Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies

IntroductionCannabidiol (CBD) has shown potential therapeutic benefits in veterinary medicine, but further investigations are needed to establish its pharmacokinetics and therapeutic dosing in horses and ponies. The present study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of CBD in Connemar...

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Main Authors: Kata Wermer, Orsolya Korbacska-Kutasi, Róbert Berkecz, Dezső Csupor, Nóra Ágh, Anita Sztojkov-Ivanov, Dániel Cserhalmi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1599934/full
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author Kata Wermer
Orsolya Korbacska-Kutasi
Róbert Berkecz
Róbert Berkecz
Dezső Csupor
Dezső Csupor
Nóra Ágh
Nóra Ágh
Anita Sztojkov-Ivanov
Dániel Cserhalmi
author_facet Kata Wermer
Orsolya Korbacska-Kutasi
Róbert Berkecz
Róbert Berkecz
Dezső Csupor
Dezső Csupor
Nóra Ágh
Nóra Ágh
Anita Sztojkov-Ivanov
Dániel Cserhalmi
author_sort Kata Wermer
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionCannabidiol (CBD) has shown potential therapeutic benefits in veterinary medicine, but further investigations are needed to establish its pharmacokinetics and therapeutic dosing in horses and ponies. The present study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of CBD in Connemara ponies following oral administration of CBD oil.MethodsTen healthy ponies received a single oral dose of CBD oil at 2 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected before dosing and up to 16 days post-administration, with physical examinations conducted at baseline and at 8, 12, and 24 h post-dose. Additional blood samples were taken at baseline and 24 h for hematological and biochemical analyses. Targeted UHPLC–MS/HRMS measurements quantified CBD and its metabolites, 7-hydroxy-CBD (7-OH-CBD) and 7-carboxy-CBD (7-COOH-CBD).ResultsThe CBD oil was well-tolerated, with no side effects. A significant decrease in heart rate was observed after 24 h. Changes in hematological and biochemical markers included elevated urea, slight increases in chloride, Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Total bilirubin, Lactate dehydrogenase, and a minor reduction in WBC count. CBD was detectable in 4 ponies on day 7, but none on day 12. The 7-COOH-CBD metabolite remained detectable up to day 16 in all subjects. The pharmacokinetic parameters for CBD were Cmax = 31.472 ± 8.080 ng/mL, tmax = 2.111 ± 0.928 h, t1/2 = 12.563 ± 3.054 h, and Vz/F = 198.757 ± 49.123 L/kg.DiscussionThe pharmacokinetic characteristics of CBD observed in the present study are consistent with previous research in warmblood horses and provide a foundation for future studies to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and long-term safety of CBD in ponies.
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spelling doaj-art-e5a3a8a5e48648f99f38cb427f98e6872025-08-20T03:27:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-06-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15999341599934Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara poniesKata Wermer0Orsolya Korbacska-Kutasi1Róbert Berkecz2Róbert Berkecz3Dezső Csupor4Dezső Csupor5Nóra Ágh6Nóra Ágh7Anita Sztojkov-Ivanov8Dániel Cserhalmi9Department of Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, HungaryInstitute of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, HungaryDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Centre, Szeged, HungaryFaculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, HungaryInstitute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryHUN-REN-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, HungaryBehavioral Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, HungaryInstitute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, HungaryDepartment of Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, HungaryIntroductionCannabidiol (CBD) has shown potential therapeutic benefits in veterinary medicine, but further investigations are needed to establish its pharmacokinetics and therapeutic dosing in horses and ponies. The present study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of CBD in Connemara ponies following oral administration of CBD oil.MethodsTen healthy ponies received a single oral dose of CBD oil at 2 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected before dosing and up to 16 days post-administration, with physical examinations conducted at baseline and at 8, 12, and 24 h post-dose. Additional blood samples were taken at baseline and 24 h for hematological and biochemical analyses. Targeted UHPLC–MS/HRMS measurements quantified CBD and its metabolites, 7-hydroxy-CBD (7-OH-CBD) and 7-carboxy-CBD (7-COOH-CBD).ResultsThe CBD oil was well-tolerated, with no side effects. A significant decrease in heart rate was observed after 24 h. Changes in hematological and biochemical markers included elevated urea, slight increases in chloride, Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Total bilirubin, Lactate dehydrogenase, and a minor reduction in WBC count. CBD was detectable in 4 ponies on day 7, but none on day 12. The 7-COOH-CBD metabolite remained detectable up to day 16 in all subjects. The pharmacokinetic parameters for CBD were Cmax = 31.472 ± 8.080 ng/mL, tmax = 2.111 ± 0.928 h, t1/2 = 12.563 ± 3.054 h, and Vz/F = 198.757 ± 49.123 L/kg.DiscussionThe pharmacokinetic characteristics of CBD observed in the present study are consistent with previous research in warmblood horses and provide a foundation for future studies to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and long-term safety of CBD in ponies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1599934/fullcannabidiolhorseequineCBD metabolismpharmacokineticscannabinoid
spellingShingle Kata Wermer
Orsolya Korbacska-Kutasi
Róbert Berkecz
Róbert Berkecz
Dezső Csupor
Dezső Csupor
Nóra Ágh
Nóra Ágh
Anita Sztojkov-Ivanov
Dániel Cserhalmi
Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
cannabidiol
horse
equine
CBD metabolism
pharmacokinetics
cannabinoid
title Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies
title_full Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies
title_fullStr Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies
title_short Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies
title_sort pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase i metabolites in connemara ponies
topic cannabidiol
horse
equine
CBD metabolism
pharmacokinetics
cannabinoid
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1599934/full
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