The Endocannabinoid Analgesic Entourage Effect: Investigations in Cultured DRG Neurons

Abstract Background: The endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) exerts dose-related anti-nociceptive effects, which are potentiated by the related but inactive 2-palmitoyl glycerol (2-PG) and 2-linoleoyl glycerol (2-LG). This potentiation of analgesia and other in vivo measures was described as the “entourage effect”. We investigated this effect on TRPV1 signalling in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) nociceptors. Methods: Adult rat DRG neurons were cultured in medium containing NGF and GDNF at 37°C. 48 h later cultures were loaded with 2 µM Fura2AM