Scientists working on cannabisbased painkillers

NEWDELHI: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) are working with two compounds derived from cannabis to create potential drugs for treating epilepsy and extreme pain in cancer patients.

The drug will contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two of the nearly 120 components of cannabis.

“There is a lot of misconception about cannabis owing mainly to its abuse because of its psychotropic component, THC. But the two compounds are also very effective for pain relief,” said Dr Ram Vishwakarma, director, IIIM, a central institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

For the cancer drug, IIIM is looking at a combination of both THC and CBD.

“For effective pain relief for cancer patients, both the components are needed as one is effective for pain originating in the central nervous system and the other for the pain of the peripheral nervous system,” said Dr Vishwakarma.

The institute has carried out some animal trials that have shown the combination to be very effective and “the pill” is ready for a clinical trial, he said.

The organisation has already written to the Drug Controller General of India for necessary permissions. Once granted, the trial will be conducted at the Tata Memorial Centre.

“It will be a randomised trial where some patients will be given a placebo, some the drug with the isolated active ingredient, and some the cannabinoid oil along with some herbs to enhance its effect. These will be given along with approved treatments and we will look at the pain management and antiemetic (drug against vomiting) properties,” said Dr RA Badwe, director, Tata Memorial Centre.

IIIM HAS CARRIED OUT SOME ANIMAL TRIALS THAT HAVE SHOWN THE COMBINATION OF THC AND CBD TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE