CBD brands overcome hydrophobic challenges with Santé Laboratories’ liposomal delivery system

31 Mar 2021 --- Santé Laboratories’ liposomal delivery system has been shown in research to provide up to 80 percent absorption of cannabinoids, while overcoming the hydrophobic (will not dissolve in water) properties of these compounds. 

Santé Laboratories’ delivery system helps formulators create a water-based finished formula. This allows for more favorable flavor masking without the oily mouthfeel or earthy flavors commonly experienced in cannabinoid ingestible products. 

“Functional ingredients like cannabinoids are hydrophobic and do not absorb very well when orally ingested,” Mike Sandoval, president of Santé Laboratories, tells NutritionInsight.

“Therefore, in order to overcome these inherent physicochemical properties without the use of conventional oil formulations that are recycled and saturate the market, manufacturers and brands must rely on a formulation technology to deliver cannabinoids like CBD more effectively and responsibly to their customers.”

A “superior” liposomal composition
Not all liposomes are created equal, notes Sandoval. “In fact, there are several manufacturers claiming their product to be liposomal or ‘nano.’ However no scientifically valid data sets are available to substantiate these claims.”

Click to EnlargeRESET Bioscience’s “uniquely water-based” THC-free cannabinoid ingestible drops are the latest product to leverage Santé’s delivery solution for better bioavailability (Source: Reset Bioscience).Given historical safety assessments and worldwide use of prescription drug products, liposomes have been proven to be an effective strategy to overcome solubility and stability challenges experienced with many drugs.

These drug delivery vehicles are emerging as a key solution in supplements, such as Cymbiotika’s products that contain immune-enhancing nutrients inside of micelles encased in liposomes, for instance.

“In general, liposomes mimic the way cells work in the human body,” Sandoval says. “With a lipid bilayer protecting the cannabinoids, they are able withstand harsh environments such as the stomach and intestines (rather than degrading or precipitating), leading to rapid and complete absorption.”

Eliminating potentially toxic additives
Cannabinoids in Santé Laboratories technology are formulated without the use of surfactants, which are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids.

“Other technologies that claim to solubilize cannabinoids will often use surfactants to render cannabinoids soluble in solution,” Sandoval explains. “Santé formulas are made without the use of surfactants as it’s important to deliver products without the use of potentially toxic additives.”

“It’s alarming, and in my opinion irresponsible, to see brands selling ‘water-soluble’ products to consumers looking for natural products without disclosing the use of surfactants,” adds Ashley Ferguson, VP of business development at RESET Bioscience, which leverages Santé’s technology.

“As a layman, I recognize surfactants as soap. I don’t want to ingest soap, and don’t want my consumers to have to either, especially when there’s a better solution provided by Santé Laboratories.”

Pharmacokinetic study
A pharmacokinetic study performed by Santé Laboratories using mini-pigs compared the absorption of CBD when formulated in Santé Laboratories’ delivery system and conventional CBD oils.

Click to EnlargeRESET’s products come in three varieties: Function CBG, Balance CBD and Restore CBN. (Source: Reset Bioscience)The results showed that CBD when formulated by Santé resulted in faster and more efficient absorption compared to conventional CBD in oil. In comparison, CBD oils were found to only provide 5 to 20 percent absorption.

An additional independent safety study using Santé Laboratories’ CBD formulation found that following daily oral administration of 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg for 14 days, CBD was found to be rapidly absorbed in male and female rats.

CBD formulated by Santé also has a validated shelf life of 12 months, which the company notes is “several times longer” than other CBD products.

Powered by Santé
RESET Bioscience’s “uniquely water-based” THC-free cannabinoid ingestible drops are the latest product to leverage Santé Laboratories’ delivery solution for better bioavailability.

The company’s water-based products are water-miscible, meaning that when added to hot or cold beverages, the encapsulated forms of cannabinoids are to remain in solution, stable and thus in its most bioavailable form.

RESET’s products come in three varieties: Function CBG, Balance CBD and Restore CBN. These were developed to benefit digestion, mood and more restful sleep.

These cannabinoid products are formulated to contain monodisperse (meaning they are the same), lipid-based nanoparticles of 120 to 150 nm. Nanoparticles below 100 nm used by brands and manufacturers are required to apply as a New Dietary Ingredient with the FDA.

The company oversees sales channels in the US, UK and Hong Kong, and its are ingredients suitable for nutraceutical, food, beverage and pharmaceutical formats.

By Benjamin Ferrer

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