The potential role of CBD as an antimicrobial agent gained attention when cannabinoids like CBDa and CBGa were found to inhibit COVID-19 virus activities. This discovery sparked increased interest in CBD as an antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral agent. This article delves into CBD's role as an antibiotic and explores potential interactions between CBD and antibiotics.
Antibiotics are a class of medications that are used to treat bacterial infections. They work by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth, thereby helping the body's immune system to overcome the infection. Antibiotics target specific aspects of bacterial physiology, such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, DNA replication, or other essential processes.
Antibiotics can be classified into different types based on their mechanism of action, chemical structure, or the types of bacteria they target. Common examples include penicillin, tetracycline, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. The choice of antibiotic depends on the type of bacterial infection, the specific bacteria involved, and the patient's medical history.
Yes, there are several research studies pointing to the possible role of CBD as an antibiotic. Information from research shows that CBD can kill or limit the growth of all types of bacteria. Bacteria are classified as Gram-positive and Gram-negative negative bacteria and antibiotics that can act on both type of bacteria are described as broad-spectrum antibiotics.
In a 2021 study, researchers found that a small amount of CBD is effective in killing most Gram-positive bacteria. This includes species that have become resistant to multiple drugs, like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), causing staph infections; Clostridioides difficile, responsible for colon infections; and Streptococcus pneumoniae, leading to pneumonia or pneumococcal meningitis (an infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
In addition, researchers were surprised to discover that CBD could effectively kill four types of Gram-negative bacteria known for drug resistance and potential life-threatening infections. These bacteria include Neisseria gonorrhoeae, responsible for sexually transmitted gonorrhea; Neisseria meningitidis, causing meningitis or bloodstream infections; Moraxella catarrhalis, associated with bronchitis; and Legionella pneumophila, responsible for Legionnaires' disease. The ability of CBD to target these Gram-negative bacteria, especially those with a history of drug resistance, suggests potential therapeutic applications in combating infections that may be challenging to treat with conventional antibiotics.
No! It is not advisable to combine CBD and other medications. This is because CBD interacts with liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing drugs, including certain antibiotics, potentially influencing their blood levels. Specifically, CBD inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes, like CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, which play roles in drug metabolism. Since some antibiotics share these metabolic pathways, the interaction may alter antibiotic blood concentrations, affecting their effectiveness and increasing the risk of adverse effects.
CBD inhibits certain liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing drugs, including antibiotics. This interaction can impact the blood levels of antibiotics, potentially altering their efficacy or increasing the risk of side effects. The potential for interactions can vary depending on the specific antibiotics and their metabolism pathways. Discuss your antibiotic regimen with your healthcare provider to assess the risk of interactions.
While CBD exhibits broad-spectrum antibiotic activity, it's crucial to note that most findings stem from research conducted in vessels with distinct environments compared to the human body. Therefore, while CBD may possess antibiotic properties, limited research exists regarding its potential use and effectiveness in human bodies.
CBD can interact with certain medications by affecting the activity of enzymes in the liver, particularly those belonging to the cytochrome P450 family. These enzymes play a crucial role in drug metabolism. When CBD inhibits these enzymes, it may affect the metabolism and effectiveness of medications, leading to potential interactions. Medications that come with a "grapefruit warning" are often mentioned in relation to potential interactions with CBD because both grapefruit and CBD can impact the same enzymes.
Some medications that may interact with CBD include:
Blaskovich, M. A., Kavanagh, A. M., Elliott, A. G., Zhang, B., Ramu, S., Amado, M., Lowe, G. J., Hinton, A. O., Pham, D. M., Zuegg, J., Beare, N., Quach, D., Sharp, M. D., Pogliano, J., Rogers, A. P., Lyras, D., Tan, L., West, N. P., Crawford, D. W., . . . Thurn, M. (2021). The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol. Communications Biology, 4(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01530-y
Gildea, L., Ayariga, J. A., Xu, J., Villafane, R., Robertson, B. K., & Ajayi, O. S. (2022). Cannabis sativa CBD Extract Exhibits Synergy with Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics against Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica serovar typhimurium. Microorganisms, 10(12), 2360. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10122360
Abichabki, N., Zacharias, L. V., Moreira, N. C., Bellissimo-Rodrigues, F., Moreira, F. L., L. Benzi, J. R., C. Ogasawara, T. M., Ferreira, J. C., Ribeiro, C. M., Pavan, F. R., L. Pereira, L. R., P. Brancini, G. T., L. Braga, G. Ú., Zuardi, A. W., C. Hallak, J. E., S. Crippa, J. A., Lanchote, V. L., Cantón, R., C. Darini, A. L., . . . Andrade, L. N. (2022). Potential cannabidiol (CBD) repurposing as antibacterial and promising therapy of CBD plus polymyxin B (PB) against PB-resistant gram-negative bacilli. Scientific Reports, 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-10393-8
Blaskovich, M. A., Kavanagh, A. M., Elliott, A. G., Zhang, B., Ramu, S., Amado, M., Lowe, G. J., Hinton, A. O., Pham, D. M., Zuegg, J., Beare, N., Quach, D., Sharp, M. D., Pogliano, J., Rogers, A. P., Lyras, D., Tan, L., West, N. P., Crawford, D. W., . . . Thurn, M. (2021). The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol. Communications Biology, 4(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01530-y
Gildea, L., Ayariga, J. A., Ajayi, O. S., Xu, J., Villafane, R., & Samuel-Foo, M. (2022). Cannabis sativa CBD Extract Shows Promising Antibacterial Activity against Salmonella typhimurium and S. Newington. Molecules, 27(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27092669
