Cannabinoids-Promising Antimicrobial Drugs or Intoxicants with Benefits?

Abstract

Novel antimicrobial drugs are urgently needed to counteract the increasing occurrence of bacterial resistance. Extracts of Cannabis sativa have been used for the treatment of several diseases since ancient times. However, its phytocannabinoid constituents are predominantly associated with psychotropic effects and medical applications far beyond the treatment of infections. It has been demonstrated that several cannabinoids show potent antimicrobial activity against primarily Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). As first in vivo efficacy has been demonstrated recently, it is time to discuss whether cannabinoids are promising antimicrobial drug candidates or overhyped intoxicants with benefits.

Inhibition of MAGL activates the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway to attenuate glucocorticoid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head

“…Increasing evidence suggests that several diseases can be effectively treated by modulating endocannabinoids. [29][30][31][32][33] To determine the therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system, researchers have explored noncannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and non-CB2 receptor targets, such as MAGL. [33][34][35][36] As a key node in the endocannabinoid system, MAGL is primarily responsible for the activation of CB2 receptor and hydrolysis of 2AG.…”

The Antimicrobial Activity of Cannabinoids

“…Appendino et al investigated the antibacterial activity of five major cannabinoids and their analogs against a range of MDR S. aureus isolates [60]. It was found that cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) possesses good antimicrobial activity (MIC = 2 µg/mL, 8), which was further improved with omission of the carboxylate moiety (9). This has recently been verified by Martinenghi and co-workers, who observed that against several Gram-positive pathogens, CBD had MIC values in range of 1-2 µg/mL, compared with CBDA (2-4 µg/mL) [61].…”

“…Cannabis, or marijuana, is undoubtedly one of the most widely used illicit drugs [ 8 ]. It has a complex chemical composition that includes cannabinoids [ 9 ], which are a group of secondary metabolites, several of which are responsible for the psychotropic effects [ 10 , 11 ]. Metabolic fingerprinting of C. sativa unveiled more than 480 compounds, including many terpenes and approximately 180 cannabinoids [ 12 ].…”

Rapid Antibacterial Activity of Cannabichromenic Acid against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

“…Medicinally, however, these compounds are recognised for their analgesic activity and thus medicinal applications in various neurological and musculoskeletal disorders [ 14 ]. Previous work has revealed that cannabinoids possess inhibitory activity against a range of bacteria and fungi [ 17 ], suggesting an antimicrobial potential for these compounds. Indeed, recent efforts have described the antibiotic potential of phytocannabinoids, with a particular focus on component cannabigerol (CBG) [ 18 ].…”