Study: the antibacterial properties of cannabis leaves

An Indian study has investigated the antibacterial properties of cannabis leaves. The research is entitled « Antimicrobial activity of Cannabis sativa, Thuja orientalis and Psidium guajava leaf extracts against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus »and was published in Journal of Integrative Medicine. The researchers demonstrated how ethanol-based tinctures containing ground Cannabis Sativa leaves were able to inhibit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The interest of this new research lies in its ability to curb the growth of MRSA, a major pathogen in hospitals. MRSA infections are caused by a type of staphylococcus bacteria that has become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staphylococcal infections. MRSA bacteria had already demonstrated resistance to the antibiotics methicillin, penicillin, oxacillin and cefoxitin.

The study

The researchers used thin-layer chromatography technology to identify and study the bioactive molecules contained in each of the leaf extracts. In the case of cannabis, the anti-sprouting properties concern five cannabinoids as well as certain non-cannabinoid components of the plant, such as terpenoids. Results showed that leaf extracts inhibited the growth of MRSA. Other studies had previously shown that when cannabis leaf extracts were combined with those of an evergreen conifer, Thuja orientalis, the effects were much greater. This led the researchers to conclude that: «Ethanolic extract of C. sativa alone and in combination with T. orientalis provided two potential therapeutic agents for use against MRSA infections.»

At this stage, research is based solely on laboratory studies, and their effects have not yet been tested on humans. Further research will be needed before any new drugs can be developed.