Journal: ACS Omega

Article Title: Receptor-Selective Modulation of Cannabinoid Signaling by Cardamonin: Integrating Molecular Dynamics, Free Energy Calculations, and Behavioral Validation

doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c10026

Figure Lengend Snippet: Schematic overview of the study design combining computational and behavioral approaches. Cardamonin, a chalcone derivative, was evaluated for its interaction with cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 using molecular dynamics simulations and MM/PBSA analyses. Parallel in vivo behavioral assaysVon Frey and Hargreaves testswere conducted in mice to assess mechanical and thermal antinociception, respectively.

Article Snippet: Cardamonin (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonists SR141716 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) antagonist SR144528 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], Tween 20 and diluted with saline at a ratio of 5:5:90 for intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration.

Techniques: In Vivo

Journal: ACS Omega

Article Title: Receptor-Selective Modulation of Cannabinoid Signaling by Cardamonin: Integrating Molecular Dynamics, Free Energy Calculations, and Behavioral Validation

doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c10026

Figure Lengend Snippet: Docking poses of cardamonin with CB1 (A) and CB2 (B) receptors. (A) Cardamonin binds to CB1 with −8.7 kcal/mol, forming hydrogen bonds (SER 505 , ILE 267 ), hydrophobic contacts (PHE 170 , VAL 196 , LEU 193 , PHE 200 ), and a π-cation interaction (HIS 178 ). (B) In CB2 (−8.0 kcal/mol), cardamonin engages in hydrophobic interactions and a π-stacking (PHE117). Interaction types: hydrogen bonds (blue), hydrophobic (gray dashed), π-cation (orange dashed), π-stacking (green dashed).

Article Snippet: Cardamonin (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonists SR141716 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) antagonist SR144528 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], Tween 20 and diluted with saline at a ratio of 5:5:90 for intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration.

Techniques:

Journal: ACS Omega

Article Title: Receptor-Selective Modulation of Cannabinoid Signaling by Cardamonin: Integrating Molecular Dynamics, Free Energy Calculations, and Behavioral Validation

doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c10026

Figure Lengend Snippet: Hydrogen bond interaction snapshots between cardamonin and cannabinoid receptors CB1 (A) and CB2 (B) at selected time points from molecular dynamics simulations. Each frame corresponds to a representative structure at 100, 250, 500, and 750 ns. Hydrogen bonds are depicted as red dashed lines with annotated distances (Å). In CB1, dynamic repositioning of the ligand allows alternating interactions with residues such as HSD 178 , ILE 267 , PHE 189 , ASP 184 , SER 173 , and LEU 193 . In contrast, the CB2 complex demonstrates a more consistent hydrogen bonding profile, particularly with SER 285 and GLY 284 . These interactions reflect the temporal stability and flexibility of ligand–receptor engagement during the simulation trajectory.

Article Snippet: Cardamonin (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonists SR141716 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) antagonist SR144528 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], Tween 20 and diluted with saline at a ratio of 5:5:90 for intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration.

Techniques:

Journal: ACS Omega

Article Title: Receptor-Selective Modulation of Cannabinoid Signaling by Cardamonin: Integrating Molecular Dynamics, Free Energy Calculations, and Behavioral Validation

doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c10026

Figure Lengend Snippet: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of CB1 and CB2 receptor complexes. (A) PCA projection of CB1 control (black) and cardamonin-bound complex (red) onto the first two principal components. Cardamonin binding induces broader conformational sampling. (B) PCA projection of CB2 control (black) and cardamonin-bound complex (red), showing overlapping conformational space and reduced ligand impact.

Article Snippet: Cardamonin (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonists SR141716 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) antagonist SR144528 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], Tween 20 and diluted with saline at a ratio of 5:5:90 for intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration.

