717
Views
27
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Lipid nanoparticles as an emerging platform for cannabinoid delivery: physicochemical optimization and biocompatibility

, , , , &
Pages 190-198 | Received 29 Sep 2014, Accepted 30 Mar 2015, Published online: 21 May 2015
 

Abstract

This work aims at developing and optimizing a valuable oral delivery carrier for the cannabinoid derivative CB13, which presents a high therapeutic potential in chronic pain states that respond poorly to conventional analgesics, but also shows highly unfavorable physicochemical properties. CB13-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNP) formulations were developed through solvent-emulsion evaporation and optimized in terms of physicochemical properties, long-term stability, integrity under gastric simulated conditions and in vitro interaction with NIH 3T3, HEK 293T and Caco-2 cells. An optimized formulation of LNP containing CB13 was obtained from a wide range of conditions assayed and analyzed. The selection of the lipid core, production conditions and the inclusion of lecithin proved to be key factors for the final properties of encapsulation, integrity and performance of the carriers. The LNP formulation proposed proved to be a promising carrier for the oral delivery of CB13, a cannabinoid with high therapeutic potential in chronic pain states that currently lack a valid oral treatment.

Acknowledgements

The authors specially thank the Microscopy services of CITIUS (University of Seville) for technical assistance.

Declaration of interest

This work was supported by Junta Andalucía, Spain (Project Nr. P09-CTS5029) and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (PEst-OE/SAU/UI4013/2011) and the PhD grants of M. Durán-Lobato (USE-09090-M) and R. Lopes (SFRH/BD/44218/2008).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.