Effects of cannabidiol on vasospasm induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

Objective: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening condition that occurs in the subarachnoid space between the dura mater and pia mater, typically due to head trauma or aneurysm rupture. Cerebral vasospasm, a common complication of SAH, peaks between the fourth and seventh days after the hemorrhage and occurs in approximately 70% of patients. Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated potential therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory properties. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of CBD on vasospasm in rats with induced SAH. Methods: Rats were divided into six groups: non-surgical control group (Group 1), untreated SAH group (Group 2), and groups receiving intraperitoneal injections of 50 ng CBD (Group 3), 100 ng CBD (Group 4), 200 ng CBD (Group 5), or 0.05 mg Nimodipine (Group 6). On the 7th day post-SAH, the rats were euthanized under deep anesthesia for brain tissue collection. Results: Total protein levels increased dose-dependently with CBD treatment, reaching the highest levels in the CBD200 group, indicating neuroprotective effects. IL-1B and IL-6 levels were significantly lower in the CBD-treated groups, especially in the CBD50 group. Glutamate and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were significantly reduced in the CBD-treated groups. Pro-apoptotic markers Caspase 3 (CAS3) and BAX decreased, while the anti-apoptotic marker BCL2 increased. Conclusion: CBD shows potential in reducing the severity of vasospasm and improving outcomes post-SAH, highlighting its importance for future clinical applications.