Beschreibung:
<jats:p>In traditional medicine, <jats:italic toggle="yes">Cannabis sativa</jats:italic> has been prescribed for a variety of diseases. Today, the plant is largely known for its recreational purpose, but it may find a way back to what it was originally known for: a herbal remedy. Most of the plant's ingredients, such as Δ<jats:sup>9</jats:sup>-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabigerol, and others, have demonstrated beneficial effects in preclinical models of intestinal inflammation. Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) have shown a regulatory role in inflammation and mucosal permeability of the gastrointestinal tract where they likely interact with the gut microbiome. Anecdotal reports suggest that in humans, <jats:italic toggle="yes">Cannabis</jats:italic> exerts antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antidiarrheal properties. Despite these reports, strong evidence on beneficial effects of <jats:italic toggle="yes">Cannabis</jats:italic> in human gastrointestinal diseases is lacking. Clinical trials with <jats:italic toggle="yes">Cannabis</jats:italic> in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have shown improvement in quality of life but failed to provide evidence for a reduction of inflammation markers. Within the endogenous opioid system, mu opioid receptors may be involved in anti-inflammation of the gut. Opioids are frequently used to treat abdominal pain in IBD; however, heavy opioid use in IBD is associated with opioid dependency and higher mortality. This review highlights latest advances in the potential treatment of IBD using <jats:italic toggle="yes">Cannabis</jats:italic>/cannabinoids or opioids.</jats:p>