What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Pain, Inflammation.

Where was this research published?

Published in Psychopharmacology on September 3, 2026.

CBG and full-spectrum extract ease inflammatory pain in rats

Q: What did this research study find?

In an acute inflammatory pain test, both *CBG* and FULL reduced pain-related behaviors early on, but **only FULL produced sustained relief** during the later phase.

Cannabigerol and standardized full-spectrum cannabis extract effects in acute and chronic inflammatory pain models.

Psychopharmacology • September 3, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This preclinical study tested cannabigerol (CBG) and a standardized full-spectrum cannabis extract (FULL) in male rats with acute or chronic inflammatory pain. Both treatments reduced pain-related behaviors during the early phase of the acute test, while only FULL maintained relief during the later phase. In the chronic pain model, a single dose was ineffective, but repeated treatment at the highest tested doses improved sensitivity to mechanical stimulation.

FULL at 10 mg/kg began producing pain relief by day 10, while CBG at 10 mg/kg restored baseline sensitivity from day 15 onward, suggesting faster relief with FULL and a more sustained effect with CBG. Both treatments also prevented some inflammation-related motor impairment and reduced elevated TNF-α in the spinal cord and blood, although the increase in TNF-α within the dorsal root ganglia persisted. IL-10 levels were unchanged. Because this was a rat study and the abstract provides no quantitative effect sizes, the findings are encouraging but cannot yet establish effectiveness or dosing for cannabis users.

💡 Key Findings

In an acute inflammatory pain test, both CBG and FULL reduced pain-related behaviors early on, but only FULL produced sustained relief during the later phase.

Moderate

50%

Repeated treatment, rather than a single dose, improved mechanical pain sensitivity in the chronic inflammatory pain model. FULL at 10 mg/kg acted earlier, while CBG at 10 mg/kg produced a more prolonged restoration of baseline sensitivity.

Moderate

50%

Both cannabinoid treatments reduced elevated TNF-α in the spinal cord and plasma, but TNF-α remained elevated in the dorsal root ganglia, indicating region-specific inflammatory effects.

Moderate

50%

The study supports analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects for both formulations in rats, while IL-10 levels were unaffected.

Moderate

45%

📄 Original Abstract

Chronic inflammatory pain is associated with persistent sensory and immune dysregulation. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of two cannabinoids formulations-Cannabigerol (CBG) and Standardized Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract (FULL) in a preclinical model of acute and Chronic inflammatory pain and examined their effects on peripheral and central inflammatory mediators. Cannabinoid analgesic effects were assessed in male Wistar Hannover rats using acute (formalin) and chronic inflammatory pain (CFA) models. Treatments were administered at different doses before the formalin test and after CFA as a single dose or once daily for 21 days. Motor function and inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-10) were evaluated using actimeter test and ELISA. In the formalin test, both cannabinoids reduced nociceptive behaviors during Phase I, whereas only FULL produced sustained analgesia during Phase II. In the chronic model, single administration produced no significant effects; while repeated treatment (highest doses) improved mechanical thresholds. FULL (10 mg/kg) produced earlier analgesic effects (day 10), while CBG (10 mg/kg) fully restored baseline sensitivity from day 15 onward. In locomotor assessments, both compounds prevented CFA-induced motor impairments, except at the lowest CBG dose. CFA increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and plasma. Both cannabinoids prevented the CFA-induced increase in TNF-α levels in the spinal cord and plasma. Elevated TNF-α in the DRG persisted despite treatment, indicating region-specific regulation. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were unaffected. Both cannabinoids exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, with FULL providing faster acute relief and CBG produced a more prolonged antinociceptive effect.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Psychopharmacology
Published: September 3, 2026
PMID: 42690319
DOI: 10.1007/s00213-026-07156-y

Authors (11)

Daniela Escobar-Espinal Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Thaís Antonia Alves Fernandes Department of Physiology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rafaela Ponciano Department of Physiology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Lorena Borges Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Bianca Andretto de Mattos Department of Physiology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
+6 more authors