Growing concern about antibiotic resistance has made the search for new antimicrobial agents more critical than ever. Recent research has indicated that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid from the cannabis plant, may have antimicrobial properties.
Today on the Cannactiva blog we delve into the potential of CBD as an antibiotic, examining its mechanisms of action, its efficacy against bacterial strains and its possible role in future antimicrobial therapies.
What is an antibiotic?
Antibiotics are medicines designed to treat or prevent infections caused by bacteria. They work by killing bacteria or stopping their growth; however, bacteria have the ability to evolve and develop resistance to these medicines.
Is CBD an antibiotic?
Recent research indicates that CBD possesses antimicrobial properties which, while not making it an antibiotic as such, may enhance the antibacterial capacity of some antibiotics (1).
CBD's antimicrobial mechanism of action
The exact mechanism by which cannabidiol exerts an antibiotic effect is not fully understood and is still under study. Preliminary research suggests that CBD alters the outer cell membranes of certain bacteria, resulting in bacterial cell death (2).
Another hypothesis is that cannabidiol interferes with bacterial biofilm (3). Biofilms are protective layers produced by bacteria that contribute significantly to their resistance to traditional antibiotics. CBD's interference with the formation of this biofilm points to its potential to combat resistant bacterial strains.
What does it mean for CBD to have antibiotic properties?
CBD is not an antibiotic, but it has characteristics that can reduce bacterial growth. As a result, it has the ability to enhance the antimicrobial effect of some antibiotics.
Bear in mind that the studies suggesting that CBD has antibiotic properties have been carried out in bacterial cultures, and conclusive results, especially in clinical settings, have not yet been published.
What kind of CBD products can be antibiotics?
It is important to keep in mind that the idea of CBD as an antibiotic is still under investigation. Although the evidence points to optimistic results, only with time and research will we find more accurate answers.
As research progresses, the medical community will gain a clearer understanding of where CBD stands in the field of antibiotics.
There is a wide variety of CBD products, from CBD oils to CBD edibles, but there is no scientific evidence that these products help to treat bacterial infections in humans.
However, some research on CBD oil has suggested that its antibacterial effects could help against skin infections, as could another cannabinoid found in cannabis, cannabigerol (CBG) (4).
Has pure CBD shown antibiotic properties?
It is essential to distinguish between whole cannabis plant extracts and CBD isolate. For the most part, studies have shown the antibiotic properties of pure CBD, extracted from the cannabis plant.
Unfortunately, there are still no studies on full spectrum CBD extract; research is in its early stages.
Can CBD replace antibiotics?
CBD offers a novel mode of action against bacteria, but it should not be considered a direct substitute. More research is needed to understand its full potential and limitations.
In what cases has CBD proven to be an effective antibiotic?
To date, in vitro studies have provided information on the potential of CBD as an antimicrobial agent. However, comprehensive clinical trials in humans are scarce. Studies in cell cultures have shown that CBD:
- Reduces the bacterial growth of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella newington (2).
- Reduces the release of vesicles that are crucial for the survival of Escherichia coli (1).
- Reduces the formation of the biofilm of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans, the latter being partly responsible for tooth decay (3, 5). The biofilm is fundamental to the ability of these microorganisms to cause disease.
CBD's potential as a new antibiotic lies in its unique mechanism of action, which could reduce the likelihood of bacteria developing resistance.
In addition, its anti-inflammatory properties could prove beneficial in the treatment of bacterial infections that cause inflammation.
CBD dosage as an antibiotic
Dosages in the studies mentioned vary, but the concentrations used often exceed those commonly found in over-the-counter CBD products, as the CBD is applied to bacterial cultures under in vitro conditions.
Limitations and concerns with CBD as an antibiotic
The antimicrobial potential of CBD looks promising, but it is vital to understand its limitations. The bioavailability of CBD, the optimal dosage for antibacterial activity and potential side effects, especially with long-term use, remain areas of concern and active research.
Other antibiotic cannabinoids
In addition to CBD, other cannabinoids such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG) have shown antimicrobial properties (6). Although it has not been proven, the synergy between several cannabinoids, known as the “entourage effect”, could perhaps improve the antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotic treatments.
CBD in other infections
CBD has been studied for its potential benefits in HIV/AIDS, mainly for symptom control, rather than for its antimicrobial properties.
While some studies examine the potential of CBD to reduce severe inflammatory responses in patients with COVID-19, it is not being directly investigated for antiviral properties against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Conclusion
CBD has brought a little hope to the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance. The preliminary data paint a promising picture, but there is still a long road of painstaking research ahead. Hopefully, in the coming years, with the relevant scientific evidence, CBD could become a new line of defence against disease-causing bacteria.
Note: This is an informative article and is not intended to prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. Its content may complement, but should never replace, any diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom. Cannactiva products are not medicines and are intended for external use. The data shown reflect the scientific evidence up to the date of publication; bear in mind that new advances may have emerged since then. For all these reasons, consult your doctor before using CBD.
References
- Kosgodage, U. S., Matewele, P., Awamaria, B., Kraev, I., Warde, P., Mastroianni, G., Nunn, A. V., Guy, G. W., Bell, J. D., Inal, J. M., & Lange, S. (2019). Cannabidiol Is a Novel Modulator of Bacterial Membrane Vesicles. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 9, 324. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2019.00324
- Gildea, L., Ayariga, J. A., Ajayi, O. S., Xu, J., Villafane, R., & Samuel-Foo, M. (2022). Cannabis sativa CBD Extract Shows Promising Antibacterial Activity against Salmonella typhimurium and S. newington. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(9), 2669. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27092669
- Feldman, M., Sionov, R. V., Mechoulam, R., & Steinberg, D. (2021). Anti-Biofilm Activity of Cannabidiol against Candida albicans. Microorganisms, 9(2), 441. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020441
- Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 13, 927–942. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S286411
- Barak, T., Sharon, E., Steinberg, D., Feldman, M., Sionov, R. V., & Shalish, M. (2022). Anti-Bacterial Effect of Cannabidiol against the Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans Bacterium: An In Vitro Study. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(24), 15878. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232415878
- Farha, M. A., El-Halfawy, O. M., Gale, R. T., MacNair, C. R., Carfrae, L. A., Zhang, X., Jentsch, N. G., Magolan, J., & Brown, E. D. (2020). Uncovering the Hidden Antibiotic Potential of Cannabis. ACS infectious diseases, 6(3), 338–346. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00419
