Development and characterization of a zeolite based drug delivery system: Application to cannabidiol oral delivery.

The growing interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) has led to the need for effective and reliable delivery methods that overcome its low oral absorption. Zeolites, a class of porous nanoparticles, offer unique advantages as drug carriers due to their high surface area and adjustable pore size. In this study, a zeolite-based drug delivery system was developed for the encapsulation of CBD. The zeolite particles were characterized using various techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption analysis, Solid-state Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Direct Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) before and after the loading. The drug encapsulation efficiency, and the release profile of CBD from the zeolite matrix were evaluated in addition to in vitro dissolution experiments in the intestinal and gastric simulated fluids. The results showed that the loaded zeolite particles exhibited high encapsulation efficiency of 73.5 %. XRD analysis proved that the USY structure remained intact after loading with CBD. DLS and N2 adsorption analysis indicated that CBD was successfully loaded into the zeolite matrix. When compared to CBD containing particles in a commercialized capsule, the in-vitro dissolution rate of CBD loaded zeolite was significantly higher after 30 min in the simulated stomach (pH 1.8) and the intestinal (pH 6.8) fluids, 67.8 % versus 43.6 % and 62.6 % vs 38.4 % respectively. Our findings open new avenues for the use of zeolites as an efficient drug delivery system for drugs with low bioavailability like CBD.

Lebanese cannabis oil as a potential treatment for acute myeloid leukemia: In vitro and in vivo evaluations.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Cannabis sativa L. ssp. indica (Lam.) plant has been historically utilized as a natural herbal remedy for the treatment of several ailments. In Lebanon, cannabis extracts have long been traditionally used to treat arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY: The current study aims to investigate the anti-cancer properties of Lebanese cannabis oil extract (COE) on acute myeloid leukemia using WEHI-3 cells, and a WEHI-3-induced leukemia mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WEHI-3 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of COE to determine the IC50 after 24, 48 and 72-h post treatment. Flow cytometry was utilized to identify the mode of cell death. Western blot assay was performed to assess apoptotic marker proteins. In vivo model was established by inoculating WEHI-3 cells in BALB/c mice, and treatment commencing 10 days post-inoculation and continued for a duration of 3 weeks. RESULTS: COE exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC50 of 7.76, 3.82, and 3.34 µg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 h respectively post-treatment. COE treatment caused an induction of apoptosis through an inhibition of the MAPK/ERK pathway and triggering a caspase-dependent apoptosis via the extrinsic and intrinsic modes independent of ROS production. Animals treated with COE exhibited a significantly higher survival rate, reduction in spleen weight as well as white blood cells count. CONCLUSION: COE exhibited a potent anti-cancer activity against AML cells, both in vitro and in vivo. These findings emphasize the potential application of COE as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.