Cannabis sativa contains a diverse mixture of phytochemicals that may also be useful in the development of antimicrobial materials.

In this study, researchers used extracts from different cannabis chemovars to guide the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and examined how differences in plant chemistry influenced nanoparticle formation and biological activity.

The resulting nanoparticles showed antimicrobial potential, highlighting how cannabis-derived compounds may serve as natural reducing and stabilizing agents in the development of new bioactive nanomaterials.

“The phytochemical variability in Cannabis sativa L. chemovars represents an underexplored factor in environmentally sustainable nanomaterial production.

In this study, three distinct chemovars, (i) High-Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (89% THC), (ii) Balanced (60% Cannabidiol (CBD)), and (iii) High-CBD (89% CBD), were comparatively evaluated to determine their suitability for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

Ethanolic inflorescence extracts were used to recover bioactive secondary metabolites; among them, the High-CBD extract exhibited the highest total phenolic (3.34 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoid (29.49 mg quercetine equivalent/g) contents, together with superior antioxidant capacity (53.16% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) inhibition), indicating enhanced redox potential for nanoparticle formation. The terpene profile of High-CBD showed a dominance of myrcene (21.4%), contributing to the stabilization of the system.

Using the High-CBD extract, predominantly spherical nanoparticles of 5 ± 0.9 nm were synthesized and confirmed by UV-vis, EDS, and TEM. The biogenic AgNPs demonstrated significant dose-dependent antibacterial activity, with minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1.0 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 4.5 mg/mL against Escherichia coli.

These findings highlight the critical role of chemovar-dependent phytochemical composition and support a phytochemistry-guided approach for developing silver nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42123299

“This approach pursues to emphasize the relevance of full-spectrum compositions in cannabis extracts, particularly considering the reported ‘entourage effect’, where synergistic interactions among metabolites may enhance biological activity.”

“As a recognized medicinal plant, utilizing these inflorescence-derived compounds imparts an intrinsic therapeutic ‘added value’ to the nanoparticles.”

“By leveraging the synergistic potential between the plant’s bioactive constituents … and the antimicrobial silver core, this method offers an enhanced potential for biomedical applications compared to traditional chemical synthesis.”

“The successful synthesis of small, stable, and biologically active silver nanoparticles using the High-CBD extract underscores the potential of phytochemistry-guided strategies in advancing green nanotechnology for biomedical applications.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/9/3713

Fibrous materials are increasingly being engineered to do more than provide structure—they can also be designed to resist microbial growth.

This review examines natural, inorganic and organic antimicrobial agents used in fibers and textiles, including plant-derived materials such as hemp. It explores how these agents are incorporated into fibrous systems and how they may help create surfaces with antibacterial and other protective properties.

The review highlights the growing role of bio-based fibers and antimicrobial technologies in developing safer, more functional materials.

“The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance has spurred extensive research into antimicrobial fibers.

While numerous reviews have comprehensively cataloged the classification and mechanisms of natural, inorganic, and organic antimicrobial agents, a critical gap remains: few have systematically evaluated the engineering strategies that translate intrinsic biocidal activity into durable, real-world fiber performance.

This review addresses this gap by shifting focus from encyclopedic enumeration to a problem-oriented critical assessment of performance optimization strategies. We examine recent advances in natural fibers (bamboo, hemp, chitosan, jute) and synthetic fibers modified with antimicrobial agents, with emphasis on three core challenges-poor wash durability of natural agents, aggregation and leaching of inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., Ag, ZnO, MOFs), and structural limitations of organic agents (e.g., QACs, QPSs, N-halamines, PHMB). Key optimization routes, including covalent grafting, microstructural control (e.g., triaxial microfluidic spinning), organic-inorganic hybridization, and rechargeable N-halamine systems, are critically assessed for their effectiveness in enhancing washing resistance, stability, and antimicrobial synergy.

Based on this comparative synthesis, we identify future directions-smart-responsive systems, sustainable processing pathways, and standardized evaluation protocols-to guide the rational design of next-generation high-performance antimicrobial fibers.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42513717

“Zhao and colleagues successfully converted seed-type hemp into regenerated cellulosic fibers through sequential degumming, pulping, and spinning processes”

“The resultant fibers exhibited significant antimicrobial effectiveness”

“The observed antimicrobial effects are primarily attributed to cannabinoids and their derivatives.”

“As global healthcare and sustainability challenges change, antimicrobial fibers are set to be crucial components in innovative solutions for public health protection and advanced material applications.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/19/14/2980

Dental biofilms can contribute to persistent oral infections and are often difficult to control with conventional antimicrobial approaches. Researchers are now exploring cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential oral antimicrobial, with laboratory findings showing activity against Streptococcus oralis, reduced biofilm formation, and maintained viability of human gingival epithelial cells at the concentrations tested.

