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

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) exhibits anti-inflammatory properties relevant to neurodegenerative diseases.
• Effective brain delivery of CBD remains a significant challenge for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel starch nanoparticle system for enhanced intranasal delivery of CBD to the brain.
• To assess the anti-inflammatory efficacy of CBD-loaded nanoparticles in vitro.

Main Methods:

• CBD-loaded starch nanoparticles were synthesized using a nanoprecipitation method with divanillin crosslinking.
• Nanoparticle characterization included electron microscopy (average size ~200 nm).
• In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was tested on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflamed BV2 microglia cells, measuring nitric oxide and IL-6 levels.

Main Results:

• Intranasal administration of CBD-loaded starch nanoparticles achieved higher brain concentrations of CBD compared to a CBD solution.
• The nanoparticles demonstrated low toxicity in BV2 cells.
• CBD-loaded nanoparticles significantly reduced nitric oxide and IL-6 production, comparable to glucocorticoid treatment.

Conclusions:

• Starch-based nanoparticles offer a viable platform for effective intranasal delivery of CBD to the central nervous system.
• This approach holds potential for treating neuroinflammatory conditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases.