Cannabinoids from C. sativa L.: Systematic Review on Potential Pharmacological Effects against Infectious Diseases Downstream and Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

Cannabis sativa L. has garnered attention as a potential source for new antimicrobial agents, particularly due to the increased prevalence of microbial resistance to conventional antimicrobials and the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

This review, conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 statement, systematically analyzed the antimicrobial properties of C. sativa extracts and cannabinoids against various bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Data were collected from the scientific literature (102 papers) and clinical trials (5 studies) from 2014 to June 2024.

Findings revealed that cannabinoids, especially CBD, demonstrate significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria like MRSA, Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, various Candida species, SARS-CoV-2, and HIV. Additionally, CBD showed efficacy against parasitic infections like Echinococcus granulosus and Leishmania species.

These results suggest that cannabinoids may represent a new class of antimicrobial agents with unique and diverse mechanisms of action, potentially effective in broad-spectrum therapies.

This study highlights the urgent need for further research and standardized clinical trials to validate these findings and to develop cannabinoid-based treatments.

The antimicrobial properties of C. sativa align with WHO priorities and support global health initiatives, offering promising avenues for addressing antimicrobial resistance and improving public health outcomes.”

Cannabis sativa L., part of the natural products arsenal, has been a rich source for identifying new therapeutic agents. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using C. sativa and understanding how its bioactive compounds—phytocannabinoids—support the prevention and treatment of various diseases and conditions. This interest is particularly relevant given the growing prevalence of microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics and the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.”

Cannabis extracts and cannabinoids have demonstrated the capacity to inhibit the growth of certain bacterial strains at concentrations comparable to traditional antimicrobials. These findings represent a significant advancement in the battle against antimicrobial resistance, offering a perspective for future treatments.”

“The ability of Cannabis to combat antimicrobial-resistant infections, potentially in combination with traditional antimicrobials, could substantially contribute to global health by providing novel treatment avenues and reducing the burden of infectious diseases worldwide.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9879/4/3/33

In vivo and in silico wound healing potential of Cannabis Sativa seed oil through inflammation mediators

Background: This study investigates the wound healing potential of Cannabis Sativa seed oil (CSSO), derived from the industrial hemp variety ‘NARLI’. The rich essential fatty acid profile of CSSO presents promising therapeutic opportunities; however, its specific in vivo efficacy and targeted molecular mechanisms in wound management remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo tissue regeneration dynamics and the in silico anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CSSO derived from the ‘NARLI’ hemp variety in an excision wound model.

Methods: Using an excision wound model, 42 rats were divided into two groups: control (untreated) and CSSO-treated. Wound healing was assessed through clinical wound area measurement, histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and molecular docking analyses. Wound area measurements were taken on days 7, 14, and 21.

Results: On day 21, CSSO-treated animals showed a significantly higher wound closure rate (93%) compared to the control group (87.55%) (p = 0.005). Histopathological analysis revealed enhanced neovascularization, increased collagen deposition (p = 0.008), reduced inflammatory cell infiltration (p = 0.020), and increased epithelial proliferation in the CSSO group. Immunohistochemistry findings showed a marked decrease in proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β (p = 0.023) and TGF-β (p = 0.030), and a notable upregulation of angiogenesis and proliferation markers VEGF (p = 0.031) and Ki-67 (p = 0.001). Molecular docking analyses revealed that CSSO-derived fatty acids showed binding affinities (-5.3 to -7.5 kcal/mol) with anti-inflammatory-related proteins (COX-2 and NLRP3) and (-3.1 to -6.1 kcal/mol) binding affinities with wound healing-related proteins (SIRT1 and GSK3β), suggesting a possible mechanistic basis underlying the wound healing potential of CSSO.

Conclusions: Topical application of CSSO was associated with improved wound healing outcomes in rats, including enhanced wound closure and favourable histopathological and immunohistochemical changes. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the mechanisms involved.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42426779

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12906-026-05462-8

Evaluating the Combined Effects of Cannabinoids and Music, and Their Interactions in Mood and Emotional Regulation: An Online Survey

Background: While both cannabis and music have demonstrated significant independent impacts on emotional states, the synergies between these two modalities remain underexplored. This study investigates the interactions between cannabis consumption and music listening, focusing on their effects on emotional experiences, mood regulation, and sensory perceptions.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey consisting of 176 questions was administered to 122 cannabis users. The survey captured detailed information on demographics, cannabis use patterns, music engagement behaviors, emotional responsiveness, and the interplay between cannabis and music perception.

