Development and Characterization of Organogel as a Lipophilic Drug Delivery Platform

• Grant number: 25/14061-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 05, 2026
• End date: May 04, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Priscila Gava Mazzola
• Grantee: Lisa Artioli Zink Degelo
• Supervisor: Maria Ines Re
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: École Nationale Supérieure Des Mines D'Albi-Carmaux, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/22377-3 - DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SINGLE LAYER AND MATRIX-TYPE TRANSDERMAL ADHESIVES WITH CANNABIS SATIVA L. EXTRACT RICH IN CANNABIDIOL (CBD), BP.IC

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from Cannabis sativa, holds promising therapeutic potential, however it faces significant formulation challenges due to its high lipophilicity, low aqueous solubility, and poor oral bioavailability. Organogels, semisolid systems composed of plant-based oils structured by low concentrations of gelators, represent a promising strategy for the delivery of such compounds. As a preliminary step toward the development of CBD-loaded formulations, this project aims to design and characterize organogels using a model lipophilic drug (ibuprofen). Natural waxes and vegetable oils will be employed to prepare organogel systems, and the solubility of ibuprofen in different oils will be evaluated to guide formulation design. The resulting organogels will be subjected to comprehensive physicochemical characterization, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as assessments of viscosity, spreadability, thermal behavior, and drug content. By using ibuprofen as a model compound, this study will provide a solid foundation for the future development of stable and effective organogel-based formulations intended for the delivery of lipophilic drugs such as CBD.