Canna~Fangled Abstracts

PTL401, a New Formulation Based on Pro-nano Dispersion Technology, Improves Oral Cannabinoids Bioavailability in Healthy Volunteers.

By December 26, 2017No Comments
J Pharm Sci. 2017 Dec 26. pii: S0022-3549(17)30890-0. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2017.12.020.
[Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

PM 2 site 207There is growing clinical interest in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid products, containing primarily tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The oral bioavailability of THC and CBD is very low due to extensive “first pass” metabolism. A novel oral THC and CBD formulation, PTL401, utilizing an advanced self-emulsifying oral drug delivery system, was designed to circumvent the “first pass” effect. In this study, the bioavailability of THC and CBD from the PTL401 capsule was compared with similar doses from a marketed reference oromucosal spray (Sativex®). Fourteen healthy male volunteers received, on separate treatment days, either a single dose of PTL401 or an equivalent dose of the oromucosal spray. Blood samples for pharmacokinetics analyses were collected and safety and tolerability were assessed. PTL401 yielded 1.6-fold higher plasma Cmax than the equivalent dose of the oromucosal spray, for both THC and CBD. Their relative bioavailability was also higher (131 and 116% for CBD and THC, respectively). Values of Tmax were significantly shorter for both CBD and THC (median of 1.3 h for PTL401 vs. 3.5 h for the spray). The pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of the active 11-OH-THC metabolite followed the same pattern as THC for both routes of delivery. No outstanding safety concerns were noted following either administration. We conclude that PTL401 is a safe and effective delivery platform for both CBD and THC. The relatively faster absorption and improved bioavailability, compared to the oromucosal spray, justifies further, larger scale clinical studies with this formulation.

KEYWORDS:

PTL401; cannabinoids; clinical pharmacokinetics; healthy adult volunteers; oral bioavailability; self-emulsifying drug delivery system

PMID: 29287930

 

DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2017.12.020
twin memes II