Marijuana to Fight Drug-Resistant Superbugs
In this new study, scientists aren’t blowing smoke when they confirm that a compound in weed could help fight off superbugs like MRSA.
At McMaster University in Canada, according to a study by the university researchers, the cannabinoid compound in marijuana has been found to defeat the MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
Cannabis or commonly known as Marijuana is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. Within the genus, the number of species is disputed. Cannabis sativa or C. sativa may be accepted as a single undivided species.
In the plant genus Cannabis, one of the more than 120 identified cannabinoid compounds found, is the chemical called Cannabigerol or CBG. The researchers made use of this chemical in their research study. According to the study, when mice suffering from the deadly and stubborn bacterial infection, cannabigerol showed to effectively treat the mice.
In a press release, the professor of biochemistry at McMaster, Eric Brown said, ” A real therapeutic potential for cannabinoids as antibodies is suggested from this study’s findings. To develop this into a drug, the study opens a narrow therapeutic window.”
Around 18 commercially available cannabinoids were tested by the scientists for this study. It included a non-psychoactive chemical, CBG which indicates that it won’t get patients high.
Brown said, “We focused on the one that had the most promising activity and the one which was a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, called CBG. At tackling pathogenic bacteria, it proved to be marvelous.”
It was discovered that the chemical targeted microscopic cell membranes and stopped bacteria from forming biofilms — microorganisms that grow on surfaces.
However, it is not mentioned or pointed out if the compound could be beneficial in fighting the novel coronavirus, in the study.
Nature journal published this study.
Marijuana to fight drug-resistant superbugs – Source
Author- Prathibha HC
