Organisms that cause infections
such as HIV/AIDs, malaria, sexually
transmitted diseases, urinary tract
disease, chest infections, bloodstream
infections and food poisoning are
already resistant to a large range
of anti-microbials. Some cases
of tuberculosis and gonorrhoea
are already resistant to last resort
antibiotics.
The bacteria are divided into two
classes such as gram positive, which
have a thick single cell membrane
and gram negative, which have inner
and outer cells making them harder
to treat. Brown found that CBG had
little effect on the gram-negative
strains until mixed with small
quantities of Polymyxin B, an existing
antibiotic that disrupts the outer
membrane.
The cannabis compound successful
destroyed the drug resistant
pathogens. The most ‘critical’ bacteria
highlighted by the World Health
Organization are all listed as gram
negative.
more than 2.8 million antibiotic-
resistant infections occur in the US
each year and more then 35,000
people die as a result.
However, this study highlights the
need for development and research
of new antibiotics as the most recent
discovery came over 30 years ago.
Cannabis is just one plant that offers
an alternative. Other plants that have
shown antibiotic properties include
garlic and tea tree oil along with the
spices, curcumin and turmeric.
“There is much work
to do to explore the
potential of cannabinoids
as antibiotics from the
safety standpoint”
– McMaster University
Microbiologist
Statistics for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) show
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