Cannabis-type drugs could be developed to help treat people with arthritis, British researchers have reported.
The Nottingham University researchers say cannabis may hold the key to relieving pain and reducing inflammation linked to the osteo-arthritis form of the disease.
The findings come from a study of the brain chemicals that interact with cannabis, known as cannabinoid receptors.
Scientists developed a synthetic cannabis-like drug, called JWH133, aimed at one of these chemicals, the cannabinoid receptor2 or CB2.
The findings have been published in the journal PLoS One.
Researcher Professor Victoria Chapman, a neuropharmacologist said there should be more studies of cannabis-related interventions.
She said: "This finding is significant, as spinal and brain pain signalling pathways are known to make a major contribution to pain associated with osteoarthritis."
The medical director of Arthritis Research UK Professor Alan Silman said: "This research does not support the use of recreational cannabis use. What it does suggest is that there is potential to develop a synthetic drug that mimics the behaviour of cannabinoid receptors without causing serious side effects."
Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors Regulate Central Sensitization and Pain Responses Associated with Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint. PLOS One 25 November 2013 [abstract]
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