Review Cannabis: A new strategy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global health concern. Many antibiotics are no longer effective at treating MRSA, which causes an increase in adverse patient outcomes. This has led to calls for new antibiotics and treatment strategies to combat the spread of MRSA and multidrug resistance (MDR). The antimicrobial secondary metabolites found in plants are a promising source for new antibiotics and treatment strategies. Cannabis sativa L. is especially promising, as it produces dozens of antimicrobial secondary metabolites that are active against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and MRSA strains. In addition to its antimicrobial properties against S. aureus and MRSA, cannabis has many other desirable properties for potential antibiotics. Cannabis secondary metabolites are active against a wide range of microorganisms, are generally safe, target multiple bacterial processes and structures, have antimicrobial synergies, have a low potential for resistance development, can be produced inexpensively and combined with existing antibiotics to further reduce costs, and contain secondary metabolites capable of penetrating a variety of in vivo environments. These characteristics make cannabis a potential resource against MRSA and MDR bacteria.