“Background: The oral ecosystem harbors multiple microorganisms, including Streptococcus oralis (S. oralis), which contributes to biofilm formation and microbial virulence. To eliminate oral biofilms, mechanical intervention is combined with antimicrobial agents such as chlorhexidine, but these have limited effects. Such intervention could benefit natural antimicrobial compounds, including cannabidiol (CBD).

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effect of CBD on reducing S. oralis growth and decreasing its biofilm-forming capacity, as well as its interaction with human gingival epithelial cells, to explore its potential application as an oral antimicrobial agent.

Methodology: S. oralis was cultured in the presence of different concentrations of CBD. Bacterial growth was evaluated at different time points postexposure to CBD. Bacterial biofilm formation was investigated after 3 days of exposure to CBD using histological and quantitative analyses. The interaction between CBD and gingival epithelial cells was assessed using cell morphology, cell adhesion, and cell viability/proliferation assays.

Results: CBD inhibited planktonic growth of S. oralis in a concentration-dependent manner with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.25 μg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 25 μg/mL. CBD also significantly (p < 0.01) decreased S. oralis biofilm by disrupting its architecture. The effect on the bacterial growth and its capacity to form biofilms was observed even with a low concentration (3.12 μg/mL) of CBD. Given that antimicrobial molecules should be effective against biofilm-associated bacteria while maintaining compatibility with host tissues, this study showed that concentrations (3.12, 6.25, and 12.5 μg/mL) of CBD we tested have anti-S. oralis effect maintained human gingival epithelial cell viability.

Conclusion: CBD exhibited a significant antimicrobial effect against S. oralis. Although the bactericidal concentration was higher than the range tested in gingival epithelial cells, low and intermediate CBD concentrations inhibited S. oralis growth and biofilm formation while maintaining cell viability after 24 h of exposure. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting further investigation of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of CBD in oral health contexts.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42597385

“This study demonstrated the effectiveness of CBD at different concentrations in inhibiting the growth of S. oralis at both early and late exposure periods.

Overall, this study provides preliminary evidence supporting further investigation of CBD as a potential antimicrobial molecule against S. oralis.”

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/ijod/4609857

Cannabis compounds may influence antiviral defenses as well as inflammation. In bovine cells infected with bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, selected Cannabis sativa chemotypes altered TLR-associated innate immune gene expression and reduced viral replication, suggesting that cannabis-derived compounds may have broader immunomodulatory and antiviral potential worth further investigation.

“Cannabis sativa L. produces a wide range of bioactive metabolites, including phytocannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), which exhibit antiviral activity and modulate innate immune responses through Toll-like receptors (TLRs), particularly TLR4 and TLR7. The cross-regulation between cannabinoids and TLRs can influence the production of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides.

Given their key role in orchestrating innate immunity, particularly inflammatory responses and antiviral activity, understanding these processes in bovine immune cells is essential.

This study evaluated the immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of extracts from C. sativa chemotypes – THC-dominant (I), intermediate THC:CBD (II), CBD-dominant (III) and CBG-dominant (IV) – in bovine cells.

In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, chemotype I induced an enhanced inflammatory response, increasing TLR4 and BMAP28 transcription and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression at both transcriptional and protein levels. Similarly, chemotype IV promoted a pro-inflammatory profile characterised by increased TLR4, BMAP28 and IFNβ expression, as well as elevated TNFα protein levels.

In contrast, chemotypes II and III elicited anti-inflammatory effects. Chemotype III decreased TLR4, TLR7, BMAP28, TNFα and IFNβ transcription, although IFNγ protein levels increased. Chemotype II produced a comparable, although less pronounced, anti-inflammatory pattern, reducing TLR4, TLR7, TNFα and IFNβ while increasing BMAP28. Additionally, chemotypes II, III, and IV exhibited antiviral activity in BoAHV-1-infected MDBK cells, significantly reducing viral titres at 48 h post-infection.

Overall, these findings demonstrate that C. sativa chemotypes differentially modulate bovine innate immune gene expression and may also exert antiviral effects, highlighting their potential as dual immunomodulatory and antiviral agents in bovine infectious contexts.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42561569

“Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) produces diverse chemically active compounds, with cannabinoids being the most studied class due to their biological and therapeutic potential.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161589026001768?via%3Dihub

Infected wounds are especially difficult to treat because healing must occur while bacterial growth and inflammation are being controlled. In this study, researchers developed a new antibacterial hydrogel dressing made with natural hemp fibers and evaluated its ability to support healing in bacterially infected wounds. The material combined structural wound coverage with antibacterial activity and was associated with improved tissue repair, suggesting that hemp-derived fibers may have value in advanced biomedical dressings. The findings highlight another potential medical use of Cannabis sativa beyond cannabinoids, this time as a sustainable biomaterial for wound care.

