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Nadia Peyravian,1 Sapna Deo,1 Sylvia Daunert,1 Joaquin J Jimenez1,2 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; 2Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USACorrespondence: Joaquin J Jimenez, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA, Tel +1 305 243 6586, Email j.jimenez@med.miami.eduAbstract: Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States and affects approximately 85% of people ages 12– 24. As a multifactorial disease, the pathogenesis of acne involves overproduction of sebum, irregular shedding of the cutaneous cells, accretion of Cutibacterium acnes at the pilosebaceous unit, and inflammation. To date, conventional therapies for acne include topical retinoids, over-the-counter bactericidal agents, and systematic treatments, such as oral antibiotics and isotretinoin. However, the potential for significant side effects and risk of antibiotic resistance remain limitations in these therapies, in turn reducing patient compliance and adherence to acne treatment regimens. Therefore, the use of natural plant-derived treatments or phytotherapeutics as an alternative or adjuvant to conventional treatments is attractive to patients due to their safety and minimal risk for side effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid of the Cannabis sativa (hemp) plant. The therapeutic use of CBD has been implicated in many diseases with an inflammatory aspect, including cancers, neurodegeneration, immunological disorders, and dermatological diseases. However, the use of CBD for acne treatment remains a novel window of opportunity. Herein, we summarize the available and relevant data, highlighting the potential use of CBD in acne for its anti-inflammatory properties. To that extent, CBD and other cannabis constituents such as cannabis seeds were found to reduce inflammation and expression of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-1β when evaluated in acne-like conditions. Treatment with these cannabis extracts was also found to be safe and well tolerated, further strengthening the prospect of CBD as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic for acne.Keywords: cannabidiol, CBD, acne, inflammation, therapeutic

Nadia Peyravian,1,2 Sapna Deo,1,2 Sylvia Daunert,1– 3 Joaquin J Jimenez1,2,4 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; 2Dr. JT Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; 3University of Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Miami, FL, USA; 4Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USACorrespondence: Joaquin J Jimenez; Sylvia DaunertDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15th Street, Miami, FL 33136, USATel +1 305 243 6586Email j.jimenez@med.miami.edu; sdaunert@med.miami.eduAbstract: The immune-suppressive effects of cannabidiol (CBD) are attributed to the modulation of essential immunological signaling pathways and receptors. Mechanistic understanding of the pharmacological effects of CBD emphasizes the therapeutic potential of CBD as a novel immune modulator. Studies have observed that the antagonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 reverse the immunomodulatory effects of CBD. CBD also inhibits critical activators of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway, as well as the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor signaling pathway, in turn decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, CBD protects against cellular damage incurred during immune responses by modulating adenosine signaling. Ultimately, the data overwhelmingly support the immunosuppressive effects of CBD and this timely review draws attention to the prospective development of CBD as an effective immune modulatory therapeutic.Keywords: cannabidiol, CBD, immune modulation, CB1 and CB2 receptors, TRPV1, JAK/STAT, inflammasome

Nadia Peyravian,1 Sapna Deo,1 Sylvia Daunert,1 Joaquin J Jimenez1,2 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; 2Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USACorrespondence: Joaquin J JimenezDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1011 NW 15th Street, Miami, FL 33136, USATel +1 305 243 6586Email j.jimenez@med.miami.eduAbstract: Male and female pattern hair loss (MPHL and FPHL, respectively), is the most common cause of hair loss affecting nearly 80 million people in the US, yet treatment options remain limited and lacking. As the need for more effective therapeutics remains unmet, this perspective offers a unique angle by directing attention to the inflammatory aspect of MPHL and FPHL. Evidence and implications of inflammation as a characteristic feature of MPHL and FPHL are highlighted through evaluation of clinical and quantitative data. Comparable results suggest the presence of significant perifollicular inflammatory infiltrates, such as lymphocytes and histiocytes, as well as the involvement of inflammatory genes, such as CASP7 and TNF, in the presentation of MPHL and FPHL. Resurfacing of the inflammatory aspect in MPHL and FPHL pathogenesis will advance future developments in MPHL and FPHL therapeutic options.Keywords: hair loss, inflammation, male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness

A sensitive and selective sensing system for chlorocatechols (3-chlorocatechol and 4-chlorocatechol) was developed based on Pseudomonas putida bacteria harboring the plasmid pSMM50R-B'. In this plasmid, the regulatory protein of the clc operon, ClcR, controls the expression of the reporter enzyme (beta)-galactosidase. When bacteria containing components of the clc operon are grown in the presence of chlorocatechols, ClcR activates the clcA promoter, which is located upstream from the (beta)-galactosidase gene. Thus, the concentration of chlorocatechols can be related to the production of (beta)-galactosidase in the bacteria. The concentration of (beta)-galactosidase expressed in the bacteria was determined by measuring the chemiluminescence signal emitted with the use of a 1,2-dioxetane substrate. ClcR has a high specificity for chlorocatechols and provides the sensing system with high selectivity. This was demonstrated by evaluating several structurally related organic compounds as potential interfering agents. Both 3-chlorocatechol and 4-chlorocatechol can be detected with this sensing system at concentrations as low as 8 x 10(super -10) and 2 x 10(super -9) M, respectively, using a 2-h induction period. In the case of 3-chlorocatechol, a highly selective sensing system was developed that can detect this species at concentrations as low as 6 x 10(super -8) M after a 5-min induction period; the presence of 4-chlorocatechol at concentrations as high as 2 x 10(super -4) M did not interfere with this system.