The Science Of Cannabinoids And Their Benefits In Personal Care Formulations

Interest in cannabinoids is soaring. That interest comes from consumers, suppliers, formulators and, unfortunately for some, regulators. James Baumgartner, Panacea Life Sciences, detailed some exciting research regarding CBD and related materials. Baumgartner presented earlier this week in a webinar sponsored by the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC). The session attracted more than 350 attendees and was moderated by Perry Romanowski.

Baumgartner cited data predicting the CBD market will triple in eight years to $80 billion by 2025. In 2019, the market for CBD-based personal care products was valued at $730 million and dominated by smaller players. That’s because multinationals remain empty of any potential regulatory activity. Still, he noted that Sephora, Burt’s Bees and Avon all entered the CBD space in 2020.

“Large, multinational brands are doing their homework, but they haven’t entered the category,” admitted Baumgartner. “We need improved regulations and standardized ingredients to get the big companies involved.”

According to Baumgartner, CBD addresses 130 health issues in seven major categories, including neuroprotection, sleep, autoimmune, anxiety, pain, cancer and metabolic.

Yet, for all the promise, there is plenty of pain regarding the regulation of this unique material. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for example, has issued more than 80 warning letters to companies. Meanwhile, US House and Senate bills have been introduced to force regulation of CBD as a dietary supplement. On the other side of the ledger, last year California legalized CBD products.

Outside the US, the regulatory picture is even more blurry. In the UK, CBD is approved as a novel food ingredient (serving size 75mg/day). Cosmetics must have a cosmetic safety report and CBD products must be less than 0.2% THC. Italy categorized CBD as a prescription drug and products were ordered off the market. CBD is legal in Canada, but difficult to export. Australia is moving toward legalization, but CBD products must be manufactured as pharmaceuticals. And in Japan, CBD is legal as long as it is derived from stems, stalks and seeds.

No matter where CBD is available, quality controls are lacking. Baumgartner cited a University of Arkansas study that was presented to the FDA in 2019. Researchers measured 13 products and found wide discrepancies between CBD label claims and total CBD levels. What’s worse, one sample contained 45% THC!

Baumgartner provided insight into standards of identity. For example:
• Full Spectrum Oil is oil that has not been altered. It contains a rich mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.
• Broad Spectrum Oil has THC removed. It contains other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.
• Isolate is a pure cannabinoid.
• Crude extract refers to oil extracted from the plant without further refinement.

Perhaps most important for cosmetic chemists, INCI nomenclature defines greater than 80% a specific cannabinoid, and less than 80%, Cannabis sativa extract.

Panacea Life Sciences has partnered with Charkit to offer CBD materials to the personal care industry. According to Baumgartner, Panacea has complete control of its supply chain and earned GMP certification a year ago. It is innovative in new cannabinoids and purposeful formulations.

“We are investing in the science behind cannabinoids to better understand health benefits,” asserted Baumgartner.

For its part, Charkit provides knowledge in the personal care space and has a broad distribution network, backed by a strong regulatory group, with regional sales and customer support.

Baumgartner described CBD as a hydrophobic, heat-stable isolate powder that melts at >67.5°C. When mixing, high shear/sonication is recommended. He detailed a mask rescue night cream formula with 0.05% CBD isolate.

“Cannabinoids inhibit skin inflammation and have applications for multiple skin conditions,” he explained. Current information is focused on skin health using CBD and THC, but other cannabinoids that might be effective include Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Cannabidivarin (CBDV), Cannabichromene (CBC) and Cannabigerol (CBG).

In skin care, CBD reduces pain, itch and inflammation, and impairs hair growth. As acne vulgaris and seborrhea treatments, CBD inhibits lipogenic actions of arachidonic acid, linoleic acid and testosterone. As a pruritis treatment, cannabinoids were found to reduce scratching as well as ioratadine and dexamethasone. As an atopic dermatitis treatment, it reduced pruritis, improved dryness, excoriation, scaling and erythema in 70% of patients. In another study, participants were able to reduce topical steroid use by 60%. Furthermore, there are other materials that may have applications.

