Lipid nanoparticle compositions and methods as carriers of cannabinoids in standardized precision-metered dosage forms

Abstract

This disclosure teaches phospholipid nanoparticle compositions of cannabinoids formed from phospholipids and simpler lipids in an unfired sequential process that encapsulate a high concentration of cannabinoids, and create standardized precision-metered dosage forms of cannabinoids; yielding an increase cannabinoid transport across hydrophobic mucosa; increase the bioavailability of the cannabinoid 2-fold to 8-fold, decrease the dose of cannabinoids 2-fold to 8-fold less than an amount of cannabinoids needed to illicit the same therapeutic effect compared to raw and non-encapsulated cannabinoids; where the nanoparticle dynamic structure reduces the adverse effects of cannabinoids; and enable safe more efficacious cannabinoid therapy.

1 . A drug delivery system comprising nanoparticle structures; wherein a single layer of essential phospholipids encapsulates liquid lipids and drug in each nanoparticle structure;
 wherein the phospholipid content (weight/volume) of the nanoparticle structures is 5-30%;   wherein the nanoparticle structures have a particle size distribution from 50 to 150 nm; and   wherein the nanoparticle structures yield standardized precision-metered dose drug.   
     
     
         2 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the essential phospholipids are comprised of greater than 85% phosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         3 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle structures do not contain surfactants. 
     
     
         4 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle structures can be administered via the sublingual mucosa and buccal mucosa of a mammal. 
     
     
         5 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle structures can be administered across dermal and epidermal barriers. 
     
     
         6 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle structures can be administered across nasal mucosal barriers. 
     
     
         7 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle structures can be administered across the intestinal mucosal barriers. 
     
     
         8 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle structures are composed of an outer phospholipid membrane and adjustable viscoelastic gel lipid core. 
     
     
         9 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 ; wherein the nanoparticle increases the bioavailability of the drug 2-fold to 8-fold compared to bioavailability without nanoparticle encapsulation. 
     
     
         10 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 ; wherein the nanoparticle structures decrease the dose of drug 2-fold to 8-fold less than an amount of drug needed to elicit the same therapeutic effect compared to raw and non-encapsulated drug in a patient in need thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The drug delivery system of  claim 1 ; wherein the nanoparticle structures reduce the adverse effects of drug compared to adverse effects of drug without nanoparticle encapsulation. 
     
     
         12 . A method of drug therapy comprising treatment with the drug; wherein the drug is encapsulated in nanoparticle structures; wherein a single layer of essential phospholipids encapsulate liquid lipids and drug; wherein the nanoparticle structure has a particle size distribution from 50 to 150 nm; and wherein the nanoparticle structure yields standardized precision-metered dose drug. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the therapeutic activity of drug is increased; and wherein drug adverse effects are reduced.