Results: Most participants viewed the combination of cannabis and music favorably, reporting enhanced relaxation, improved mood, and increased feelings of connection. Cannabis use was also associated with altered responses to imposed music in various settings and a heightened likelihood of using music during routine activities. In addition, participants frequently reported the use of cannabis as a substitute for pharmaceutical treatments for pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders, with music further amplifying these therapeutic effects. However, no significant differences were observed in overall music reward experiences with or without cannabis, highlighting the nuanced and context-dependent nature of these interactions.

Conclusion: These findings provide novel insights into the potential for cannabis and music to act as complementary tools for emotional well-being, underscoring the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their combined effects. This study provides a foundation for future investigations into the therapeutic integration of music as a supportive adjunct to cannabinoid-based interventions targeting emotional and psychological health.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42421248

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/25785125261467505

Effect of a cannabidiol-based mouthwash on dental enamel properties and biofilm control: an In situ study

Objectives: This study evaluated the antibiofilm activity of experimental mouthwash containing different concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) and the in situ effects on the physical and mechanical properties of dental enamel.

Methods: Bovine enamel fragments (6 × 6 × 2 mm) were mounted in intraoral appliances worn by 14 participants in a crossover design. Mouthwash containing CBD (0%, 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1%) and 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) were tested. Each experimental phase lasted 7 days, separated by washout periods. One side of the appliance was exposed to a cariogenic challenge (20% sucrose) prior to treatment. Surface roughness (Ra), microhardness (%KHN), and color change (ΔE00) were measured before and after treatments. Biofilm and yeast counts (log10 CFU) were quantified, and enamel surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests and Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn’s test (P < 0.05).

Results: Sucrose did not significantly affect Ra (P > 0.05), although CBD 0.1% showed higher roughness than CHX under sucrose exposure (P < 0.05). No significant differences in %KHN were observed among treatments; however, sucrose reduced microhardness in the placebo and CBD 0.01% groups (P < 0.05). CHX exhibited the highest ΔE00 values (P < 0.05). Biofilm formation was similar among CHX, CBD 0.05%, and CBD 0.1% (P > 0.05), while CHX showed lower yeast counts than CBD 0.01% and CBD 0.1% (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: CBD 0.05% demonstrated potential for biofilm control without adversely affecting enamel properties.

Clinical relevance: This study provides evidence supporting a natural compound-based mouthwash as a clinically viable alternative to chlorhexidine, showing similar efficacy and no associated adverse effects under the conditions tested.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42380527

“Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) has been considered the gold standard mouthwash in dentistry for several decades. It is a cationic bisbiguanide with bacteriostatic activity at low concentrations and bactericidal effects at higher concentrations. However, its long-term use has been associated with several adverse effects, including taste alteration, tooth and tongue staining, oral mucosal irritation, parotid gland swelling, xerostomia, and the potential development of antimicrobial resistance.”

“Based on the findings of this study and considering its limitations, it can be concluded that cannabidiol-based mouthwashes were able to modulate dental biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner, with higher concentrations (0.05% and 0.1%) demonstrating performance similar to chlorhexidine in reducing biofilm accumulation, influencing its structural organization, and maintaining relative microhardness. This effect did not result in alterations to enamel surface topography. However, cannabidiol-based mouthwashes maintained color closer to acceptability thresholds.”

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00784-026-06985-7

Cannabinoids infused mouthwash products are as effective as chlorhexidine on inhibition of total-culturable bacterial content in dental plaque samples

Background: Dental plaque is a global health problem affecting people of various age groups. Cannabinoids are gaining enormous research attention due to its beneficial properties for various applications. A preliminary observation on antimicrobial property of cannabinoids against dental plaque bacteria has been reported recently. As a follow-up research, here we report the in vitro evaluation of cannabinoids infused mouthwash products against total culturable (aerobic) bacterial content from dental plaque samples.

