Sublingual administration of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol/beta-cyclodextrin complex increases the bioavailability of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in rabbits

Life Sci. 2006 Mar 20;78(17):1911-4. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2005.08.025. Epub 2005 Nov 2.

Abstract

The bioavailability of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was determined after its sublingual administration as solid THC/beta-cyclodextrin (THC/beta-CD) complex, and was compared to oral administration of ethanolic THC, in rabbits. The absolute bioavailability of THC after sublingual administration of solid THC/beta-CD complex powder (16.0 +/- 7.5%; mean +/- SD; n = 4) is higher than the bioavailability of THC after oral administration of ethanolic THC solution (1.3 +/- 1.4%; mean +/- SD; n = 4). The results suggest that sublingual administration of THC/beta-CD complex is a useful tool in improving absolute bioavailability of THC.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Administration, Sublingual
  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dronabinol / administration & dosage
  • Dronabinol / chemistry
  • Dronabinol / pharmacokinetics*
  • Drug Administration Routes
  • Excipients / administration & dosage
  • Excipients / chemistry
  • Excipients / pharmacokinetics*
  • Female
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Rabbits
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / administration & dosage
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / chemistry
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Excipients
  • beta-Cyclodextrins
  • Dronabinol