Techniques: Control, Binding Assay, Sampling

Journal: ACS Omega

Article Title: Receptor-Selective Modulation of Cannabinoid Signaling by Cardamonin: Integrating Molecular Dynamics, Free Energy Calculations, and Behavioral Validation

doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c10026

Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (mean ± SEM) in the Von Frey test. SHM and CDM groups displayed high thresholds (normal sensitivity), while VHC, CB1 – , and CB2 – groups exhibited mechanical allodynia. Co-treatment with cardamonin (CDM+CB1 – and CDM+CB2 – ) partially restored pain thresholds. (B) Thermal paw withdrawal latency (mean ± SEM) in the Hargreaves test. SHM group showed normal latency. CB1 – , CB2 – , and VHC groups exhibited thermal hyperalgesia. Cardamonin (CDM) increased latency significantly, and cotreatment with CB1 – or CB2 – partially restored thermal sensitivity.

Article Snippet: Cardamonin (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonists SR141716 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) and selective cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) antagonist SR144528 (MedChemExpress LLC, USA) were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], Tween 20 and diluted with saline at a ratio of 5:5:90 for intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration.

Techniques:

Journal: Chinese Medicine

Article Title: Electroacupuncture exerts antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on atopic dermatitis by activating CB2 receptor

doi: 10.1186/s13020-025-01102-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: EA further promotes the expression of CB2R and modulates endocannabinoid metabolism in AD skin lesions. A Comparative gene expression fold changes (FC) are illustrated on a color scale, with blue indicates underexpression (FC < 2) and yellow indicates overexpression (FC > 2). The comparisons are shown for AD patients’ lesional skin compared to healthy human skin (left panel), and within AD patients between lesional skin (LS) and non-lesional skin (NLS) (right panel). B Expression levels of CNR2 mRNA were determined using RT-qPCR, normalization to GAPDH. C Representative WB diagram for CB2R. D Quantitative analysis of CB2R expression, normalized to α-tubulin. E Immunofluorescence images of skin lesions demonstrate the presence of CB2R (red), while nuclei of the cells were stained using DAPI (blue). Scale bars = 100 μm. F Summary data illustrate the quantity of CB2R + cells located in the dermis of skin lesions. G-H Expression levels of endocannabinoid metabolism-related enzymes, including DAGLβ, NAPE-PLD, MAGL and FAAH mRNA, were assessed via RT-qPCR, normalized to GAPDH. All data are shown as mean ± S.E.M (n = 6 per group). Analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA complemented by Tukey's post hoc test for multiple comparisons, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001

Article Snippet: Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were obtained from Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology and male CB2 receptor knockout (CB2R −/− ) mice on C57BL/6 background aged 6–8 weeks from Jackson Laboratories (Strain #:005786).

Techniques: Expressing, Gene Expression, Over Expression, Quantitative RT-PCR, Immunofluorescence, Staining

Journal: Chinese Medicine

Article Title: Electroacupuncture exerts antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on atopic dermatitis by activating CB2 receptor

doi: 10.1186/s13020-025-01102-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: CB2R knockout mitigates the therapeutic efficacy of EA on AD-like lesions and chronic pruritus. A The protocol regarding the establishment of the AD model, the EA treatment and the detection time of chronic pruritus behavior in WT and CB2R −/− mice. B Time-course of SCORAD scores(n = 8). C Representative images of skin lesions from each group of mice on day8. D Representative H&E staining images of each group. Scale bar = 100 μm. E Quantitative measurement of epidermal thickness based on the H&E images (n = 8). F Total number of scratches performed by mice in each group within one hour on day 8 (n = 12). All data are shown as mean ± S.E.M. Analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA complemented by Sidak's test for multiple comparisons, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001

Article Snippet: Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were obtained from Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology and male CB2 receptor knockout (CB2R −/− ) mice on C57BL/6 background aged 6–8 weeks from Jackson Laboratories (Strain #:005786).

