Cannabinoids in Orofacial Pain - A Scoping Review

Authors

  • Caio Vieira de Barros Arato Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Luciane Miranda Guerra Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Daniella Pilon Muknicka Universidade Santo Amaro
  • Daniel Silva Abrahão Universidade Federal de São Paulo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58731/2965-0771.2024.51

Keywords:

Cannabis, Facial Pain, Marihuana Medicinal

Abstract

Background: Safe, effective cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa L. show promise as complementary therapy for chronic/acute pain, inflammation, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Objective: The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature on the use of cannabinoids in the management of orofacial pain. Methods: This scoping review investigates the use of cannabinoids to treat orofacial pain. It focused on scientific articles published in indexed journals with no date limit from PubMed/MEDLINE. Researchers defined a guiding question ("treatment with cannabinoids for orofacial pain?") and excluded non-centralized studies, editorials, and non-indexed journals. Reviewers independently selected studies and extracted key data for further analysis. Results: Although 833 articles were considered, only 11 met criteria (mostly recent systematic reviews). These studies originated from various countries with a focus on research from the past few years (2021-2022). Conclusion: Cannabinoids show promise for orofacial pain due to pain relief and inflammation reduction, but more research is needed.

References

Li J, Carvajal R, Bruner L, Kaminski NE. The current understanding of the benefits, safety, and regulation of cannabidiol in consumer products. Food Chem Toxicol. 2021;157:112600.

Mlost J, Bryk M, Starowicz K. Cannabidiol for Pain Treatment: Focus on Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(22):8870.

Grossman S, Tan H, Gadiwalla Y. Cannabis and orofacial pain: a systematic review. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022;60(5):e677-e690.

Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, et al. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Ann Intern Med. 2018;169(7):467-473.

Munn Z, Peters MDJ, Stern C, Tufanaru C, McArthur A, Aromataris E. Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2018;18(1):143.

Grossman S, Tan H, Gadiwalla Y. Cannabis and orofacial pain: a systematic review. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022;60(5):e677-e690. doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2021.06.005

Votrubec C, Tran P, Lei A, et al. Cannabinoid therapeutics in orofacial pain management: a systematic review. Aust Dent J. 2022;67(4):314-327.

Crescente G, Minervini G, Spagnuolo C, Moccia S. Cannabis Bioactive Compound-Based Formulations: New Perspectives for the Management of Orofacial Pain. Molecules. 2023; 28(1):106.

McDonough P, McKenna JP, McCreary C, Downer EJ. Neuropathic orofacial pain: cannabinoids as a therapeutic avenue. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2014;55:72-78.

Hossain MZ, Ando H, Unno S, Kitagawa J. Targeting Peripherally Restricted Cannabinoid Receptor 1, Cannabinoid Receptor 2, and Endocannabinoid-Degrading Enzymes for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Including Neuropathic Orofacial Pain. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(4):1423.

Haviv Y, Georgiev O, Gaver-Bracha T, et al. Reduced Endocannabinoid Tone in Saliva of Chronic Orofacial Pain Patients. Molecules. 2022;27(14):4662.

Heiliczer S, Wilensky A, Gaver T, et al. Salivary Endocannabinoid Profiles in Chronic Orofacial Pain and Headache Disorders: An Observational Study Using a Novel Tool for Diagnosis and Management. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(21):13017.

Vivanco-Estela AN, Dos-Santos-Pereira M, Guimaraes FS, Del-Bel E, Nascimento GCD. Cannabidiol has therapeutic potential for myofascial pain in female and male parkinsonian rats. Neuropharmacology. 2021;196:108700.

Almeida RT, Romero TR, Romero MG, de Souza GG, Perez AC, Duarte ID. Endocannabinoid mechanism for orofacial antinociception induced by electroacupuncture in acupoint St36 in rats. Pharmacol Rep. 2016;68(6):1095-1101.

Pereira EWM, Heimfarth L, Santos TK, et al. Limonene, a citrus monoterpene, non-complexed and complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin attenuates acute and chronic orofacial nociception in rodents: Evidence for involvement of the PKA and PKC pathway. Phytomedicine. 2022;96:153893.

Pereira SR, Tello Velasquez J, Duggan S, et al. Recent advances in the understanding of the aetiology and therapeutic strategies in burning mouth syndrome: Focus on the actions of cannabinoids. Eur J Neurosci. 2022;55(4):1032-1050.

Golanska P, Saczuk K, Domarecka M, Kuć J, Lukomska-Szymanska M. Temporomandibular Myofascial Pain Syndrome-Aetiology and Biopsychosocial Modulation. A Narrative Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 23;18(15):7807.

Downloads

Published

2025-02-25

How to Cite

1.
Vieira de Barros Arato C, Miranda Guerra L, Pilon Muknicka D, Silva Abrahão D. Cannabinoids in Orofacial Pain - A Scoping Review. RBCan [Internet]. 2025 Feb. 25 [cited 2025 May 9];3(1):13. Available from: https://revistacannabis.med.br/sbec/article/view/51

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2024): V. 3 n. 1 (2024): Revista Brasileira de Cannabis

Section

Artigos de revisão

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Brasileira de Cannabis

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.