Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Potential of Cannabidiol in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Integrative Review

Diego Magalhães Silva; Gabriella Nunes Ferreira; Salvatore Neto Papaccioli; Yasmim Maria V. Coutinho; José Marcos Dantas; Leonardo Vitor  Gomes; Flávia Gonçalves Vasconcelos; Sarah Ribeiro Issy; Fabiana Silva Gomes; José Luis Rodrigues Martins

doi:10.21664/2238-8869.2025v14i4.8362

Authors

Diego Magalhães Silva Universidade Evangélica de Goiás - UniEVANGÉLICA https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3919-5913
Gabriella Nunes Ferreira Universidade Evangélica de Goiás - UniEVANGÉLICA https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1081-5450
Salvatore Neto Papaccioli Universidade Evangélica de Goiás - UniEVANGÉLICA https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6814-5252
Yasmim Maria V. Coutinho Universidade Evangélica de Goiás - UniEVANGÉLICA https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0491-0226
José Marcos Dantas Universidade Evangélica de Goiás - UniEVANGÉLICA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0883-8396
Leonardo Vitor Gomes Universidade de Rio Verde - UNIRV https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6559-8566
Flávia Gonçalves Vasconcelos University of Rio Verde, UNIRV https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2370-5954
Sarah Ribeiro Issy Associação Goiana de Apoio e Pesquisa à Cannabis Medicinal (AGAPE Medicinal) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4578-8017
Fabiana Silva Gomes Universidade Evangélica de Goiás - UniEVANGÉLICA https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9012-7797
José Luis Rodrigues Martins Universidade Evangélica de Goiás- UniEVANGÉLICA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3516-5350

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21664/2238-8869.2025v14i4.8362

Keywords:

rheumatoid arthritis, cannabidiol, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, systemic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the peripheral joints, causing pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, and extra-articular manifestations. Its pathogenesis involves genetic, hormonal, and immunological factors, with the participation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and metabolic mediators. Conventional treatment includes the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), with methotrexate being the primary choice. However, these drugs have limitations due to adverse effects and prolonged use. In this context, cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), emerge as a promising therapeutic alternative due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and immunomodulatory properties, without the psychoactive effects associated with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The literature shows growing scientific and clinical interest in the use of Cannabis sativa L. derivatives, including drugs such as Sativex® and Epidiolex®, as well as synthetic compounds, for the treatment of pain and regulation of the immune system in inflammatory diseases such as RA.

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