Researchers at McMaster University have identified cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychoactive cannabis compound, as highly effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Antibiotics have saved tens of millions of lives over the past century by combating bacterial infections. However, overuse—particularly in agriculture—has led some bacteria to evolve resistance, rendering many once-effective treatments useless.
Health authorities, including the WHO, warn that superbugs could claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050 without new solutions. This urgency drives the search for novel molecules that bacteria haven't encountered.
Recent advances include AI tools that rapidly identify promising compounds. One such algorithm pinpointed a molecule effective against A. baumannii, a strain resistant to all known antibiotics.
In a new study from McMaster University in Canada, scientists explored cannabis-derived molecules for antimicrobial properties. They tested 18 compounds from Cannabis sativa, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
CBG stood out for its potency. In mouse tests, it effectively targeted methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli.
CBG's success stems from its ability to disrupt bacterial biofilms—protective microbial communities on cell surfaces that shield bacteria from treatments, making superbugs vulnerable.
“CBG shows remarkable efficacy against pathogenic bacteria, suggesting cannabinoids hold real therapeutic potential as antibiotics,” said lead researcher Eric Brown.
One caveat: CBG also affects healthy host cells, causing toxicity. Further research is needed to harness its benefits safely.
Full study details appear in ACS Infectious Diseases.
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