Unveiling the Relationship between Cannabidiol, Apo-lipoprotein and Neurological Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Molecular Targets and Current Findings

Cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana, has been historically used for medicinal and recreational purposes. It has been employed in the treatment of neurological conditions. Cannabidiol (CBD), the active component of cannabis, has shown therapeutic effects and has been studied extensively for its potential benefits in various neurological disorders using preclinical models. The objective of this review is to consolidate current research on CBD and its association with Apo-lipoprotein (ApoE) and other targets related to neurodegenerative diseases. A comprehensive search of the PubMed Scopus and google scholar databases was conducted using keywords such as CBD, Microglia activation, astrocytes, ApoE, mammalian target of Rapamycin and wingless-related integration site expression. The available evidence suggests that CBD does not significantly affect the endocannabinoid system, except in vitro at high concentrations, thereby generating considerable interest in its therapeutic potential. However, the current physiological targets for CBD are challenging to exploit for neurological treatment, leading to uncertain clinical findings. In certain cases, there is minimal or no correlation between the disease and the identified targets. This review examines the classic receptors, neurotransmitters and pathways associated with both ApoE and CBD. Additionally, several interconnected targets of CBD have been discovered that exhibit a relationship with a specific ApoE, rather than merely triggering its action. Various molecular targets of CBD have been identified for specific neurodegenerative diseases, playing a central role in the ApoE system.