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Frontiers in veterinary science2024; 11; 1496473; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1496473

Role of cannabidiolic acid or the combination of cannabigerol/cannabidiol in pain modulation and welfare improvement in horses with chronic osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid obtained from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) used for pain management in companion animals including horses. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabigerol/cannabidiol oil (CBG/CBD) oral administration in alleviating pain in adult horses affected by chronic osteoarthritis (OA). Twenty-four horses (10 geldings and 14 mares), aged between 11 and 18 years old, were equally divided into two groups. One group received CBDA 15% oil and the other group received CBG/CBD oil (CBG20%-CBD10%) for 14 consecutive days. A standard dose of 0.07 mg/kg was chosen based on the mean body weight of 450 ± 28 kg. Horse Chronic Pain Scale (HCPS) and physiological parameters monitoring heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), arterial blood pressure (systolic arterial pressure- SAP, diastolic arterial pressure- DAP) were assessed before (T0) and every day for the entire administration (T1-T14). Blood samples were collected for the evaluation of complete hemogram, Leukocyte subpopulation identification and counting and leukocyte differentiation antigens CD4 and CD8 at the day before the administration (T0) and every 7 days (T7 and T14). A reduction of HCPS pain scale scores and the number of WBC, monocytes and neutrophils and CD8 was observed with both CBDA and CBG/CBD treatment. No statistical differences were found in the physiological parameters. No subject required rescue analgesia or showed any adverse effects. The results of this study showed that oral administration of both CBDA and CBG/CBD oil may promote pain reduction in adult horses affected by chronic OA.
Publication Date: 2024-12-10 PubMed ID: 39720409PubMed Central: PMC11668182DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1496473Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of specific cannabis-derived compounds in alleviating pain associated with chronic osteoarthritis in adult horses. The results show that oral administration of cannabidiolic acid and a combination of cannabigerol/cannabidiol oil may help in reducing pain in horses diagnosed with this condition.

Understanding the Study

In this research:

  • The researchers studied the efficacy of two specific cannabis-derived compounds: cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and a combination of cannabigerol and cannabidiol (CBG/CBD) oil in relieving pain associated with chronic osteoarthritis (OA) in horses.
  • The study was conducted on 24 horses aged between 11 to 18 years old, with 10 geldings and 14 mares. These horses were equally divided into two groups: one group received CBDA 15% oil and the other received CBG/CBD oil with a composition of 20% CBG and 10% CBD for 14 consecutive days.
  • These compounds were administered orally at a standard dose calculated based on a mean body weight of 450 kg, with the dosage being 0.07 mg/kg of body weight.

Measurements and Observations

The following aspects were assessed during the study:

  • The Horse Chronic Pain Scale (HCPS), and physiological parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic arterial pressure and diastolic arterial pressure were monitored daily.
  • Blood samples were collected for the evaluation of complete hemogram, leukocyte subpopulation identification and counting, and leukocyte differentiation antigens CD4 and CD8 on the day before the administration started and thereafter on days 7 and 14.
  • A decrease in the HCPS pain scale scores, the number of white blood cells (WBC), monocytes, and neutrophils, as well as the CD8 antigen was observed in association with both CBDA and CBG/CBD treatment.
  • No apparent changes were observed in the measured physiological parameters.

Key Outcomes and Implications

Based on their observations, researchers concluded:

  • Both CBDA and CBG/CBD did not cause any adverse effects, and no horse required any form of rescue analgesia, indicating that these treatments were well-tolerated and safe.
  • The oral administration of both CBDA and CBG/CBD oil showed potential in promoting pain reduction in adult horses affected by chronic osteoarthritis.
  • This finding suggests possibilities for implementing alternative treatments in veterinary medicine, specifically for pain related to chronic conditions such as OA in horses. Nonetheless, further research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms and potential long-term effects.

Cite This Article

APA
Aragona F, Tabbì M, Gugliandolo E, Giannetto C, D'Angelo F, Fazio F, Interlandi C. (2024). Role of cannabidiolic acid or the combination of cannabigerol/cannabidiol in pain modulation and welfare improvement in horses with chronic osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci, 11, 1496473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1496473

Publication

ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 1496473

Researcher Affiliations

Aragona, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Tabbì, Marco
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Gugliandolo, Enrico
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Giannetto, Claudia
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
D'Angelo, Fabiola
  • Independent Practitioner, Varese, Italy.
Fazio, Francesco
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Interlandi, Claudia
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

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