CBD and THC nanoemulsions showed anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects in mice

In acute seizure tests, CBD and THC at 3-10 mg/kg and their 1:1 combinations increased latency to generalized seizures and improved survival. In the chronic kindling model, CBD 10 mg/kg and CBD/THC at 1.5 and 3 mg/kg delayed seizure progression, while reducing oxidative stress and brain inflammation markers.

Mice received nanoemulsion formulations of CBD, THC, or 1:1 CBD/THC combinations orally one hour before pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) injection. In the acute model, a single high-dose PTZ induced seizures. In the chronic model, PTZ was given every other day for 21 days to model kindling. Behavioral, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses assessed seizure response, oxidative stress, and astroglia activation.

While CBD is already approved for certain epilepsies, this study tests nanoemulsion delivery systems that may improve bioavailability and shows that lower-dose CBD/THC combinations can match the anticonvulsant effects of standard treatment. The finding about astrogliosis reduction adds mechanistic insight.

The observation that the highest combination dose (6 mg/kg) failed to prevent kindling while lower doses succeeded suggests a non-linear dose-response, possibly related to THC's biphasic effects. The nanoemulsion vehicle itself improved cannabinoid delivery, which could be relevant for future formulation development.

Mouse seizure models do not perfectly replicate human epilepsy. No cannabinoid treatment prevented cognitive impairment in memory tests. The study cannot determine whether nanoemulsion formulation offers advantages over standard CBD delivery in humans. Only male mice were used.