Marijuana May Be Useful Against Drug-Resistant Staph Infections

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Chemicals in Marijuana May Fight MRSA

Study Shows Cannabinoids May Be Useful Against Drug-Resistant Staph

Infections

By Caroline Wilbert

WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 4, 2008 --

Chemicals in marijuana may be useful in fighting MRSA, a kind of

staph bacterium that is resistant to certain antibiotics.

Researchers in Italy and the U.K. tested five major marijuana

chemicals called cannabinoids on different strains of MRSA

(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). All five showed germ-

killing activity against the MRSA strains in lab tests. Some

synthetic cannabinoids also showed germ-killing capability. The

scientists note the cannabinoids kill bacteria in a different way

than traditional antibiotics, meaning they might be able to bypass

bacterial resistance.

At least two of the cannabinoids don't have mood-altering effects, so

there could be a way to use these substances without creating the

high of marijuana.

MRSA, like other staph infections, can be spread through casual

physical contact or through contaminated objects. It is commonly

spread from the hands of someone who has it. This could be in a

health care setting, though there have also been high-profile cases

of community-acquired MRSA.

It is becoming more common for healthy people to get MRSA, which is

often spread between people who have close contact with one another,

such as members of a sports team. Symptoms often include skin

infections, such as boils. MRSA can become serious, particularly for

people who are weak or ill.

In the study, published in the Journal of Natural Products,

researchers call for further study of the antibacterial uses of

marijuana. There are " currently considerable challenges with the

treatment of infections caused by strains of clinically relevant

bacteria that show multi-drug resistance, " the researchers write. New

antibacterials are urgently needed, but only one new class of

antibacterial has been introduced in the last 30 years. " Plants are

still a substantially untapped source of antimicrobial agents, " the

researchers conclude.

View Article Sources

SOURCES:

Appendino, G. Journal of Natural Products, 2008; vol 71: pp 1427-1430.

News release, American Chemical Society.

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