Methods: We tested two cannabinoid-infused mouthwash products containing cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) respectively (each mouthwash containing < 1% cannabinoid by weight) in vitro against total-culturable bacteria from dental plaque samples collected from 72 adults aged between 18 and 83 years. The participants were grouped on the basis of Dutch periodontal screening index (DPSI) score. To compare the efficacy of our products, we included two most commonly available products over the counter (Product A and Product B) to represent commercially available mouthwash products and the gold standard chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% as a positive control. The product A represents mouthwash containing essential oils and alcohol, and Product B represents alcohol-free mouthwash that contains fluoride. All the mouthwash products were evaluated directly as such without any dilution through disc diffusion and agar well diffusion approaches and the diameter of zone of inhibition was measured. The limitation in methodology was that, the samples were open-label and the person who performed the manual measurements was unblind to test and control products used.

Results: On average, the cannabinoids infused mouthwash products showed the similar bactericidal efficacy as that of chlorhexidine 0.2%. Both chlorhexidine 0.2% and cannabinoids infused mouthwash products were effective against all the samples tested. Product A did not show any significant antimicrobial activity in any of the samples tested, except that a very marginal inhibition with a zone of 7-8 mm was observed only in 9 samples. Product B did not show any detectable inhibition zone at all in any of the samples tested. The ranges of zones of inhibition (and their average) were 8-25 mm (18.1 mm) for CBD-mouthwash, 8-25 mm (17.7 mm) for CBG-mouthwash; 12-25 mm (16.8 mm) for chlorhexidine 0.2%; 0-8 mm (0.1 mm) for Product A; and 0 mm for Product B. Although the difference in performance was slightly higher than chlorhexidine in both the cases, the difference was statistically significant for CBD-mouthwash and near significant for CBG-mouthwash. No significant difference was observed between CBD- and CBG-mouthwash. No significant difference in performance was found between DPSI score groups for any of the product tested. To our knowledge this is the first report on such efficient mouthwash product with natural key ingredients including cannabinoids and without any kind of fluoride or alcohol.

Conclusions: Our in vitro results demonstrate the potential of cannabinoids in developing efficient and safer mouthwash products and next generation oral care products without fluoride and alcohol.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33526124

“Cannabinoids (CBD / CBG) infused mouthwashes together with other natural key ingredients shows promising bactericidal activity in vitro against total-culturable aerobic bacterial content in dental plaque, with efficiency equivalent to or better than that of the gold standard (0.2% chlorhexidine). CannIBite mouthwash products with cannabinoids infusion offer a safer and effective alternative without any fluorides or alcohol. Based on our in vitro study, the cannabinoids infused CannIBite mouthwash products offer a much safer, efficient and natural alternative to alcohol and/or fluoride containing mouthwashes.”

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-020-00027-z

Modulation of Respiratory Diseases by the Endocannabinoid System: A Therapeutic Perspective

“Respiratory system diseases represent a major global health burden, characterized by high prevalence and significant morbidity and mortality.

The respiratory tract’s direct and continuous exposure to the external environment makes it particularly vulnerable to pathogens, pollutants and other injurious agents. This exposure often triggers excessive inflammatory responses and compromises the integrity of the air-blood barrier, leading to impaired gas exchange, hypoxia and respiratory failure. Therefore, modulating pulmonary inflammation and enhancing barrier function are critical therapeutic objectives.

The endocannabinoid system, a ubiquitous signalling network comprising cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands and metabolic enzymes, has emerged as a crucial modulator of these processes.

This review summarizes the role of the ECS in major respiratory diseases, including asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory syncytial virus infection and acute lung injury.

The evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting the ECS through strategies such as receptor-specific ligands and inhibitors of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes. However, the context-dependent nature of ECS modulation necessitates precise intervention.

Future efforts should focus on developing selective therapeutics and validating their efficacy in clinical settings, positioning the ECS as a sophisticated target for innovative respiratory disease management.”

