Development of transdermal formulations with medical Cannabis for Alzheimer's disease

• Grant number: 22/11241-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Priscila Gava Mazzola
• Grantee: Luiza Aparecida Luna Silvério
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/12606-5 - Nanoemulsion development for cannabidiol nose-to-brain delivery, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia characterized by a progressivedecline in cognitive domains, such as memory, behavior, language, among others. It isestimated that in Brazil about 1 million people are affected by this disease and that thisnumber will double every 20 years. Currently, it is the sixth most expensive disease andthe third that causes more premature deaths, and there is no treatment that changes itsprognosis. The main theory that explains the development of the disease is the formationof beta-amyloid peptide plaques, which trigger mechanisms that lead to neurotoxicity andneurodegeneration. Recent studies have shown that cannabinoids are able to break downthese peptide aggregates, in addition to having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action,which leads to an improvement in the disease. Despite this, in Brazil, currently only drugswith oral cannabinoids can be registered and marketed, which have very lowbioavailability. In this context, the study of alternative routes of administration is essentialto bring more quality of life to patients and expand the therapeutic arsenal. In the case ofchronic diseases, the transdermal route is an excellent alternative, as it presents a modifiedrelease of the active, reducing the dose and the number of applications/administrations ofthe drug. Therefore, the present project aims to develop a transdermal patchcontaining nanostructures to carry cannabinoids, ensuring the permeation of theactive and the development of an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FAVA, ANA LAURA MASQUETTI; DE SOUZA, CINTHIA MADEIRA; DOS SANTOS, ERICA MENDES; SILVERIO, LUIZA APARECIDA LUNA; ATAIDE, JANAINA ARTEM; PAIVA-SANTOS, ANA CLAUDIA; COSTA, JOSE LUIZ; DE MELO, DANIELA OLIVEIRA; MAZZOLA, PRISCILA GAVA. Evidence of Cannabidiol Effectiveness Associated or Not with Tetrahydrocannabinol in Topical Administration: A Scope Review. PHARMACEUTICALS, v. 17, n. 6, p. 26-pg., 2024-06-01. (22/11241-8, 20/11333-4, 18/06475-4, 23/07323-1, 22/06228-2)

DA COSTA-OLIVEIRA, CLAUDETE; PEREIRA, MICHELE LAFAYETTE; DE CARVALHO, NICOLE FERRARI; SILVERIO, LUIZA APARECIDA LUNA; RAMOS, YGOR JESSE; MAZZOLA, PRISCILA GAVA. Exploring the Significance of Pharmaceutical Care in Mental Health: A Spotlight on Cannabis. PHARMACY, v. 12, n. 4, p. 20-pg., 2024-08-01. (22/06228-2, 22/11241-8)