“There’s a world of exciting potential therapies from other cannabinoids beyond CBD,” Baumgartner explained.

Thus far, researchers have identified 113 cannabinoids and more than 120 terpenes; however, cutting-edge extraction processes are required to separate and isolate each cannabinoid. The first harvest of plants rich in CBG took place in 2019. Today, technologies allow for commercial production of cannabinol (CBN). He predicted that Delta-8 THC will eventually be considered a controlled substance similar to THC. Panacea is currently exploring differences between these compounds.

In addition, other components of hemp demonstrate activity, noted Baumgartner. Terpenes give marijuana and hemp its distinctive odor and are present in full-spectrum formula.

the antimicrobial activity of cannabinoids has been documented. Research by Mark Blaskovich, University of Queensland, found that CBD, CBG and CBN kill gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA and Staphylococcus pneumonia.

“Cannabinoids have the potential to be used as an effective antibacterial against dental plaque-associated bacteria,” said Baumgartner. “They provide a safer alternative for synthetic antibiotics to reduce the development of drug resistance.”

CBG inhibits biofilm formation and quorum sensing, allowing combination with antibiotics for greater effects, according to Baumgartner. That attribute makes it a useful ingredient for hospital-grade soaps and detergents. CBG is also an effective antibiotic and, when combined with other actives, it may have broad application against a range of bugs including E. coli and A. baumannii. At the same time, the addition of CBG to oral care formulas creates a very effective mouthwash.

He cited a recent study that found CBDA and CBGA cannabinoids block covid-19 infection. The study was conducted by researchers from Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center. Two cannabinoids, CBDA and CBGA, have high affinity for the covid-19 spike proteins and were confirmed to block infection. Study results were published in the Jan. 10, 2022 issue of the Journal of Natural Products.

Baumgartner acknowledged that CBDA and CBGA concentrations in vivo were quite high, but attainable (in vitro IC50 ˜55 Um). The study results come as multiple companies launch CBDA products during the next few months.

“But more needs to be understood with clinical proof of principles,” he added.

Still, the study results have major implications for personal care. For example, CBDA and CBGA may inactivate covid and other viruses on contact. Full spectrum raw oils may provide synergies to increase potencies, too.

He cited anecdotal reports that CBG provides more powerful benefits than CBD and has unique applications. For example, CBG is thought to be particularly effective as a glaucoma treatment. As a neutroprotectant, it has positive effects in Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Huntington Disease. Perhaps most exciting for sun care product formulators, CBG has shown to inhibit cancerous tumor growth, which may have implications for melanoma. CBG has even shown positive effects in experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease.

Multiple components in hemp oil act synergistically to create greater effect.

“This entourage effect increases bioavailability and synergistic activities with cannabinoids,” explained Baumgartner. “Which may promote relaxation, mental alertness and general uplift in mood.”

Some of these components and their activities, according to Baumgartner, are:

• Myrcene: Promotes relaxation, enhances sleep and, in oral form, provides analgesia;
• Pinene: Is an expectorant, bronchodilator, local antiseptic and anti-viral;
• Limonene: Helps absorption of other terpenes weight loss and anti-viral;
• Linalool: Relaxation, sleep aid, currently used in bath products precursor to vitamin E;
• Terpinolene: Used in soaps and perfumes, promotes calmness, acts as a sleep aid;
• Camphene: When taken orally, lowers lipids;
• Humulene: appetite suppressant; other
• Caryophyllene: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-viral.

So far, there have been more than 500 identified compounds in Cannabis sativa L., including 113 cannabinoids and 120 terpenes.

He predicted that as the cannabinoid industry matures, domestic and international regulations will be better defined and quality control will be increased through GMP certifications.

“The potential of cannabinoids is immense,” concluded Baumgartner. “The challenge is to understand the benefit and ensure bioavailability through proper formulation.”

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2022/01/28/the-science-of-cannabinoids-and-their-benefits-in-personal-care-formulations/