Study: CBD Shown to Reduce Placental Inflammation in Research Using Human Tissue

The study examined how CBD influences inflammation triggered by lipopolysaccharide exposure in term placenta explants and primary trophoblast cells. Investigators measured changes in cytokine levels and looked closely at receptor activity and key signaling pathways to determine how CBD exerts its effects. Researchers found that CBD significantly reduced several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-18, and that it did so in a concentration-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity. Antagonists for CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 did not reverse these effects, suggesting that CBD’s action occurred through other mechanisms. The study also documented reduced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, while caspase-1 activity and related transcripts remained unchanged, indicating that the anti-inflammatory response did not rely on the canonical inflammasome pathway.

The authors say the findings underline the importance of understanding CBD’s developmental implications, especially as more people use non-psychoactive cannabinoids during pregnancy.