TY  - JOUR
AU  - Buczek, Aneta
AU  - Rzepiela, Kacper
AU  - Broda, Małgorzata A.
AU  - Kupka, Teobald
AU  - Strodel, Birgit
AU  - Fatafta, Hebah
TI  - Water modulated influence of intramolecular hydrogen-bonding on the conformational properties of Cannabidiol (CBD)
JO  - Journal of molecular liquids
VL  - 423
SN  - 0167-7322
CY  - New York, NY [u.a.]
PB  - Elsevier
M1  - FZJ-2025-03014
SP  - 127033 -
PY  - 2025
AB  - Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid from Cannabis sativa, has gained significant attention due to its diverse therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anxiolytic effects. However, its clinical application is hindered by poor water solubility, which limits its bioavailability. The aim of this study is to deepen our understanding of the conformational properties of CBD, and investigate how these properties affect its solubility. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, we analyzed the axial and equatorial positions of substituents on the limonene ring and the arrangement of both hydroxyl groups. Our findings indicate that the most stable conformation of CBD involves diequatorial substitution on the limonene ring, stabilized by specific –OH⋯π hydrogen bonding interactions. All-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations in an aqueous environment revealed that while single CBD molecules maintain their conformation, multiple CBD molecules tend to cluster. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular interactions that underlies CBD’s low aqueous solubility and suggests potential strategies for enhancing its bioavailability, which could optimize its therapeutic potential.
LB  - PUB:(DE-HGF)16
DO  - DOI:10.1016/j.molliq.2025.127033
UR  - https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1043732
ER  -