Pioglitazone

For an informed discussion with your doctor or pharmacist. This information collection is not a clinically validated interaction checker. Missing data do not establish safety. Do not change or stop prescribed medicines on the basis of this information. The findings apply to the specific conditions studied; laboratory and animal studies cannot be directly extrapolated to humans.

Active substance: Pioglitazone

Examples of brand names: Actos [EU/DE]

ATC code: A10BG03

Main use (for orientation): Type 2 diabetes

Documented research summary

Direct THC/pioglitazone combination in a human SH-SY5Y cell model with MPP+-induced injury (PMID 27366949): stronger protection in the LDH endpoint than pioglitazone alone. Entirely preclinical; no confirmation of Parkinson's treatment or a clinical pharmacokinetic interaction. Other PPARγ or FAAH studies investigate comparison arms, receptor blockade or endogenous substrates.

Uncertainties and limitations

Immortalised neuroblastoma cells under experimental toxin exposure; no human exposure or clinical efficacy assessed.

Missing data do not establish safety. Research is limited by the documented sources, search terms, languages and accessibility.

Separately recorded findings

1 separately recorded finding. Each statement applies to its documented study context.

THC – laboratory and animal studies

Finding ID: B0433

Type of result: Preclinical endpoint

Observation: Adding THC to pioglitazone enhanced the reduction in the LDH cell-death endpoint in this model compared with pioglitazone alone.

Mechanism: Pharmacodynamic protection in the MPP+-injured, differentiated SH-SY5Y cell model; PPARγ-related hypothesis.

Study type: Original in vitro study

Context studied: Pioglitazone 5 µM, THC 10 µM, MPP+ 7 mM; 48 hours; three independent experiments.

Clinical interpretation: Clinical significance unresolved

Limitations and uncertainties: Immortalised human neuroblastoma cells, not a trial in Parkinson's patients; no clinical interaction, synergy quantification or dosage recommendation.

Original sources for this finding: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol protects against MPP+ toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by restoring proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. [VD_MED_27366949]

References and access status

[VD_LABEL_D0249] PIOGLITAZONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLET [REMEDYREPACK INC.] – DailyMed SPL

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Marketing authorisation holder / label provider according to the linked DailyMed product information

Year: 2026

Source type: Regulatory product information (US SPL)

Source access – 23 October 2026: Source destination was accessible when checked.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

[VD_MED_27366949] Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol protects against MPP+ toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by restoring proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Zeissler ML, Eastwood J, McCorry K, Hanemann CO, Zajicek JP, Carroll CB.

Year: 2016

Source type: research-article; Journal Article

DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10314

PMID: 27366949

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

PubMed Central – full-text access according to the literature database – Archive attribution confirmed by Europe PMC metadata. Direct retrieval was not fully verified here; access may require a browser check.

Europe PMC – full-text access according to the literature database – Listed as freely available HTML full text in the official Europe PMC metadata. Direct retrieval was not fully verified here.

Research as of 23 October 2026. Not all original full texts could be reviewed in full. Source accessibility and the strength of scientific evidence must be assessed separately. An accessible link does not establish medical approval; a bibliographic record with an abstract does not replace the original full text.

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