Nanoemulsions with cannabidiol reduced autistic-like behaviors and reversed decreased hippocampus viable cells and cerebral cortex neuronal death in a prenatal valproic acid rat model

Abstract

The highly lipophilic nature and low aqueous solubility of cannabidiol (CBD) limit its oral bioavailability, resulting in poor intestinal absorption. To overcome these limitations, we proposed the production of a nanoemulsion with CBD to be included in the therapeutic treatment of autism spectrum disorder. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of CBD-rich corn oil nanoemulsion treatment in male rats born to females exposed to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy on autistic-like behaviors and hippocampal histology. Offspring rats were treated orally twice daily with CBD nanoemulsions at different doses (1 and 2 mg/animal). The endpoints evaluated were anxiety, grooming time, exploratory activity, sociability, the social preference index, and hippocampal and cerebral cortex histology. All formulations were characterized as nanoemulsions and showed a reduced vesicle size (107.6-72.6 nm), low PDI (0.290-0.432), negative zeta potential (-40.6 mv), and good stability. Prenatal exposure to VPA increased anxiety and grooming time, and reduced exploratory activity, sociability, and the social preference index in the animals. Furthermore, VPA-exposed animals exhibited elevated neuronal death and a reduction in viable cells in the hippocampus. In conclusion, CBD nanoemulsion treatment reversed autistic-like behaviors, potentially by protecting against hippocampal neuronal death.