Techniques: Knock-Out, Drug discovery, Staining

Journal: Chinese Medicine

Article Title: Electroacupuncture exerts antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on atopic dermatitis by activating CB2 receptor

doi: 10.1186/s13020-025-01102-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: EA influences mast cell and CD4 + T cell proliferation in AD through CB2R. A Representative toluidine blue–stained images of skin lesions. Scale bars (overview) = 100 μm and scale bars (magnified) = 50 μm. B-D Statistical results of the total number ( B ), the number of degranulation ( C ) and the degranulation rate of mast cells ( D ) (n = 8). E Immunofluorescence images of skin lesions show the CD4 + T cells (green). Nuclei of the cells were stained using DAPI (blue). Scale bars (overview) = 100 μm and scale bars (magnified) = 50 μm F Summarized data present the count of CD4 + T cells within skin sections (n = 6). All data are shown as mean ± S.E.M. Analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA complemented by Sidak's test for multiple comparisons, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001

Article Snippet: Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were obtained from Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology and male CB2 receptor knockout (CB2R −/− ) mice on C57BL/6 background aged 6–8 weeks from Jackson Laboratories (Strain #:005786).

Techniques: Staining, Immunofluorescence

Journal: Chinese Medicine

Article Title: Electroacupuncture exerts antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on atopic dermatitis by activating CB2 receptor

doi: 10.1186/s13020-025-01102-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: EA modulates cytokine release and receptor activation via CB2R and its downstream ERK pathway in AD mice. A Schematic diagram illustrating the procedures for RT-qPCR in each group. B–F Expression levels of IL4, IL13, IL31, IL4R and IL31R mRNA as determined by RT-qPCR, normalized to GAPDH. G Schematic representation of the role of CB2R activation in modulating inflammatory responses by targeting the ERK phosphorylation. H Representative WB results for p-ERK and ERK. I Quantitative assessment of p-ERK levels, with expression levels normalized to ERK. All data are shown as mean ± S.E.M (n = 6 per group). Analysis was performed using Two-way ANOVA complemented by Sidak's test for multiple comparisons, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001

Article Snippet: Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were obtained from Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology and male CB2 receptor knockout (CB2R −/− ) mice on C57BL/6 background aged 6–8 weeks from Jackson Laboratories (Strain #:005786).

Techniques: Activation Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Phospho-proteomics

Journal: Chinese Medicine

Article Title: Electroacupuncture exerts antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on atopic dermatitis by activating CB2 receptor

doi: 10.1186/s13020-025-01102-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: Schematic diagram of this study's findings on the impact of EA on AD Mice. This schematic diagram presents the pathophysiological alterations in AD and the therapeutic interventions of EA treatment. Initially, upon the induction of AD, there is an escalation in the number of mast cells and CD4 + T cells within the skin lesions, along with upregulation of cytokines IL4, IL13, and IL31, and their receptors IL4R and IL31R in the cervical DRG. These changes are linked to the exacerbation of chronic itching and skin inflammation. Despite an upregulation of the CB2R, the endogenous levels are not adequate to effectively inhibit ERK phosphorylation, a key driver of inflammatory processes (left side). In contrast, EA treatment, applied via specific acupoints corresponding to the affected dermatome, initiates a cascade of anti-inflammatory effects. EA stimulates axon reflexes that enhance the synthesis of endocannabinoids and reduce their degradation in the lesional skin tissue. This results in elevated levels of the primary endocannabinoids such as AEA and 2-AG, which in turn upregulate the expression of CB2R. Stimulation of CB2R by endocannabinoids leads to a significant reduction in ERK hyperphosphorylation, an essential process in curbing inflammatory response. As a result, EA treatment diminishes the number of mast cells and CD4 + T cells in lesional skin, reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL4, IL13, and IL31, and decreases the expression of IL4R and IL31R in the cervical DRG. Collectively, these effects contribute to the alleviation of itching and the inhibition of inflammation development (right side)

Article Snippet: Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were obtained from Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology and male CB2 receptor knockout (CB2R −/− ) mice on C57BL/6 background aged 6–8 weeks from Jackson Laboratories (Strain #:005786).

Techniques: Phospho-proteomics, Expressing, Inhibition