Oral formulations for cannabidiol: Improved absolute oral bioavailability of biodegradable cannabidiol self-emulsifying drug delivery systems

Abstract

Aim

This study aimed to fabricate and evaluate three different SEDDS formulations to improve the oral bioavailability of cannabidiol (CBD). CBD has limited oral bioavailability due to its lipophilicity and extensive first-pass metabolism. By using different emulsifiers in the SEDDS formulations, this study seeks to optimize CBD loading capacities and enhance overall in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) performance of CBD when administered orally.

Highlights

Design of polyglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine/short-PEG, and long-PEG-based SEDDS.

PG-based SEDDS exhibited superior mucus permeability

Enhanced lipid degradation for PG-based SEDDS compared to PEG-based ones.

PG-based SEDDS achieved higher absolute oral bioavailability than commercial Epidiolex.

PG-based SEDDS as a promising oral delivery platform for lipophilic drugs like CBD.

Methods

SEDDS were developed using three types of emulsifiers: 1) PEG-free polyglycerol (PG)-based, 2) mixed zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine/short-chain PEG-based, and 3) long-chain PEG-based. The SEDDS formulations were characterized in vitro for surface properties, lipolysis, and mucus permeation, and their pharmacokinetic profiles were compared with Epidiolex, a marketed CBD formulation.

Results

SEDDS with increased payloads (20 % w/w) were successfully developed. These formulations rapidly emulsified upon contact with aqueous media, forming monodisperse droplets that retained high levels of CBD (92.95–93.54 %) within the lipid core. Mucus permeability studies revealed that steric and surface-specific parameters, such as hydrophobicity and zeta potential, led to increased permeability for PG-based SEDDS, while PEG-based SEDDS had significantly reduced permeation. Furthermore, PG-based formulations exhibited increased fatty acid release upon SEDDS degradation with both lipase and pancreatin compared to PEG-based formulations. The plasma CBD concentration following oral administration of the developed SEDDS suggested higher absolute bioavailability of the PG-based formulation (3.8 %) compared with Epidiolex (3.4 %). Additionally, the maximum plasma concentrations for the three developed SEDDS ranged from 30.6 to 35.8 ng/mL, surpassing that of Epidiolex (25.0 ng/mL).

Conclusion

These findings underscore the potential of SEDDS as an effective oral delivery system for CBD, capable of achieving higher CBD plasma concentrations than Epidiolex. Additionally, the biodegradable PG-based SEDDS demonstrated improved absolute bioavailability compared to Epidiolex, emphasizing the importance of formulation design in optimizing oral drug delivery systems.

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Matthias Sandmeier, Ee Tsin Wong, Gitte Nykjær Nikolajsen, Asef Purwanti, Sera Lindner, Andreas Bernkop-Schnürch, Wenhao Xia, Julia Hoeng, Kathrine Kjær, Heidi Ziegler Bruun, Sanne Skov Jensen, Oral formulations for cannabidiol: Improved absolute oral bioavailability of biodegradable cannabidiol self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, Volume 255, 2025, 114879, ISSN 0927-7765, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2025.114879.