The antimicrobial activity of plant-derived cannabinoid suspensions from Cannabis sativa L. against the mixed oral microflora of humans and canine

Abstract

Cannabis sativa L. is a dioecious annual plant that is widely cultivated for its industrial, nutritional and medicinal uses. Historically used as a fibre plant and for therapeutic purposes, its modern importance lies in the production of biologically active compounds, particularly cannabinoids. Cannabis-derived compounds, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), have shown antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Preliminary studies suggest that cannabinoids may be more effective in reducing dental plaque than conventional oral care products. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory effects of “pure” plant CBD and a full-spectrum cannabis isolate on polymicrobial cultures derived from the oral surfaces of healthy humans and canine to investigate their potential to prevent periodontal disease in both human and veterinary medicine. The cannabis isolate showed a slightly stronger activity, which is probably due to the synergistic effect of several cannabinoids, terpenes and other bioactive compounds. Factors such as potentially better solubility, the presence of minor cannabinoids (e. g. cannabigerol, CBG) and the membrane disruption caused by terpenes could contribute to this stronger effect. These results suggest that full-spectrum cannabis extracts may offer greater potential for oral antimicrobial applications than “pure” CBD alone.