences GmbH, Switzerland. Acknowledgments: All listed authors gratefully acknowledge the literature services provided by their respective universities. No external funding was received. The authors have disclosed no other financial relationships related to this article. Submitted May 12, 2021; accepted in revised form September 17, 2021.

DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000831920.15801.25

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MeSH Terms: Cannabinoids, Humans, Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy, Quality of Life, Skin, Wound Healing