Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41992383›Full record

ArticleJournal of cannabis research2026

In silico receptor binding and ex vivo nasal epithelial membrane permeation studies of selected phytocannabinoids.

Suzanne E Van Niekerk, Theunis Cloete, Frank Van der Kooy, Josias H Hamman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cannabis research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Suzanne E Van NiekerkCentre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa. suzaevn@gmail.com.
Theunis CloeteCentre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
Frank Van der KooyCentre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
Josias H HammanCentre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHeadache disorders, specifically migraine headaches, are highly debilitating neurological disorders, with the potential to incapacitate an individual for several hours. Cannabinoid receptors are present in both peripheral and central nervous tissue, which serve as a potential target for the treatment of migraine. Cannabis sativa is a medicinal plant that has been used as self-medication for the treatment of headaches, but insufficient scientific information is currently available regarding their interactions with receptors, as well as intranasal delivery. The intranasal route of administration offers the potential for systemic delivery, as well as delivery into the brain. Nose-to-brain delivery offers a pathway directly to the brain via olfactory epithelium and trigeminal nerves and bypasses both the first-pass metabolism and the blood-brain-barrier (BBB).

methodsKnown phytochemicals of C. sativa were docked in silico into the active site of the 6KPC crystal structure of the cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor to screen for receptor affinity. Ex vivo permeation studies were done on these four selected cannabinoid compounds across excised sheep nasal epithelial tissue.

resultsFour cannabinoid compounds were identified with affinity for the CB2 receptor that may provide activity against migraine, namely cannabicyclol, cannabidiolic acid, cannabicitran and cannabielsoin. The ex vivo membrane permeation results revealed that some of the cannabinoids can be delivered to a similar extent than moderately permeable model drugs across nasal epithelium for systemic delivery and potentially also for direct nose-to-brain delivery.

conclusionThrough affinity for the CB2 receptor, the identified compounds have shown potential in migraine treatment. There is also potential for nose-to-brain delivery.

Indexed as

Cannabinoid receptor type 2Cannabis sativaComputer-aided drug designEx vivo permeationIntranasal drug deliveryMigraineReceptor docking

Identifiers

PMID41992383
PMCPMC13104410

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.