A team of researchers in China have developed a novel hydrogel combining CBD and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) to enhance spinal cord injury recovery, according to a study published in Biomaterials.
The injectable hydrogel, referred to as C/F/Gel, uses PF127 and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) to deliver both CBD micelles (CBDm) and FGF21 in a sustained and stable manner directly to the injury site. The formulation aims to address the complex microenvironment that impedes healing in SCI patients, such as chronic inflammation, disrupted neuronal signaling, and degradation of therapeutic agents like FGF21.
In mouse models of SCI, C/F/Gel demonstrated the ability to significantly improve motor function, restore the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, and modulate the inflammatory response. This was achieved in part by shifting microglia to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype through activation of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R), which is a known target of CBD.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, combined with FGF21’s role in axonal growth and metabolic regulation, created a synergistic effect that outperformed treatments using either compound alone. Notably, the hydrogel was designed to overcome the challenges of CBD’s low bioavailability and FGF21’s instability in hostile environments by using a cyclodextrin-based delivery system that encapsulates and gradually releases both agents.
The findings suggest that C/F/Gel could offer a promising new therapeutic approach to spinal cord injury by combining bioactive compounds in a biomaterial-based platform. Researchers say the results warrant further investigation to determine long-term outcomes and explore clinical applications.
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