I N T H E K N OW
LANDMARK STUDY
SHOWS CBG CAN
DESTROY SUPERBUG
New research shows that Cannabigerol combats the
development of antibiotic resistant superbugs such
as MRSA
Words by Caroline Barry
S
cientists have proven that
Cannabigeriol (CBG), which
until now has been classed
as a minor cannabinoid, could be vital
in the f ight against the development
of antibiotic resistant super strains of
common infections.
In the study, which had not been
released in full at the time of
publication, scientists screened
f ive cannabis compounds for their
antibiotic properties in the f ight
to combat the rise of antibiotic
resistance and the development of
‘superbugs.’
CBG has proven as successful in
treating Methicillin-Resistant-
Staphylococcus – Aureus (MRSA) as
Vancomycin, which is widely regarded
as one of the last drugs left in the
treatment of antibiotic resistance.
The cannabinoid appeared to
successfully kill common MRSA
microbes and cells which drive repeat
infections. It also removed hard to
clear biof ilms of MRSA that form on
skin and implants.
Eric Brown, a microbiologist who
led the work at McMaster University
in Hamilton, Ontario, said that
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cannabinoids were “clearly great
drug-like compounds” but noted
the compounds would need to be
assessed for use in clinics.
“There is much work to do to explore
the potential of cannabinoids
as antibiotics f rom the safety
standpoint,” he said.
The rise in superbugs and antibiotic
resistant strains of infection is a
global issue expected to rise to 10
million deaths per year by 2050 with a
cost of $10 trillion if nothing is done. A
report f rom Public Health England in
the UK shows that there were 61,000
new antibiotic resistant infections
in 2018, an increase of 9% on the
previous year.