Research establishes antibiotic potential for cannabis molecules

Synthetic cannabidiol, better known as CBD, has been shown for the first time to kill the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea, meningitis and legionnaires ’disease.

The research collaboration between the University of Queensland and Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited could lead to the first new class of antibiotics for immune bacteria in 60 years.

Professor Mark Blaskovich at the UQ Institute for Molecular Biology said that CBD – the main nonpsychoactive component of cannabis – can pass through and kill a wide range of bacteria including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes gonorrhea.

“This is the first time that CBD has been shown to kill certain types of Gram-negative bacteria. These bacteria have an extra outer membrane, an extra line of defense that makes it harder for antibiotics. to enter, “said Dr. Blaskovich.

In Australia, gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection and there is no longer a single reliable antibiotic to treat it because the bacteria is particularly good at developing resistance.

The study also showed that CBD was highly effective against a much larger number of Gram-post bacteria than previously known, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). or ‘golden staph’.

Dr Blaskovich said cannabidiol was particularly good at breaking down microorganisms – the narrow buildup of bacteria, such as dental plaque on the surface of teeth – that help bacteria like MRSA survive through antibiotic treatments.

Dr. Blaskovich’s team at the Center for Superbug Solutions described a two-week patient treatment in laboratory models to see how fast the bacteria moved to try to overcome the killing power of CBD.

“Cannabidiol has been shown to tend to cause adverse effects in bacteria even when we spade potential development by increasing concentrations of the antibiotic during‘ treatment ’.

“We believe that cannabidiol kills bacteria by exploding the external organs, but we still don’t know how to do it, and we need to do more research.

The research team also found that chemical analogs – created by altering the molecular structure of CBD – were also active against the bacteria.

“This is particularly encouraging as new molecular classes of antibiotics for Gram-negative diseases have not been discovered and approved since the 1960s, and we can now consider designing new analogs of CBD within developed premises. . “

Vince Ippolito, President and Executive Chairman of Botanix, said the research showed great potential for developing effective remedies to combat the growing global threat of antibiotics.

“Congratulations to Dr. Blaskovich and his team for carrying out this important research group – the published data clearly establish the potential of synthetic cannabinoids as non-chemical substances,” Mr. Ippolito said.

“Our Company is now looking to trade in non-chemical treatments which we hope will reach more patients soon. This is a major breakthrough that the world needs now. ”

Dr Blaskovich said collaboration with Botanix has spurred the research, with Botanix contributing to a creative experience that has led to the discovery that the delivery of cannabidiol makes a real difference on its effectiveness in killing bacteria.

The collaboration has allowed Botanix to advance the routine formulation of CBD to clinical trials for disarming MRSA prior to surgery.

“These Phase 2a clinical findings are expected early this year and we hope this will pave the way for treatments for gonorrhea, meningitis and legionnaires’ disease.

“Now that we have discovered that cannabidiol is effective against these Gram-negative bacteria, we are looking at its mode of action, improving its activity and finding other similar molecules to open the way for a new class of antibiotics. “

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This research was published in Communication Biology.

Explanatory Video – https: //youtu.bi /QoXF2kfIOFM

Interview photos and b-roll lab films available on request.