Abstract
Since cannabinoids have high lipophilic properties, they could interact with biomembranes. As a result, there have been considerable hypotheses that some effects of the cannabinoids are caused by nonspecifie and specific interactions with biomembranes. This review describes the interactions of the cannabinoids with biomembranes and some enzymes (membrane integrity and fluidity, ATPase, drug metabolizing enzymes, adenylate cyclase and cannabinoid receptor) for understanding the action mechanism of the cannabinoids as model compounds of high lipophilic drugs. To understand the mechanism, it is important to distinguish nonspecific and specific interactions of the cannabinoids with biomembranes. Development of an assay system which is closely associated with psychoactivity of the cannabinoids will be also essential for understanding the mechanism.
