Abstract

The endogenous canabinoid system (ECS) is involved in the regulation of an important number of central and peripheral physiological effects. Among all these functions, the control of the cellular proliferation has become a focus of major attention as opening new therapeutic possibilities for the use of cannabinoids as potential antitumor agents. The capacity of endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids to induce apoptosis of different tumoral cells in culture and in vivo, the mechanism underlying and the potential therapeutic applications are discussed in this review.

Keywords: endogenous cannabinoid system, cellular proliferation, antitumoral properties of cannabinoids, tumoral cells, cancer