Cannabis-based extracts and topical formulations for use in skin disorders

1. A method of treating or inhibiting an inflammatory skin disease in a human in need thereof comprising topically administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising:

a. a carrier formulation comprising β-caryophyllene, salicylic acid, and at least at least one of:

i. glycerin; or

ii. niacinamide; and

b. cannabis oil comprising cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, wherein the inflammatory skin disease is selected from the group consisting of spongiotic dermatitides, psoriasiform dermatitides, interface dermatitides, bullous disease, dermatitides with perivascular inflammation, vasculitis, nodular and diffuse dermatitides, seborrheic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, lichen planus, lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex chronicus, psoriasis, lichen striatus, lichen aureus, granuloma faciale, atopic dermatitis, sweet syndrome, granuloma inguinale, pyoderma gangrenosum, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, pemphigus, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, dermatitis herpetiformis, erythema multiforme, follicular occlusion triad, ruptured cyst/follicle, cutaneous T-cells lymphoma, poison ivy, nummular dermatitis, and eczema.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabidiol:tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations ratio in the cannabis oil is 1%:1%, 3%:1%, 1%:3%, or 3%:3% by weight.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises:

a. a carrier formulation comprising:

i. glyceryl stearate and PEG-100 stearate;

ii. glycerin;

iii. niacinamide;

iv. cetyl alcohol;

v. salicylic acid;

vi. allantoin;

vii. butyrospermum parkii;

viii. petrolatum;

ix. steareth-21;

x. tocopheryl acetate;

xi. lavandula angustifolia oil;

xii. xanthan gum;

xiii. dipotassium glycyrrhizate;

xiv. aloe barbadensis leaf juice;

xv. triethanolamine;

xvi. bisabolol;

xvii. disodium EDTA; and

xviii. β-caryophyllene; and

b. cannabis oil comprising cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in a 1:1 ratio.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol each is 3% by weight, and the concentration of said β-caryophyllene is 0.5% by weight.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the topically administered pharmaceutical composition provides a synergistic effect with respect to treatment of the inflammatory skin disease as compared to the effect provided by administering the carrier formulation or the cannabis oil, each alone.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the synergistic effect provided is with respect to at least one of: (a) inhibition of proliferation; (b) inhibition of inflammation; and (c) inhibition of epidermal turnover rate.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the synergistic effect is with respect to inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines secretion.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the cytokines are IL-8, IL-33 or any combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the topically administered pharmaceutical composition provides a synergistic effect with respect to reduction of hyperproliferation, reduction of IL-8 secretion, reduction of IL-33 secretion, reduction of skin inflammation, reduction of epidermal turnover rate, and any combination thereof, as compared to the effect provided by administering the carrier formulation or the cannabis oil, each alone.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the topically administered pharmaceutical composition provides a synergistic effect with respect to inhibition of skin hyperproliferation and skin inflammation as compared to the effect provided by each component of the carrier formulation (a) when administered separately in a similar concentration.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of cream, ointment, lotion, foam, film, transdermal patch and any combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administration of at least one additional therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of methotrexate, cyclosporine, hydroxycarbamide, fumarates, retinoids, efalizumab and alefacept, vitamin D and derivatives thereof, and any combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the administration of at least one additional therapeutic agent is in combination with the topically administered pharmaceutical composition so as to provide a synergistic or additive effect with respect to treating or preventing the inflammatory skin disease relative to the effect provided by the therapeutic agent administered separately.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for administration in a therapeutic dosage selected from the group consisting of:

a. a dosage of up to about 1500 mg per day;

b. a dosage in the range of from about 100 mg to about 1500 mg per day;

c. a dosage comprising an amount of up to about 30 mg each of cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol or both, and an amount of up to about 5 mg β-caryophyllene, administered once, twice or thrice daily;

d. a dosage comprising an amount of cannabidiol of up to about 30 mg per day, about up to 100 mg per day, or in the range of from about 10 mg to about 100 mg per day;

e. a dosage comprising an amount of tetrahydrocannabinol of up to about 30 mg per day, about up to 100 mg per day, or in the range of from about 10 mg to about 100 mg per day; and

f. a dosage comprising an amount of β-caryophyllene of up to about 5 mg per day, up to about 100 mg per day, or in the range of from about 3 mg to about 10 mg per day.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of cannabis oil in the pharmaceutical composition is about 10% by weight.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflammatory skin disease is psoriasis.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the topically administered pharmaceutical composition provides a synergistic effect with respect to treating symptoms of psoriasis including thickened, dry, scaly, flaky, cracked, itchy, red and or inflamed skin.