Antimicrobial Studies of Cannabidiol as Biomaterials against superbug MRSA

Authors

  • Kazi Naziba Tahsin School of Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada
  • David Watson Microbiology & Immunology, Western University, London Ontario, Canada
  • Amin Rizkalla Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London Ontario, Canada
  • David Heinrichs Microbiology & Immunology, Western University, London Ontario, Canada
  • Paul Charpentier Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Due to its limited treatment options, multi-drug resistant bacteria such as Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) still remains a serious public health threat. The creation of new compelling antimicrobial materials, antibiotics and optional methodologies, which are successful against resistant microbes, is earnestly required. The legalization of cannabis in Canada has provided a new opportunity to investigate the antimicrobial studies of both extracts and individual cannabinoids.

This study investigates pure cannabidiol (CBD) isolated from Cannabis sativa by using a methodology of extraction, purification, characterization, and quantification of CBD. The shredded plant material was dissolved in ethanol, with the extract further purified using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) to obtain purified CBD. Product purity was confirmed by HPLC and NMR spectroscopy. CBD’s antibacterial activity on MRSA strain USA300 bacteria was studied using dilution series in liquid culture and disk diffusion assays to provide the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC).

The results showed that CBD exhibited a significant bactericidal effect on MRSA with the MIC value of 2.5 µg/mL and MBC of 10 µg/mL. CBD powder form gave a higher antimicrobial activity than its oil form in terms of the inhibition zone. This study shows that CBD exhibits good antimicrobial impact against the MRSA strain showing its utility for enabling a new antibiotic free method for treating MRSA infections.

Keywords—CBD, antimicrobial activity, MRSA

Author Biographies

Amin Rizkalla, Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London Ontario, Canada

Professor, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Thompson Engineering Building,
Room TEB 435
Western University
Tel: 519-661-2111 ext. 82212/86086
Fax: 519-661-3498
arizkalla@eng.uwo.ca

David Heinrichs, Microbiology & Immunology, Western University, London Ontario, Canada

Professor,

Microbiology & Immunology, Western University, London Ontario, Canada,

Email:  deh@uwo.ca  

Lab Website:  https://www.heinrichslab.com 

Siebens Drake Research Institute, Room 215

Paul Charpentier, Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London Ontario, Canada

Dr. Paul Charpentier is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and Mechanical & Materials Engineering at Western University. He is a member of International Composites Research Centre (ICRC). Dr. Charpentier is also a Professor in the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR) and the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program at Western University.

Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Claudette Mackay-Lassonde Pavilion,
Room CMLP 3333
Western University
Tel: 519-661-2111 ext. 83466
pcharpentier@eng.uwo.ca

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Published

2021-05-11

How to Cite

[1]
K. N. Tahsin, D. Watson, A. Rizkalla, D. . Heinrichs, and P. Charpentier, “Antimicrobial Studies of Cannabidiol as Biomaterials against superbug MRSA”, CMBES Proc., vol. 44, May 2021.

Issue

Section

Academic