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Canna~Fangled Abstracts

A recent update on the antibacterial effects of distinct bioactive molecules derived from the Cannabis plant

By October 29, 2024October 31st, 2024No Comments

Review

doi: 10.1556/1886.2024.00098.

Online ahead of print.
Affiliations 

Abstract

The number of human infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is increasing worldwide and constitutes a serious threat to human health. Given the lack of novel antibiotic compounds worsening this dilemma, alternative antibiotic-independent treatment and prevention strategies of infectious diseases applying natural compounds appear highly appreciable. Given the long-known health-beneficial and disease-alleviating properties of Cannabis, we performed a literature search summarizing current knowledge regarding the antibacterial effects of extracts from different parts of the Cannabis sativa plant and of defined Cannabis-derived molecules and their potential mode of action. The included studies revealed that various extracts and essential oils of C. sativa as well as major cannabinoids exerted potent activities against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria and against some Gram-negative bacterial species including MDR strains. Particularly the disruption of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane by some cannabinoids resulted in potent antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, defined cannabinoids inhibited the formation of and eradicated existing bacterial biofilms. In conclusion, given their antibacterial properties distinct Cannabis-derived molecules expand the repertoire of antibiotics-independent treatment options in the combat of bacterial infectious diseases which should be further addressed in future studies including clinical trials.

Keywords: Cannabis, Cannabis sativa, anti-biofilm effects, antibacterial effects, antibacterial synergies, cannabinoids, multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, natural compounds, novel antibacterial therapies

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