The effect of cannabidiol in prevention of brain edema and damages caused by transient model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Cellular and molecullar pathophysiological events elicit ischemic injuries during cerebral ischemia, which the most prominent processes are inflammatory and oxidative stress. Cannabidiol, non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, exerts cerebroprotective through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in different models of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the neuroprotective effects of this compound in cerebral ischemia model are not unexpected. In the present study, we have attempted to investigate the effect of cannabidiol on ischemic damages development especially brain edema. Rats were divided randomly into 6 main groups. Using stereotaxic surgery, guide cannula was implanted in the lateral ventricle. Cannabidiol (50, 100, and 200 ng) was administrated for 5 consecutive days through intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. After pretreatment, the rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After 24 h reperfusion neurological deficit scores (NDS), infarct volume (IV), and brain water content were assessed. The present results indicate that in the MCAO-induced cerebral ischemia, administration of cannabidiol (100 and 200 ng) caused a remarkable reduction in NDS and IV, and brain edema in comparison with the vehicle group. The results achieved herein express that cannabidiol possibly ameliorate ischemic injuries, which occur as infarction by reducing the brain water content and neurological defects.