Treatment of schizophrenia using beta-caryophyllene and cb2 receptor agonists

Abstract

Disclosed are compositions comprising beta-caryophyllene (BCP) for use in the treatment of schizophrenia, methods of making such compositions and methods of treating schizophrenia using BCP. Disclosed are also compositions comprising CB2 receptor agonists for use in the treatment of schizophrenia, methods of making such compositions and methods of treating schizophrenia using CB2 receptor agonists.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating schizophrenia in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutic composition comprising a CB2 receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically effective carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CB2 receptor agonist comprises HU308. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said schizophrenia is selected from the group consisting of paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, undifferentiated schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, and residual schizophrenia. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said treating comprises treating at least one negative symptom of schizophrenia. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an average daily amount of said CB2 receptor agonist administered is from about 0.4 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutically effective carrier comprises dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering comprises injecting said composition to said subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering comprises orally administering said composition to said subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising co-administering at least one additional antipsychotic agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one additional antipsychotic agent is selected from the group consisting of chlorpromazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, fluphenazine, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, and paliperidone. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one additional antipsychotic agent is co-administered in a single dosage form together with said CB2 receptor agonist. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one additional antipsychotic agent is co-administered in a dosage form separate from said CB2 receptor agonist. 
     
     
         13 . A composition comprising beta-caryophyllene (BCP) and a pharmaceutically effective carrier for use in treating schizophrenia. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein said pharmaceutically effective carrier comprises dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein a single discrete unit of the composition comprises BCP at a weight in the range of from about 25 mg to about 100 mg. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is formulated as an injectable solution dosage form. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is formulated as an orally-administrable dosage form. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one additional antipsychotic agent. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one additional antipsychotic agent is selected from the group consisting of chlorpromazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, fluphenazine, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, and paliperidone.