CBD Nanoemulsion Using Argan Oil Shows Promise for Psoriasis Treatment
- Researchers developed CBD-loaded nanoemulsions with argan oil and chitosan to improve stability, skin penetration, and controlled release for treating psoriasis.
- Chitosan-coated nanoemulsions maintained nanoscale droplet size, exhibited a positive surface charge, and increased viscosity, enhancing interaction with skin and prolonging contact time.
- The formulations showed controlled, sustained CBD release following a diffusion-based pattern, which is beneficial for managing chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.
- Safety tests indicated the CBD nanoemulsions were non-toxic to human skin cells, with overall favorable safety profiles despite some sensitivity observed in in vivo testing with Caenorhabditis elegans.
According to a study published by the journal Pharmaceutics, CBD formulated in a nanoemulsion with argan oil may offer an effective topical approach for treating psoriasis, with improved stability and controlled drug delivery compared to conventional formulations.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, and the University of Santiago de Compostela, focusing on overcoming key limitations associated with CBD, including poor water solubility and instability.
To address these issues, researchers developed multiple formulations, including CBD-loaded nanoemulsions and versions coated with chitosan, a biopolymer known for its stabilizing properties. These formulations were evaluated for factors such as droplet size, surface charge, viscosity, and long-term stability, along with how effectively CBD could penetrate and diffuse through the skin.
The findings show that the chitosan-coated nanoemulsions demonstrated enhanced physical stability, maintaining nanoscale droplet size and a positive surface charge, which can improve interaction with biological membranes. These formulations also exhibited increased viscosity, helping prolong contact with the skin.
Importantly, the chitosan-coated CBD nanoemulsion provided a controlled and sustained release of CBD, following a diffusion-based release pattern. This suggests it may deliver the compound more consistently over time, a key factor for managing chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.
Safety testing further supported the formulation’s potential. In vitro experiments using human keratinocyte cells found the CBD nanoemulsion to be non-toxic. Additional in vivo testing using Caenorhabditis elegans indicated some sensitivity to chitosan-coated systems, though overall results still point to a favorable safety profile for topical use.
Researchers conclude that CBD-loaded nanoemulsions, particularly those utilizing argan oil and chitosan, represent a promising delivery system for psoriasis treatment, offering improved stability, skin absorption, and sustained therapeutic effects compared to traditional CBD formulations.