“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

Cannabis sativa seeds contain phenolic compounds with antimicrobial activity that may also strengthen the effects of conventional antibiotics. In this study, seed extracts produced by two different extraction methods inhibited bacterial growth, while their phenolic constituents were strongly linked to the antimicrobial effects observed. The extracts also enhanced antibiotic activity against tested pathogens, suggesting that cannabis seed-derived compounds may have value both as natural antimicrobials and as partners for existing antibiotics. The findings highlight hemp seed chemistry as a promising source of antibiotic-enhancing agents.

“Hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa L.) are a rich source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential.

Still, their genotype-dependent variability and ability to enhance antibiotic efficacy remain insufficiently explored. This study compared three Romanian hemp seed cultivars (Lovrin 110, Silvana, and LV 585) extracted by conventional hydroalcoholic extraction (CE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) to evaluate their phenolic composition, antimicrobial effects, and synergistic interactions with amoxicillin and miconazole.

HPLC identified genotype- and method-dependent differences, with UAE extracts showing substantially higher levels of epicatechin, quercetin, rosmarinic acid, resveratrol, and ferulic acid. These patterns showed stronger antimicrobial inhibition against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts, confirmed by MIC, fold-reduction, and percent enhancement assays. The most pronounced synergy occurred in Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Candida albicans. PCA revealed two dominant phenolic-activity axes: a rosmarinic/resveratrol/ferulic axis associated with potent inhibition in Escherichia coli and C. albicans, and a quercetin-driven axis linked to Gram-positive bacteria.

Overall, UAE extracts displayed superior phenolic enrichment and bioactivity, demonstrating that specific phenolic structures-not total phenolic content-govern antimicrobial performance and antibiotic-enhancing potential in hemp seed extracts.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41514973

“Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) is an herbaceous, anemophilous species in the Cannabaceae family. It is considered one of the oldest domesticated crops. Due to its long history of use, it is now seen as a versatile, sustainable crop with a relatively low environmental impact and significance across sectors such as agriculture, phytoremediation, food and feed production, cosmetics, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals.”

“Hemp seed has historically served as a medicinal resource, used to address a range of conditions such as arthritis, asthma, menstrual discomfort, atopic dermatitis, cancer, hypertension, and other inflammatory diseases.”

“These findings identify hemp seeds—particularly when extracted by UAE—as promising natural antimicrobial agents and effective adjuvants for conventional antibiotics and antifungals.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/15/1/27

Cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabigerol (CBG) may become valuable partners in the fight against difficult healthcare-associated bacterial infections. In this study, combining silver with CBC and CBG produced broad-spectrum bactericidal synergy against multiple clinically important pathogens, with the three-part combination killing bacteria more effectively than the individual components alone. The findings show that lesser-known cannabinoids can enhance antimicrobial activity when used strategically with established antibacterial agents and highlight a promising new approach for combating drug-resistant and healthcare-associated infections.

“Aims: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) place substantial burden on healthcare systems globally, with growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) restricting treatment options, increasing patient mortality and raising the cost of care. Silver is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial used widely to help control HAI. However, its utility is limited by AMR and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. To address these challenges, we systematically evaluated the antimicrobial amplification properties of non-intoxicating cannabinoids, naturally occurring molecules having a narrow spectrum of antimicrobial activity, aiming to increase the antimicrobial effect of silver against gram-positive and gram-negative HAI pathogens.

Methods and results: Administered individually, silver and cannabinoid compounds CBD, CBC, CBG, CBDA, CBCA and CBGA produced modest bacteriostatic effects on time-kill analysis. Pairwise silver-cannabinoid combinations were neither synergistic nor bactericidal consistently against both Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whereas triple combinations comprising silver (as silver sulfate or nanoparticles), CBC and CBG were consistently synergistic and bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), E. coli and P. aeruginosa on time-kill analysis, and achieved up to 64-fold lowering of silver MIC on checkerboard assay. Silver-CBC-CBG triple combinations further precluded emergence of MRSA resistance on 20-day serial passaging, ameliorated the potential for cytotoxicity in fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and demonstrated significant clearing of biofilms formed by MRSA (p < 0.001) and P. aeruginosa (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The increased potency, broad-spectrum bactericidal action and anti-biofilm properties of these novel synergistic silver-CBC-CBG triple combinations may provide a useful solution for bacterial silver resistance and the control of HAI.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41983582

https://academic.oup.com/jambio/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jambio/lxag092/8654259