Neuroprotective Effects of Cannabidiol Under Cerebral Ischemic Conditions

The lack of blood flow during cerebral ischemic conditions results in multiple and intricate pathophysiological mechanisms including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, white matter injury, and blood–brain barrier impairment. Despite numerous experimental studies that have been conducted in preclinical settings, current treatments for cerebral ischemia including mechanical and pharmacological therapies are limited, and often accompanied by significant side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate new strategies for treating these conditions. Cannabidiol, the most abundant non-psychotomimetic compound obtained from Cannabis sativa L., Cannabaceae, is a pleiotropic compound acting in a variety of molecular targets and may affect many pathophysiological processes resulting in improvement of cerebral ischemia outcomes. In this review, we summarize the main effects of cannabidiol in different animal models of cerebral ischemia and discuss some of its putative mechanisms of neuroprotection.