Killing bacteria with cannabis

[grace]

Killing bacteria with cannabis

By Yun Xie | Published:

August 26, 2008 - 03:31PM CT

http://arstechnica.com/journals/science.ar...a-with-cannabis

 

 

Pharmacists and chemists have found another use for the multipurpose cannabis as a source of antibacterial chemicals for multidrug resistant bacteria. Ironically, inhaling cannabis is known to damage the lung's ability to fend off invading pathogens, but the ingredients in cannabis, particularly the cannabinoids, have antiseptic properties. Although scattered research has been conducted since the 1950s, no comprehensive study existed that relates the structure of cannabinoids with antibacterial activity. Giovanni Appendino, Simon Gibbons, and coworkers attempted to remedy that problem by examining the activity of five common cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives.

 

 

Five of the most common cannabinoids. All five cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, and CBN) were potent against bacteria. Notably, they performed well against bacteria that were known to be multidrug resistant, like the strains of MRSA that plagued U.K. hospitals. CBD and CBG have the most potential for consumer use because they are nonpsychotropic.

 

Besides identifying antibacterial capability, the researchers wanted to figure out why these cannabinoids are so good at killing bacteria. They obviously are very effective at specifically targeting some vital process in the bacteria. Unfortunately, even after extensive work at modifying the cannabinoids and comparing their activities, that targeting mechanism remains a mystery. The scientists were able to figure out that the position of the n-pentyl chain (orange) relative to the terpenoid moiety (blue) serves to control lipid affinity.

 

These cannabinoids are promising enough to warrant rigorous clinical trials. They are applicable as topical antiseptics, biodegradable antibacterial compounds for cosmetics, and systematic antibacterial agents.

 

J. Nat. Prod., 2008. DOI: 10.1021/np8002673

[Rose Gardener]

Oooooo. I wonder if it will help clear this bronchitis quicker?

 

~Rose.

[CitizenD]

The bacteria tend to just sit about in a haze and can't be arsed reproducing. Nobel prize.

[grace]

The bacteria tend to just sit about in a haze and can't be arsed reproducing. Nobel prize.

 

LMAO Stoner Bacteria

[Rose Gardener]

Oooooo. I'm gonna have to give mah girlfriend a call then!

 

[WantDaChronic]

if this story hits the major media it will be great for cannabis marijuana has no medicinal uses hey? well it seems to be wooping your multiple drug resistant strains of bacteria

[mull]

Cool, the earth is round

 

 

From 1839 to its removal from availability to physicians in 1937 at least 12 separate therapeutic uses for cannabis were described: analgesic-hypnotic; appetite stimulant/gastrointestinal sedative; anteipileptic-antispasmodic; prophylactic and treatment of the neuralgias, including migraine and tic douloreuz; antidepressant-tranquilizer; antiasthmatic; oxytocic; antitussive; topical anesthetic; withdrawal agent for opiate and alcohol addiction; childbirth analgesic; antibiotic.

 

http://www.mikuriya.com/cw_history.html

[Infinitee]

I've noticed that eating cannabis can cure a cold/flu/bug and yet smoking always seems to worsen it (even vaping).

 

I think this news-bit might explain why.

(That and being too stoned to move so you get a good rest in)