“Lung diseases such as asthma, fibrosis and infections are major health problems worldwide. The lungs are constantly exposed to the outside air, making them vulnerable to harmful substances that cause inflammation and damage. This review explores how a natural signalling system in our body—called the endocannabinoid system—helps control lung inflammation and repair. We summarize recent findings on how this system affects different lung diseases and discuss new treatment strategies that target it. While promising, these approaches need to be precisely targeted because the system works differently depending on the specific disease. Understanding this system could lead to better treatments for patients with lung diseases.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42363690

“The endocannabinoid system plays a pivotal role in modulating key pathological processes in respiratory diseases, including inflammation, fibrosis, airway hyperresponsiveness and barrier dysfunction. CB2R activation generally exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, while CB1R influences airway tone and tissue remodelling. Enhancing endocannabinoid levels through inhibition of metabolic enzymes such as FAAH and MAGL also shows therapeutic potential in attenuating lung injury. However, the context-dependent and pleiotropic nature of ECS signalling necessitates precise, disease-specific targeting.

Future efforts should focus on developing receptor-selective agents and advancing translational studies to harness the ECS as a viable therapeutic strategy in respiratory medicine.”

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcpt.70267

“The potential of cannabinoids and inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation in respiratory diseases”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34648805


Endocannabinoid signalling in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary neuroendocrine circuits: A review

“The endocannabinoid system (ECS), comprising cannabinoid receptors, endogenous lipid ligands, and enzymes that regulate their synthesis and degradation, has emerged as an important modulator of neuroendocrine regulation.

This review summarises current evidence on the role of endocannabinoid signalling in hypothalamic-pituitary neuroendocrine circuits, with particular focus on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical, gonadal, thyroid, and somatotropic axes, as well as prolactin and posterior pituitary hormones regulation.

Available data indicate that endocannabinoid signalling predominantly influences neuroendocrine function by modulating synaptic transmission within hypothalamic circuits. Acting mainly as retrograde messengers at presynaptic CB1 receptors, endocannabinoids regulate excitatory and inhibitory inputs to neurosecretory neurons and thus shape endocrine output in a context-dependent manner.

Among the systems discussed, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis is the best characterised, with relatively well-defined links between glucocorticoid feedback and rapid endocannabinoid-mediated suppression of synaptic input to corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons.

In other neuroendocrine systems, evidence supports a predominantly modulatory, often inhibitory, role for endocannabinoid signalling, although the underlying cellular processes remain less well-defined and are largely based on preclinical studies. Interactions with glucocorticoids, gonadal steroids and neuropeptidergic pathways further underscore the integrative nature of ECS signalling.

Overall, the ECS should be viewed not as a primary endocrine driver, but as a dynamic regulatory network that fine-tunes the translation of neural activity into hormonal responses.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42365630

https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/enr-2026-0011


Sedative and anesthetic-sparing effects of perioperative full-spectrum cannabis oil in female dogs undergoing unilateral mastectomy and ovariohysterectomy

“The anesthetic management of female dogs with mammary neoplasia, usually classified as ASA II and undergoing invasive procedures such as mastectomy and ovariohysterectomy, requires effective sedation and anesthetic stability due to the increased anesthetic risk associated with advanced age and underlying disease.

In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the sedative effects and reduction in anesthetic requirements of a full-spectrum cannabis oil (FSCO) containing cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in female dogs undergoing mastectomy and ovariohysterectomy.

Twenty dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (n = 10), treated with FSCO (0.02 mL/kg PO; 0.2 mg/kg CBD and 0.12 mg/kg THC) twice daily for seven days, plus 0.2 mL/kg (2 mg/kg CBD; 1.2 mg/kg THC) one hour before premedication; and group B (n = 10), treated with placebo. Groups A and B had similar ages (9.6; 10.2 years) and weights (7.4; 6.8 kg). Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Outcomes included sedation scores, anesthetic requirements, rescue analgesia, responses to instrumentation, and adverse effects. The treated group required less propofol (2.33 vs. 5.98 mg/kg; p = 0.001) and lower sevoflurane concentrations from T0 to T4 (p < 0.05). Sedation scores were higher at 40 and 60 min (median of 4 vs. 0, and 6.5 vs. 0.5; p = 0.015 and p = 0.002, respectively). Fewer treated dogs required rescue analgesia (3/10 vs. 6/10; p = 0.178). No differences were observed in catheterization, intubation, or adverse effects.

Preoperative CBD/THC oil produced sedative effects and reduced anesthetic requirements without clinical complications.

