Cannabis-related drugs ‘could help to treat osteoarthritis pain’

Scientists in the UK have developed a new approach to treating osteoarthritis pain using a class of drugs related to cannabis.

Synthetically manufactured cannabinoid compounds have been shown to be able to relieve pain in animal models of osteoarthritis. They work by selectively targeting a molecule involved in pain-sensing, known as cannabinoid receptor 2.

A team at the Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre at the University of Nottingham found that their compound JWH133 delivered a dual beneficial effect for people with osteoarthritis by providing pain relief as well as reducing inflammation in the joint.

This suggests a synthetic drug could be developed that mimics the behaviour of cannabinoid receptors without causing serious side effects.

Victoria Chapman, professor of neuropharmacology, said: "This finding is significant, as spinal and brain pain signalling pathways are known to make a major contribution to pain associated with osteoarthritis."

It is estimated that osteoarthritis affects eight million people the UK, resulting in significant pain and disability for patients.