Cannabidiol Found To Be An Effective Antifungal Treatment
A team of academic researchers based in Australia and the United Kingdom recently collaborated on a study examining cannabinoids and their ability to be used in antifungal treatment regimens. The researchers found cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) to be particularly effective.
“Fungal infections pose a major threat to human health with increasing incidence of antifungal resistance globally. Despite the need for novel antifungal drugs, few are currently in clinical development.” the researchers wrote. The study’s findings were published in the academic database PLOS.
The cannabis plant is made up of dozens of cannabinoids, with CBD being a particularly popular cannabinoid in recent years for researchers. CBDV is a lesser-known cannabinoid, and research focused on it is more limited compared to CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
“Here we evaluate the antifungal activity of five phytocannabinoids against several clinically relevant fungal pathogens, with a focus on the priority pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.” the team of researchers stated in their published review. “Our results demonstrate that Cannabidiol (CBD), and particularly Cannabidivarin (CBDV), have broad activity against C. neoformans and other fungal pathogens, including dermatophytes that cause common tinea.”
“We found that both CBD and CBDV acted in a fungicidal manner and prevented biofilm formation in C. neoformans. Phytocannabinoid treatment impeded factors important for virulence and antifungal resistance, including reduced capsule size and disruption of mature biofilms. Proteomics analysis revealed that the antifungal activity of CBD and CBDV was linked to destabilisation of the membrane, alterations in ergosterol biosynthesis, disruption of metabolic pathways, as well as selective involvement of mitochondrial-associated proteins.” they also wrote.
“We next tested the ability of CBD to topically clear a C. neoformans fungal infection in vivo using the Galleria mellonella burn wound model, and we observed greatly improved survival in the CBD treated larvae. This study illustrates the potential of phytocannabinoids as antifungal treatments and opens up new routes towards development of novel antifungal drugs.” the study’s authors concluded.
A recent market analysis by Emergen Research determined that “the Cannabidiol (CBD) Consumer Health Market is expected to grow from USD 20.52 billion in 2024 to an estimated USD 81.76 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.60%.”