CBD nanoemulsions, a potential treatment for anterior ocular inflammations
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid presenting great clinical interest due to its various therapeutic effects, including inflammatory conditions1. Nevertheless, minimal number of reports was published on its properties in ocular inflammations2 while its impact on intraocular pressure (IOP) remains unclear3 .
The most convenient way for the patient to treat anterior ocular diseases is the instillation of eye drops. Yet, due to its high lipophilicity, CBD cannot be formulated in a simple aqueous solution. In addition, for most of the compounds, penetrating the highly selective, multi-layered, corneal barrier is challenging. In the recent decades, nanotechnology has been used to enhance the drugs`absorption to the eye, improving their therapeutic effect. Consequently, our goals were first to design CBD nano-eye drops that could increase the drug ocular bioavailability, then to test the selected formulation on an anterior ocular inflammation model. Finally, the formulation in different CBD concentrations will be instilled on murine eyes to evaluate its effect on IOP.
CBD nanoemulsions (NEs) were developed and characterized. The selected, optimal, formulations allowed significant retention and absorption of the compound , ex vivo, by the excised pig cornea, compared to the CBD oil solutions. Moreover, CBD NEs significantly decreased four typical inflammatory markers on a murine model of LPS induced keratitis. Finally, ongoing measurements will determine the impact of the drug and its increasing concentrations on the animals` intraocular pressure.
1 Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel).2019;9(1):21.doi:10.3390/antiox9010021
2 Thapa D, Cairns EA, Szczesniak AM, Toguri JT, Caldwell MD,Kelly MEM. The cannabinoids Δ8 THC, CBD, and HU-308 act via distinct receptors to reduce corneal pain and inflammation. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res.2018;3(1):11-20.doi:10.1089/can.2017.0041
3 Aebersold A, Duff M, Sloan L, Song ZH. Cannabidiol signalling in the eye and its potential as an ocular therapeutic agent. Cell Physiol Biochem.2021;55(S5):1-14.doi:10.33594/000000371
Powered by Eventact EMS