Vegetable oils composition affects the intestinal lymphatic transport and systemic bioavailability of co-administered lipophilic drug cannabidiol

Although natural sesame oil has been shown to facilitate the lymphatic delivery and oral bioavailability of the highly lipophilic drug cannabidiol (CBD), considerable variability remains an unresolved challenge. Vegetable oils differ substantially in composition, which could lead to differences in promotion of intestinal lymphatic transport of lipophilic drugs. Therefore, the differences in composition of sesame, sunflower, peanut, soybean, olive and coconut oils and their corresponding role as vehicles in promoting CBD lymphatic targeting and bioavailability were investigated in this study. The comparative analysis suggests that the fatty acids profile of vegetable oils is overall similar to the fatty acids profile in the corresponding chylomicrons in rat lymph. However, arachidonic acid (C20:4), was introduced to chylomicrons from endogenous nondietary sources. Overall, fatty acid composition of natural vegetable oils vehicles affected the intestinal lymphatic transport and bioavailability of CBD following oral administration in this work. Olive oil led to the highest concentration of CBD in the lymphatic system and in the systemic circulation in comparison to the other natural vegetable oils following oral administration in rats.