The Fundamental Role of Lipids in Polymeric Nanoparticles: Dermal Delivery and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cannabidiol

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol and Beta-Caryophyllene Alone or Combined in an In Vitro Inflammation Model

Cannabis contains over 500 different compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive constituent, whereas beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is one of most the well-known terpenoids of Cannabis sativa. In recent years, there has been an emerging idea that the beneficial activities of these compounds are greater when they are combined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of CBD and BCP using the in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells. The vitality of the cells was quantified using LDH and MTT assays. The levels of the following pro-inflammatory proteins and genes were quantified: IL-1β, COX-2, and phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-p65) through Western blotting (WB) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). When present in the incubation medium, CBD and BCP reduced the increased levels of pro-inflammatory proteins (IL-1β, COX-2, and p-NF-kB) induced by LPS. The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD were blocked by a PPARγ antagonist, whereas a CB2 antagonist was able to revert the effects of BCP. Selected concentrations of CBD and BCP were able to revert the increases in the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα), and these effects were significant when the drugs were used in combination. Our results suggest that CBD and BCP work in concert to produce a major anti-inflammatory effect with good safety profiles.

Immunotoxicity of stainless-steel nanoparticles obtained after 3D printing

This study aims to investigate the in vitro effects of nanoparticles (NPs) produced during the selective laser melting (SLM) of 316 L stainless steel metal powder on the immune response in a human blood model. Experimental data did not reveal effect on viability of 316 L NPs for the tested doses. Functional immune assays showed a significant immunosuppressive effect of NPs. There was moderate stimulation (117%) of monocyte phagocytic activity without significant changes in phagocytic activity and respiratory burst of granulocytes. A significant dose-dependent increase in the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a was found in blood cultures treated with NPs. On the contrary, IL-8 chemokine levels were significantly suppressed. The levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were reduced by only a single concentration of NPs. These new findings can minimise potential health risks and indicate the need for more research in this area.

Development of an UHPLC-MS/MS method to determine cutaneous biodistribution of cannabidiol after topical application of cannabidiol gel assisted by iontophoresis

Cannabidiol has potential for use in skin disease therapy, so it is important to know the cutaneous biodistribution of cannabidiol after topical application of cannabidiol formulations. However, currently existing quantification methods for the investigation of cannabidiol skin distribution are not optimal. This study aimed to establish a method for the determination of cannabidiol in skin samples by UHPLC-MS/MS. A BEH C18 (50.0 × 2.1 mm, 2.5 μm) column was used; the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid (70:30, v/v), the flow rate was 0.2 μl·min-1 and the column temperature was 30°C. Positive-ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring detection was used to quantify cannabidiol (m/z 315.1 → 193.1) while diphenhydramine (m/z 256.3 → 167.08) served as the internal standard. Good linearity was shown in the range of 1-200 ng·ml-1 for cannabidiol with correlation coefficients of >0.999. The LLOQ was 1 ng·ml-1 . The intra-day and inter-day RSDs of cannabidiol were all <2%. A cryo-sectioning technique combined with the UHPLC-MS/MS method was used to successfully determine cannabidiol levels in a series of very thin skin layers.

Cannabidiol-Loaded Lipid-Stabilized Nanoparticles Alleviate Psoriasis Severity in Mice: A New Approach for Improved Topical Drug Delivery

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a promising natural agent for treating psoriasis. CBD activity is attributed to inhibition of NF-kB, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A. The present study evaluated the anti-psoriatic effect of cannabidiol in lipid-stabilized nanoparticles (LSNs) using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model in mice. CBD-loaded LSNs were stabilized with three types of lipids, Cetyl alcohol (CA), Lauric acid (LA), and stearic-lauric acids (SALA), and were examined in-vitro using rat skin and in-vivo using the IMQ-model. LSNs loaded with coumarin-6 showed a localized penetration depth of about 100 µm into rat skin. The LSNs were assessed by the IMQ model accompanied by visual (psoriasis area severity index; PASI), histological, and pro-psoriatic IL-17A evaluations. Groups treated with CBD-loaded LSNs were compared to groups treated with CBD-containing emulsion, unloaded LSNs, and clobetasol propionate, and to an untreated group. CBD-loaded LSNs significantly reduced PASI scoring compared to the CBD emulsion, the unloaded LSNs, and the untreated group (negative controls). In addition, SALA- and CA-containing nanoparticles significantly inhibited IL-17A release, showing a differential response: SALA > CA > LA. The data confirms the effectiveness of CBD in psoriasis therapy and underscores LSNs as a promising platform for delivering CBD to the skin.

Cannabidiol-Loaded Nanoparticles Based on Crosslinked Starch: Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Improved Nose-to-Brain Delivery

Cannabidiol (CBD) has previously been shown to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production in both in vitro and in vivo studies of neurodegenerative diseases. To date, the CBD treatment of these diseases by quantitative targeting directly to the brain is one of the greatest challenges. In this paper, we present a new particulate system capable of delivering CBD into the brain via the intranasal route. Intranasal administration of CBD-loaded starch nanoparticles resulted in higher levels of cannabidiol in the brain compared to an identically administered cannabidiol solution. The production and the characterization of starch-based nanoparticles was reported, as well as the evaluation of their penetration and anti-inflammatory activity in cells. Cannabidiol-loaded starch nanoparticles were prepared by crosslinking with divanillin, using the nanoprecipitation method. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity in vitro was performed using the BV2 microglia cell line. The starch nanoparticles appeared under electron microscopy in clusters sized approximately 200 nm in diameter. In cultures of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflamed BV2 cells, the cannabidiol-loaded starch nanoparticles demonstrated low toxicity while effectively reducing nitric oxide production and IL-6 levels. The anti-inflammatory effect was comparable to that of a glucocorticoid. Starch-based nanoparticle formulations combined with intranasal administration may provide a suitable platform for efficacious cannabidiol delivery and activity in the central nervous system.