The
therapeutic effect of the
Cannabis
plant largely
depends on the presence and specific ratio of a spectrum of phytocannabinoids.
Although prescription of medicinal
Cannabis
for various
conditions constantly grows, its consumption is mostly limited to
oral or respiratory pathways, impeding its duration of action, bioavailability,
and efficacy. Herein, a long-acting formulation in the form of melt-printed
polymeric microdepots for full-spectrum cannabidiol (CBD)-rich extract
administration is described. When injected subcutaneously in mice,
the microdepots facilitate sustained release of the encapsulated extract
over a two-week period. The prolonged delivery results in elevated
serum levels of multiple, major and minor, phytocannabinoids for over
14 days, compared to
Cannabis
extract injection.
A direct analysis of the microdepots retrieved from the injection
site gives rise to an empirical model for the release kinetics of
the phytocannabinoids as a function of their physical traits. As a
proof of concept, we compare the long-term efficacy of a single administration
of the microdepots to a single administration of
Cannabis
extract in a pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion model. One week
following administration, the microdepots reduce the incidence of
tonic-clonic seizures by 40%, increase the survival rate by 50%, and
the latency to first tonic-clonic seizures by 170%. These results
suggest that a long-term full-spectrum
Cannabis
delivery
system may provide new form of
Cannabis
administration
and treatments.
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