Study: 3D-Printed CBD Hydrogels Show Strong Potential for Oral Drug Delivery

Figure 2. Overview of hydrogel fabrication and CBD formulations. (A) Schematic of 3D bioprinting with controlled extrusion of alginate/chitosan—CBD bioink onto the platform. (B) Control hydrogel composed of only alginate/chitosan, exhibiting a translucent polyelectrolyte complex. (C) CBD-loaded hydrogel at 12 mg/mL, with uniform distribution and light amber color. (D) Hydrogel at 24 mg/mL CBD, darker amber, showing higher drug loading and successful encapsulation.

The work involved teams from Universidad Antonio Nariño, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Novum Science, Guarulhos University, and the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. The research focused on combining alginate and chitosan into a printable hydrogel platform and incorporating CBD at concentrations of 12 and 24 mg/mL. Using a CELLINK printer, the team evaluated how CBD addition affects the hydrogel’s structural and mechanical behavior through SEM imaging, FTIR spectroscopy, rheology testing, compression analysis, and swelling assessments.

According to the findings, CBD was successfully integrated into the 3D-printed matrix, producing clear dose-related changes. Higher CBD concentrations resulted in a measurable decrease in storage modulus, a modest reduction in the linear viscoelastic threshold, and noticeable pore compaction under microscopy. Despite these shifts, the hydrogels maintained a stable elastic profile with G’ consistently greater than G″. FTIR signals showed hydrogen-bond interactions without the formation of new chemical groups, confirming molecular stability.

Mechanically, the higher-dose hydrogel withstood compression while allowing greater deformation before failure, indicating durability suitable for oral environments. Swelling capacity and water absorption declined as CBD levels increased, leading to a reduced burst release and more controlled uptake behavior.

Overall, the study concludes that CBD-loaded alginate–chitosan hydrogels offer a structurally stable and adaptable platform for localized therapeutic delivery inside the mouth, potentially improving treatment options for conditions requiring sustained cannabinoid release.