Cannabis-Derived Compounds Display Efficacy Against Fungal Infections

Recent research from Macquarie University has revealed that compounds derived from cannabis, specifically cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV), exhibit significant effectiveness against various fungal pathogens in laboratory settings.

The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, highlights the ability of these bioactive compounds to eliminate the harmful fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, which is recognized as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. Additionally, these cannabinoids were found to effectively kill dermatophytes, which are responsible for common skin infections, and do so at a rate that surpasses existing antifungal treatments.

Fungal infections pose a considerable health risk, affecting over one billion individuals globally each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These infections can range from mild ailments like athlete's foot and yeast infections to severe conditions such as pneumocystis pneumonia, underscoring the urgent need for effective therapies.

Dr. Hue Dinh, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Natural Science at Macquarie University, alongside Associate Professor Amy Cain and their team, embarked on this project to address the rising threat of fungal infections. Previously engaged in antimicrobial resistance research, Dr. Dinh recognized that the lengthy process of developing new drugs could be circumvented by utilizing pharmacological compounds that have already received approval for other medical uses, thus ensuring their safety and established mechanisms of action.

One of the initial challenges faced by the research team was selecting which cannabinoids to investigate and determining the appropriate fungal targets. With numerous natural compounds available from the cannabis plant, the researchers aimed to identify the most effective ones.

Professor Mark Connor, a pharmacologist with expertise in cannabinoid research, joined the team to assist in targeting Cryptococcus neoformans, particularly due to its potential to cause life-threatening infections such as meningitis when it reaches the central nervous system.

Testing revealed that both CBD and CBDV were capable of rapidly killing Cryptococcus neoformans, outperforming current antifungal therapies. The cannabinoids were also effective against 33 additional fungal pathogens sourced from clinical, veterinary, and environmental contexts, including those responsible for skin conditions like athlete's foot.

In the final phase of the study, the researchers demonstrated that cannabinoids could effectively treat fungal infections in live organisms, specifically using Galleria mellonella (wax moth) larvae at the Macquarie Galleria Research Facility. This marks a significant step toward potential treatments for patients, particularly for topical applications.

Dr. Dinh expressed optimism regarding the development of effective topical treatments, noting that pathogens are less likely to develop resistance to cannabinoids compared to conventional antimicrobials. However, she acknowledged the challenges associated with intravenous administration of cannabinoids for systemic infections, as they are not easily formulated for injection.

Nonetheless, there is hope for topical treatments for common skin infections. If the efficacy of these cannabinoids is confirmed in treating prevalent conditions, over-the-counter products containing CBD oil could potentially be utilized as a simple, effective treatment.

Dr. Dinh and Associate Professor Cain are currently collaborating with commercial partners to bring such products to market.