Scientists at CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) have recently discovered antibiotic properties of cannabis plant or marijuana, in its compound phytocannabinoids.
Key highlights of the research:
- Phytocannabinoids, specifically tetrahydrocannabidiol (THCBD), exhibited antibiotic properties against Staphylococcus aureus, a major contributor to AMR-related deaths.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial human pathogen that leads to the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains.
- THCBD demonstrated efficacy against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains, including the resistant MRSA strain.
- THCBD complemented or was indifferent to the effects of common antibiotics like mupirocin, penicillin G, and ciprofloxacin.
- Cannabinoids, extracted from the cannabis plant, were synthesized into THCBD through a reaction with hydrogen, using palladium as a catalyst.
Significance of the research:
- It will help address the global health concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- AMRis a growing global health threat where microbe become resistant to the medications used to treat them.
AMR Burden in India:
- India reported 2.97 lakh deaths in 2019 attributed to AMR, with an additional 10.42 lakh potentially associated with AMR.
- Overuse of antibiotics, misuse in animal husbandry, and poor waste disposal contribute to India’s AMR challenge.
About the Cannabis plant:
- TheCannabis plant is a flowering plant, a member of the Cannabaceae family, which has medicinal, and recreational properties.
- Originated in Central Asia, Cannabis is an annual herb with stout, aromatic, and erect features.
- Its psychoactive compound is found in dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds.
Varieties:
- Canelike variety: Grown for hemp fibre production due to its height and strength.
- Branchier variety(female plants): Valued for higherTHC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) content, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.
- THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with marijuana consumption.
Harmful effects:
- Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco.
- It raises heart rate, increasing the chances of heart attack.
- Long-term marijuana use can lead some people to develop Cannabinoid HyperemesisSyndrome.
- This causes users to experience regular cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention.
- It can lead to temporary hallucinations, paranoia and disorganized thinking.
Applications:
- It is cultivated for hemp fibre, and are utilized in diverse industries for textiles, paper, and more.
- It is used to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, to improve appetite in people with HIV or AIDS, and to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms.
Legislations:
- The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 hinders cannabis-related research in India.
The act prohibits the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, warehousing, use, consumption, import inter-State, export inter-State, import & export from India including transshipment of such substances except for medical or scientific purposes and in the manner and to the extent provided by the provisions of this Act
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