Hemp Proteins Conjugated with Green Tea Polyphenol Extract Form De Novo Plant‐Sourced Emulsifiers Suitable for Nanodelivery Systems Bearing Lipophilic Psychopharmaceuticals
William Charles Hosie, Abhinandan Banerjee, Mary A. Egbuta, Kasra Razmkhah, Behzad Bolandi, Khalilalrahman Dehvari, Anton A. Homon, Aleena Kappadakunnel, Jonathan J. Simone, John F. Trant
Advanced Therapeutics October 5, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202500333 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA new type of biocompatible emulsifier was created by chemically linking hemp protein with green tea polyphenols. These emulsifiers were used to produce nanoemulsions of hemp oil containing the sensitive drug 5-MeO-DMT, with droplets around 200 nanometers and stable surface charge. The polyphenols retained their antioxidant activity, protecting the drug from oxidative stress. The emulsions remained stable for four weeks without separating. Cellular imaging showed the formulation was taken up by cells, and toxicity tests indicated acceptable cell viability. This nanodelivery platform offers a way to improve the bioavailability and dosing consistency of 5-MeO-DMT.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Key finding | Hemp protein–green tea polyphenol conjugates serve as effective emulsifiers for a 5-MeO-DMT nanoemulsion that protects the drug from oxidative stress, remains colloidally stable for four weeks, and shows acceptable cell viability. |
Abstract
Abstract Nanoformulation is often used to improve the solubility and uptake of bioactives; however, it also protects sensitive bioactives from chemical decomposition. A class of biocompatible emulsifiers created by conjugating hemp protein with green tea polyphenols is reported. A simple pH‐assisted coupling protocol is employed to synthesize covalent and non‐covalent conjugates, which are then used to produce 5‐methoxy‐ N,N‐ dimethyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐DMT) enriched hemp oil nanoemulsions (NEs) in water with an average droplet size of ca. 200 nm and ζ potential values of ca. −40 mV. The de novo emulsifiers protect the sensitive drug under conditions of simulated oxidative stress, an indication that the antioxidant properties of polyphenols are retained within the emulsifier. These emulsions are resistant to a wide variety of emulsion‐breaking stressors and demonstrated remarkable colloidal stability over a period of 4 weeks with no evidence of phase separation. Fluorescence and confocal imaging confirmed cellular uptake of the formulation, while in vitro cytotoxicity assays showed acceptable cell viability with drug‐loaded nanoemulsions. The sensitivity of 5‐MeO‐DMT mandates some form of formulation for reasonable bioavailability and reproducible dosages; our novel nanodelivery platform provides an elegant solution to this problem.