Cannabinoid Solubility via Amorphous Micellar Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cannabinoids are poorly soluble in aqueous environments, leading to challenges in gastric delivery and bioavailability due to their lipophilic nature, and their bitter taste often deters their inclusion in oral products like beverages.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising cannabinoids in an amorphous form or encapsulated within micelles or cyclodextrins, combined with surfactants and additives that inhibit crystallization, enhances solubility and bioavailability, and includes pH modifiers and flavor agents to mask bitterness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cannabinoids are delivered in traditional oral forms, then they can be administered to users, but their poor solubility in aqueous environments leads to low bioavailability and gastric delivery challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solubility-enhancing agents and delivery vehicles (such as surfactants, cyclodextrins, liposomes, or self-emulsifying systems) as intermediaries to bridge the gap between lipophilic cannabinoids and the aqueous gastric environment. These mediators form micelles, complexes, or emulsions that solubilize cannabinoids, thereby improving their bioavailability without altering the cannabinoid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the delivery system by changing the phase state, surface properties, or molecular organization of the formulation. For example, using amorphous solid dispersions, liquid crystalline phases, or pH-responsive systems that enhance solubility and stability in the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving gastric delivery reliability.
2Ease of operation
If cannabinoids are included in oral products like beverages, then delivery is possible, but their bitter taste deters inclusion and consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses taste-masking agents, flavoring compounds, or encapsulation systems as intermediaries to mask the bitter taste of cannabinoids. These mediators form physical or chemical barriers between the cannabinoid molecules and taste receptors, or introduce pleasant flavors that override the bitter sensation, thereby improving consumability of oral cannabinoid products.
3Reliability
If solubility-enhancing agents are added to improve bioavailability, then gastric delivery is enhanced, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (solubility-enhancing agents, stabilizers, flavorings, and cannabinoids) into integrated delivery systems such as self-emulsifying formulations, multi-component complexes, or combined-therapy products. This merging approach streamlines the formulation process and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining enhanced gastric delivery performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions comprising constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis. The invention also relates to uses of such compositions and methods of manufacturing them.