TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA USING BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE AND CB2 RECEPTOR AGONISTS

1 . A composition comprising beta-caryophyllene (BCP) and a pharmaceutically effective carrier for use in treating schizophrenia.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said schizophrenia is selected from the group consisting of paranoid schizophrenia; disorganized schizophrenia; undifferentiated schizophrenia; catatonic schizophrenia; and residual schizophrenia.

3 . The composition of any of claims 1 to 2 , wherein said treating comprises treating at least one symptom of schizophrenia selected from the group consisting of a negative symptom of schizophrenia and a positive symptom of schizophrenia.

4 . The composition of any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein said pharmaceutically effective carrier comprises dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

5 . The composition of any of claims 1 to 4 , a single discrete unit of the composition comprises BCP at a weight in the range of from about 25 to about 100 mg.

6 . The composition of any of claims 1 to 5 , formulated as an injectable solution dosage form.

7 . The composition of any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the composition is formulated as an orally-administrable dosage form.

8 . The composition of any of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising at least one additional antipsychotic agent.

9 . The composition of claim 8 , 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, or combinations thereof.

10 . Use of beta-caryophyllene (BCP) and a pharmaceutically effective carrier in the manufacture of a composition for treating schizophrenia in a subject in need thereof.

11 . The use according to claim 10 , wherein said schizophrenia is selected from the group consisting of paranoid schizophrenia; disorganized schizophrenia; undifferentiated schizophrenia; catatonic schizophrenia; and residual schizophrenia.

12 . The use according to any of claims 10 to 11 , wherein said treating comprises treating at least one symptom of schizophrenia selected from the group consisting of a negative symptom of schizophrenia and a positive symptom of schizophrenia.

13 . The use of any of claims 10 to 12 , wherein said pharmaceutically effective carrier comprises dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

14 . The use according to any of claims 10 to 13 , wherein a single discrete unit of said composition comprises BCP at a weight in the range of from about 25 to about 100 mg.

15 . The use according to any of claims 10 to 14 , wherein said composition is made as an injectable solution dosage form.

16 . The use according to any of claims 10 to 14 , wherein said composition is made as an orally administrable dosage form.

17 . The use according to any of claims 10 to 16 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one additional antipsychotic agent.

18 . The use according to claim 17 , 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, or combinations thereof.

19 . A method for treating schizophrenia in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutic composition comprising beta-caryophyllene (BCP) and a pharmaceutically effective carrier.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said schizophrenia is selected from the group consisting of paranoid schizophrenia; disorganized schizophrenia; undifferentiated schizophrenia; catatonic schizophrenia; and residual schizophrenia.

21 . The method of any of claims 19 to 20 , wherein said treating comprises treating at least one symptom of schizophrenia selected from the group consisting of a negative symptom of schizophrenia and a positive symptom of schizophrenia.

22 . The method of any of claims 19 to 21 , wherein an average daily amount of said BCP administered is from about 0.4 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg.

23 . The method of any of claims 19 to 22 , wherein said pharmaceutically effective carrier comprises dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

24 . The method of any of claims 19 to 23 , wherein said administering comprises injecting said composition to said subject.

25 . The method of any of claims 19 to 23 , wherein said administering comprises orally administering said composition to said subject.

26 . The method of any of claims 19 to 25 , further comprising co-administering at least one additional antipsychotic agent.

27 . The method of claim 26 , 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, or combinations thereof.

28 . The method of any of claims 26 to 27 , wherein said at least one additional antipsychotic agent is co-administered in a single dosage form together with said BCP.

29 . The method of any of claims 26 to 27 , wherein said at least one additional antipsychotic agent is co-administered in a dosage form separate from said BCP.

30 . A composition comprising a CB2 receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically effective carrier for use in treating schizophrenia.

31 . Use of a composition comprising a CB2 receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically effective carrier in the manufacture of a composition for treating schizophrenia in a subject in need thereof.

32 . A method for the 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.