Cannabigerol (CBG) is the parent molecule from which other cannabinoids are synthesized. During the growth cycle of the cannabis plant, it is converted primarily into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), leaving only 1% cannabigerol behind in the plant. Who would have thought that such a minor plant compound may be a major superbug fighting compound? As it turns out, scientists have known about the antimicrobial properties of cannabis sativa since the 1950s.
Uncovering the hidden antibiotic potential of Cannabis
“There is much work to do to explore the potential of the cannabinoids as antibiotics from the safety standpoint,” said Eric Brown, a microbiologist who led the work at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
He and the research team were studying different cannabis compounds for their antibiotic properties. In their paper, they express that “cannabinoids exhibit antibacterial activity against MRSA, inhibit its ability to form biofilms and eradicate pre-formed biofilms and stationary phase cells persistent to antibiotics.” This discovery is very important, in the United States alone 2.8 million people become infected with an antibiotic-resistant infection, and more than 35,000 people die, every year.
Their study investigated the fighting prowess of 5 major cannabinioids, their carboxylic precursors (pre-cannabinoids) and other synthetic isomers (18 molecules total) against the mighty methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). MRSA develops a nasty, persistent biofilm upon infected necrotic tissue and on surfaces it lands on. In order to defeat MRSA, these cannabis-based compounds needed to break through a biofilm developed by whole communities of MRSA. If this isn’t enough of a challenge to deal with, MRSA infections have a tendency to develop dormant ‘persister’ subpopulations with high antibiotic resistance.
While there were many tests conducted, cannabigerol was the compound to ‘take home the gold medal’. Where the antibiotic drugs oxacillin and vancomycin had failed to kill ‘persisters’, cannabigerol quickly and effectively decimated the deadly superbug within 30 minutes. A person infected with MRSA can expect up to a 90-day window of infection after taking antibiotics. A 30-minute window in the lab is impressive, cannabigerol may be a superbug fighting cannabis compound! Their study is currently under review at the ACS Infectious Diseases journal.
To study the compound cannabigerol, Brown’s team synthesized it in the lab using the chemicals olivetol and geraniol. “We are now pursuing the required paperwork to work with a wide variety of cannabinoids,” he said.
Why would we find that a compound within cannabis is so effective at destroying MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant superbugs? As it too is a life form, cannabis plants are thought to make these compounds as a natural defense for fighting off invading pathogens. Mark Blaskovich, who studies antibiotic cannabis compounds at the University of Queensland, says:
These are likely made as a defence mechanism to protect the plant from bacterial and fungal infections, but to date have not been very useful for human infections as they really only work outside the body
He also stated that cannabis seemed to be particularly rich in antibiotics. Other plants such as tea tree, garlic, and the spice turmeric also contain antibacterials. Many studies have outlined the benefits of compounds found in plants for medicinal purposes. Today, about 40% of our prescription medicines come from plant extracts or synthesized plant compounds. It has even been found that 80% of 122 plant-derived drugs were related to their original purposes as used in folk medicine.
As modern science delves further into realizing the profound potential of plant medicine, we leave you with the statement, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
