Author(s): Madison Bulloch, Alexia Casillas
Mentor(s): Rico Del Sesto
Institution UTech
Transdermal delivery of cannabinoids via enhanced permeation materials is critical for more efficient therapeutic outcomes and overcoming historical limitations of cannabinoid administration. Due to the complex facets of absorption within the body, typical administration of cannabinoid therapeutics including oral and sublingual possess limited bioavailability. However, formulation of therapeutic cannabinoids as transdermal materials would provide for greater systemic delivery, convenience, and administration safety for patients and clinicians. Limitations of effective transdermal delivery including dermal microcirculation and varied physical borders are mitigated by using a novel, transdermal eutectic material known as choline geranate (CAGE). The viscous CAGE operates as a carrier molecule due to its amphiphilic and non-toxic nature that allows for effective transdermal diffusion without accompanied tissue damage. CAGE as a carrier material serves as a viable means of diffusion for therapeutic cannabinoids such as CBDa and CBGa. These cannabinoids are the precursors (prior to decarboxylation) of the more common CBD and CBG, and possess clinical relevance through their various therapeutic applications as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and anti-anxiety therapies. Additionally, many of these compounds have been tested and clinically accepted as treatment aids for severe neurological conditions including epilepsy. Novel formulations of these cannabinoids accompanied with CAGE were engineered and tested for efficacy of transport and diffusion through synthetic and biological human skin equivalent (HSE) models aimed at clinical representation. Diffusion modeling was performed using a Franz diffusion cell system with biologically relevant membranes. Qualitative confirmation of target diffusion across the membranes was verified via spectroscopic methods with a fluorescent marker accompanied with analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. Results from this work will guide future optimization of transdermal permeation agents targeting cannabinoid delivery for therapeutic and clinical applications.