Cannabidiol and Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin for the Development of Deflated Spherical-Shaped Inhalable Powder

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology in Medicine

Background:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) shows therapeutic potential for pulmonary administration, including for cancers.
• Pulmonary drug delivery faces challenges in respirable fraction and product standardization.
• Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) offer stability and ease of use, with particle engineering showing promise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop inhalable cannabidiol (CBD) powders using particle engineering via spray drying.
• To investigate the use of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin as a solubility enhancer for poorly water-soluble CBD.
• To assess the aerosolization properties and deep lung deposition potential of the engineered CBD powders.

Main Methods:

• Spray drying was employed to create CBD powders using hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and ethanol.
• Electron microscopy and particle size analysis were used to characterize powder morphology and size.
• Fine particle fraction (FPF) was determined to evaluate aerosolization performance for deep lung deposition.

Main Results:

• Consistent deflated spherical CBD powders were produced with sizes suitable for deep lung deposition (around 2 µm).
• Engineered powders exhibited high fine particle fractions (>60%), attributed to their unique surface morphology.
• The developed powder demonstrated rapid solubilization, crucial for therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Particle engineering via spray drying successfully created an inhalable CBD powder with favorable aerosolization properties.
• This carrier-free formulation approach is effective for poorly water-soluble drugs, paving the way for future in vivo studies.
• The study highlights the potential of cyclodextrin-assisted spray drying for developing advanced pulmonary drug delivery systems.