Cannabidiol Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Olsalazine and Cyclosporine in a Murine Model of Colitis

Dinesh Thapa; Mohan Patil; Leon N. Warne; Rodrigo Carlessi; Marco Falasca

doi:10.3390/ijms26167913

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Cannabidiol Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Olsalazine and Cyclosporine in a Murine Model of Colitis

Journal article

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Cannabidiol Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Olsalazine and Cyclosporine in a Murine Model of Colitis

Dinesh Thapa, Mohan Patil, Leon N. Warne, Rodrigo Carlessi and Marco Falasca

International journal of molecular sciences, Vol.26(16), 7913

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167913

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Abstract

cannabidiol

IBD

DSS-induced colitis

olsalazine

cyclosporine

combination therapy

inflammation

cytokines

Current therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as olsalazine and cyclosporine, often exhibit limited long-term efficacy and are associated with adverse effects. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, shows promise for its anti-inflammatory properties, though its effectiveness as a monotherapy remains inconclusive. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of combining low-dose CBD (10 mg/kg) with olsalazine (50 mg/kg) or cyclosporine (2.5, 5 mg/kg) in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis models in mice. Disease severity was assessed via disease activity index (DAI), colon morphology, cytokine and chemokine expression, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, systemic inflammatory markers, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulation. Safety evaluations included haematology and plasma biochemistry. DSS-treated mice showed elevated DAI scores, colon shortening, heightened inflammation, and organ enlargement. Combination therapies significantly ameliorated colitis, reducing DAI, MPO activity, and inflammatory cytokines, while restoring colon length and GLP-1 levels—without inducing liver or kidney toxicity. These findings demonstrate that combining a low dose of CBD with standard IBD drugs enhances therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects, supporting its integration into future combination strategies for more effective and safer IBD management.

Details

Title: Cannabidiol Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Olsalazine and Cyclosporine in a Murine Model of Colitis
Authors/Creators: Dinesh Thapa - Curtin University
Mohan Patil - Curtin University
Leon N. Warne
Rodrigo Carlessi - Curtin University
Marco Falasca - University of Parma
Publication Details: International journal of molecular sciences, Vol.26(16), 7913
Publisher: MDPI
Number of pages: 31
Grant note: Little Green Pharma Ltd., Perth, Australia
Identifiers: 991005807944307891
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.100 Substance Abuse; 1.100.625 Cannabinoids
Web Of Science research areas: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas: Chemistry