Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different Formulations

Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid commonly isolated from chemotype III <i>Cannabis sativa</i> plants, is known for its therapeutic potential. However, comprehensive information on its bioavailability is still lacking. The key objective of this study was to investigate the impact of s...

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Main Authors: Zuzana Binova, Frantisek Benes, Marie Zlechovcova, Matej Maly, Petr Kastanek, Monika Cahova, Milena Stranska, Jana Hajslova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2676
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author Zuzana Binova
Frantisek Benes
Marie Zlechovcova
Matej Maly
Petr Kastanek
Monika Cahova
Milena Stranska
Jana Hajslova
author_facet Zuzana Binova
Frantisek Benes
Marie Zlechovcova
Matej Maly
Petr Kastanek
Monika Cahova
Milena Stranska
Jana Hajslova
author_sort Zuzana Binova
collection DOAJ
description Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid commonly isolated from chemotype III <i>Cannabis sativa</i> plants, is known for its therapeutic potential. However, comprehensive information on its bioavailability is still lacking. The key objective of this study was to investigate the impact of specific formulations on CBD delivery to the site of action and, in particular, the brain of experimental animals. As brain tissue is an extremely complex matrix, a highly sensitive method employing liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) had to be implemented. To make it applicable for multiple analytes, the method was validated for 17 other phytocannabinoids and selected metabolites. Using this method, a pharmacokinetic study was conducted on 200 brain samples collected from rats that had been administered various CBD formulations (carriers) via oral gavage. The peak concentration in brain occurred within 1–2 h; notably, the highest was reached with carriers containing triacylglycerols with the shortest fatty acid chains (caprylic/capric). In addition to the parent compound, 7-hydroxy-cannabidiol and 7-carboxy-cannabidiol were detected, confirming rapid post-administration metabolism. Overall, this research enhances understanding of CBD distribution in the brain and underscores the impact of specific formulations on its bioavailability, offering insights into optimizing CBD-based therapies to be both effective and ‘patient-friendly’.
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spelling doaj-art-a95ee3d3d7774fd2a56398c3bda55a292025-08-20T03:28:25ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013013267610.3390/molecules30132676Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different FormulationsZuzana Binova0Frantisek Benes1Marie Zlechovcova2Matej Maly3Petr Kastanek4Monika Cahova5Milena Stranska6Jana Hajslova7Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Food Analysis and Nutrition, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Food Analysis and Nutrition, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Food Analysis and Nutrition, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech RepublicInstitute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Vídeňská 1958, 140 21 Prague 4, Czech RepublicDepartment of Food Analysis and Nutrition, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Food Analysis and Nutrition, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech RepublicCannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid commonly isolated from chemotype III <i>Cannabis sativa</i> plants, is known for its therapeutic potential. However, comprehensive information on its bioavailability is still lacking. The key objective of this study was to investigate the impact of specific formulations on CBD delivery to the site of action and, in particular, the brain of experimental animals. As brain tissue is an extremely complex matrix, a highly sensitive method employing liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) had to be implemented. To make it applicable for multiple analytes, the method was validated for 17 other phytocannabinoids and selected metabolites. Using this method, a pharmacokinetic study was conducted on 200 brain samples collected from rats that had been administered various CBD formulations (carriers) via oral gavage. The peak concentration in brain occurred within 1–2 h; notably, the highest was reached with carriers containing triacylglycerols with the shortest fatty acid chains (caprylic/capric). In addition to the parent compound, 7-hydroxy-cannabidiol and 7-carboxy-cannabidiol were detected, confirming rapid post-administration metabolism. Overall, this research enhances understanding of CBD distribution in the brain and underscores the impact of specific formulations on its bioavailability, offering insights into optimizing CBD-based therapies to be both effective and ‘patient-friendly’.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2676Cannabidiolmetabolitesbrain tissuebioavailabilityLC-MS/MS
spellingShingle Zuzana Binova
Frantisek Benes
Marie Zlechovcova
Matej Maly
Petr Kastanek
Monika Cahova
Milena Stranska
Jana Hajslova
Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different Formulations
Molecules
Cannabidiol
metabolites
brain tissue
bioavailability
LC-MS/MS
title Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different Formulations
title_full Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different Formulations
title_fullStr Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different Formulations
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different Formulations
title_short Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Rat Brain Tissue After Single-Dose Administration of Different Formulations
title_sort pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in rat brain tissue after single dose administration of different formulations
topic Cannabidiol
metabolites
brain tissue
bioavailability
LC-MS/MS
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2676
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