These findings support the potential of cannabinoids as safe adjuvants in multimodal anesthesia in veterinary medicine.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42348039

“The findings of this study indicate that preoperative administration of full-spectrum Cannabis sativa oil containing CBD and THC exerts significant sedative and anesthetic-sparing effects in female dogs with mammary neoplasia undergoing mastectomy and ovariohysterectomy.

The use of this phytocannabinoid extract significantly reduced the required doses of both propofol for induction and sevoflurane for maintenance, supporting its potential as an adjuvant in multimodal anesthetic protocols. Furthermore, the therapy was not associated with clinical adverse effects or compromised anesthetic safety, suggesting a favorable safety profile for perioperative use in oncological patients.”

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11259-026-11367-1

Preparation of new natural hemp fiber-based antibacterial hydrogel dressing and its performance in promoting wound healing of bacterial infection

“Bacterial infections can lead to wound inflammation and delay wound healing due to the cytotoxicity of the chemicals used in conventional wound dressings. Therefore, developing a new natural and non-toxic form of antibacterial hydrogel dressing is very important.

In this study, natural hemp fibers were used as the internal skeleton of hydrogels, combined with N-halamine antimicrobial nanosystems, and chitosan reaction was used to prepare Schiff base-type N-halamine hemp fiber-based hydrogels (N-hemp-gel).

This is mainly due to the unique polygonal cavity structure and phenolics of the hemp fibre itself, as well as the release of oxidized halide ions by N-halamine through electrostatic action, and the oxidation of bacterial enzymes and other intracellular compounds, which synergistically and significantly enhance the antimicrobial properties of the wound dressing.

Antimicrobial experiments showed that N-hemp-gel had significant bactericidal effects against both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In a mouse model of infected wounds, N-hemp-gel showed a 100 % wound healing rate on day 7 with no visible scarring. Storage stability confirmed that the chlorine content of N-hemp-gel decreased by only 25.5 % after 30 days at room temperature. Renewability demonstrated that the chlorine content of N-hemp-gel decreased by only 0.54 % after ten cycles.

This natural hemp fibre hydrogel with excellent antimicrobial properties, good storage stability and renewability, and green environmental protection has a broad prospect in the field of wound dressing and biomedicine.”

“Hemp fibre belongs to the bast natural fibre, is extracted from the stem of the hemp plant, is the highest toughness of natural fibres, can be naturally decomposed green fibre, through photosynthesis can be renewable, and more than 60 kinds of unique phenolic substances in the hemp hemp fibre makes hemp fibre has excellent anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory function.”

“In this study, N-halamine Schiff base type cannabinoid cellulose based hydrogels were successfully prepared.

Antibacterial assays demonstrated that the material exhibits significant antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, effectively addressing the innate lack of antibacterial properties in cellulose materials, while also offering good storage stability and renewability.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927775725009112

A cannabidiol-containing alginate based hydrogel as novel multifunctional wound dressing for promoting wound healing

“In addition to preventing infection and promoting angiogenesis, novel hydrogel dressings are highly expected to possess the potential to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce inflammatory responses during the wound healing process.

In this study, we designed and fabricated a hydrogel dressing (CBD/Alg@Zn) containing cannabidiol (CBD) based on the ion crosslinked interaction between Zn2+ ions and the alginate polymer (Alg).

The as-fabricated hydrogel exhibited a suitable swelling ratio, sufficient thermal stability, and stable rheological property. In vitro biological activity experiments indicated that the hydrogel has good biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and angiogenesis properties. Moreover, it could significantly scavenge DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals and reduce the inflammatory response.

In vivo studies revealed that the CBD/Alg@Zn hydrogel significantly facilitated the wound healing process by controlling the inflammatory infiltration, promoting collagen deposition and the granulation tissue, and benefiting the formation of blood vessels.

We, therefore, suggested that CBD/Alg@Zn hydrogel should be a potential candidate material for wound dressing and skin tissue engineering.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35523648/

“A cannabidiol-containing alginate based hydrogel (CBD/Alg@Zn) was developed as novel multifunctional wound dressing.•

The Alg@Zn hydrogel not only acts as a drug carrier but also shows significantly anti-bacterial and angiogenic activities.•

The introduction of cannabidiol (CBD) endowed the hydrogels with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.•

The CBD/Alg@Zn hydrogel showed accelerated wound healing effect in vivo.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0928493121007001?via%3Dihub