Medical breakthrough as cannabis can kill superbugs and save 10 million lives a year

A surprising drug could become the first class of antibiotics in 60 years to kill resistant bacteria in diseases such as gonorrhea, meningitis and legions.

Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biosciences of the University of Queensland have discovered a new use for cannabis in their global fight to stop deadly super lice.

Laboratory studies have shown that synthetic cannabidiol, the major non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, better known as CBD, can kill bacteria in diseases such as gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection.

The research is described as a potential medical breakthrough in the world, amid predictions that by 2050 drug-resistant infections could cause 10 million deaths worldwide worldwide by 2050, unless alternative treatment is found.

The research, recently published in the journal Communications Biology, is part of a collaboration between Queensland researchers and Botanix Pharmaceuticals, leading to the first new class of antibiotics for resistant bacteria in 60 years.

‘This is the first time that CBD has been shown to kill some types of gram-negative bacteria. These bacteria have an extra outer membrane, an additional line of defense that makes it harder for antibiotics to penetrate, ‘said Mark Blaskovich, director of the Institute of Molecular Biosciences, in a statement.

Researchers have also discovered that cannabidiol is effective in killing amazing MRSA found in golden staph bacteria.

It can also be used to treat infected diabetic ulcers and wounds.

“Cannabidiol has a low tendency to cause resistance in bacteria, even though we have accelerated its potential development by increasing the concentrations of the antibiotics during ‘treatment’, ‘said Dr. Blaskovich added.

“We think cannabidiol kills bacteria by bursting their outer cell membranes, but we do not yet know exactly how it does that and we need to investigate further.”

Further trials of CBD formulations are now underway.

“We think we can design another version of CBD that can have a systemic activity,” said Dr. Blaskovich told Courier Mail.

‘We want something that does not break down in the body as fast as CBD. There is certainly the potential that the CBD could be a prototypical representative of a new class of antibiotics. ‘

Botanix president Vince Ippolito described the Queensland research as a major breakthrough.

“The published data determine the potential of synthetic cannabinoids as antimicrobials,” he said. Ippolito said.

‘Our company is now ready to commercialize viable antimicrobial treatments, which we hope will reach more patients in the near future. This is an important breakthrough that the world needs now. ‘

The pharmaceutical company will now promote a topical formulation in clinical trials.

“The clinical results of phase 2a are expected early this year and we hope it will pave the way for treatment for gonorrhea, meningitis and legionnaires’ disease,” said Dr. Blaskovich said.

‘We have now established that cannabidiol is effective against these Gram-negative bacteria. We are looking at how it works, improving activity and finding other similar molecules to pave the way for a new class of antibiotics. ‘

Dr. Blaskovich estimates that it will take 10-15 years before it becomes an approved antibiotic if further trials are successful.