What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: CBD.

Where was this research published?

Published in Carbohydrate polymers on April 30, 2026.

CBD hydrogel points to longer-lasting, antioxidant facial fillers

Q: What did this research study find?

A composite injectable hydrogel combining *CBD-loaded PCL microspheres* with a *CMC/CNF* matrix was developed for facial-filler applications.

Physical and biological synergistic strategies: injectable CNF/CMC hydrogels with cannabidiol@PCL microspheres for durable facial filling.

Carbohydrate polymers • April 30, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

Researchers developed an injectable facial-filler material that combines cannabidiol (CBD)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres with a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/cellulose nanofiber (CNF) gel. The design aims to address two common limitations of fillers: insufficient mechanical strength and oxidative stress associated with skin aging. Adding 1.5 wt% CNF strengthened the gel through hydrogen bonding and physical entanglement, producing a 3.7-fold improvement in mechanical properties compared with the CMC-based material.

The composite hydrogel also showed reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging activity and good biocompatibility in the reported tests. In rats, subcutaneous injection produced a durable volumizing effect and stimulated collagen synthesis. These findings suggest a potential role for CBD-containing materials in future long-lasting facial fillers, but the abstract reports preclinical animal results only and does not establish safety, effectiveness, or cosmetic benefits in humans.

💡 Key Findings

A composite injectable hydrogel combining CBD-loaded PCL microspheres with a CMC/CNF matrix was developed for facial-filler applications.

Moderate

55%

Adding 1.5 wt% CNF increased the hydrogel’s mechanical properties by 3.7-fold, according to the abstract.

Moderate

55%

The hydrogel demonstrated notable ROS-scavenging activity and excellent reported biocompatibility in testing.

Moderate

50%

In rats, the material produced a durable volumizing effect and showed strong collagen-synthesis capacity, supporting further preclinical development.

Moderate

50%

📄 Original Abstract

The growing demand for multifunctional facial fillers underscores the limitations of current materials, which often lack sufficient mechanical strength for effective filling and fail to address oxidative stress, a key factor in skin aging. To overcome these challenges, a synergistic strategy combining biological antioxidation and physical reinforcement was developed. Initially, uniform cannabidiol (CBD)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres (CP) were fabricated via microfluidic technology, then incorporated into a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/cellulose nanofiber (CNF) gel matrix, forming an injectable composite hydrogel (CMC/CNF/CP) with enhanced mechanical properties and antioxidant capabilities. According to the results, incorporating a small amount of CNF (1.5 wt%) into CMC facilitated the formation of a synergistic hydrogen bonding network and physical entanglements, significantly enhancing mechanical properties (3.7-fold). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging assays demonstrated that the hydrogel has notable antioxidant activity. Additionally, the hydrogel displayed excellent biocompatibility. Subcutaneous injection in rats revealed that the CMC/CNF/CP hydrogel exhibited a durable volumizing effect as well as a strong collagen synthesis capacity. In summary, we prepared the CMC/CNF/CP hydrogel with superior mechanical properties and sustained antioxidant properties through physical and biological synergistic strategies, offering a promising approach for the next generation of facial fillers.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Carbohydrate polymers
Published: April 30, 2026
PMID: 42173581
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125376

Authors (8)

Hongyu Wang Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Guiru Chen Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Ran Song Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Fei Wang Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Yunjian Chen Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
+3 more authors