Potential of Cannabis Compounds in Fighting Fungal Infections Discovered in Laboratory Studies

Recent research from Macquarie University has revealed promising results regarding the antifungal properties of certain cannabis-derived compounds. In laboratory experiments, two compounds—cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV)—demonstrated significant ability to eliminate harmful fungi, including Cryptococcus neoformans, a pathogen listed by the World Health Organization as a priority due to its severity. These compounds were also effective against dermatophytes, fungi responsible for common skin infections like athlete’s foot, often outperforming current antifungal treatments in speed and efficacy.

The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, highlights the potential for developing new treatments for fungal infections that afflict over a billion people annually worldwide. Fungal pathogens can cause a range of health issues—from superficial skin conditions to severe, systemic infections such as pneumocystis pneumonia and cryptococcal meningitis, which can be fatal.

Led by Dr. Hue Dinh, a postdoctoral fellow at Macquarie University, the team aimed to find practical solutions by examining compounds already approved for human use, speeding up the process of potential treatment development. They focused on cannabinoids because of their known pharmacological properties and the diversity of compounds obtainable from the cannabis plant.

A key challenge in the project was identifying the specific cannabinoids that could target fungal pathogens effectively. The research found that CBD and CBDV could rapidly kill Cryptococcus neoformans in laboratory settings, working faster than existing antifungal drugs. The compounds also showed effectiveness against 33 other fungal species, including those causing skin infections.

Further tests using a model involving wax moth larvae demonstrated that cannabinoids could treat fungal infections in living organisms, bringing this approach closer to clinical application. These findings suggest a promising avenue for topical antifungal treatments, potentially enabling patients to apply cannabinoid-based oils directly to affected skin areas. Because pathogens are less likely to develop resistance to cannabinoids compared to conventional medications, such treatments could provide a sustainable solution.

However, delivering cannabinoids systemically (e.g., via injection) remains a challenge due to formulation difficulties. Nonetheless, researchers are optimistic about the potential for over-the-counter products that contain CBD or CBDV for treating common fungal skin infections, with ongoing collaborations to develop such formulations for commercial use.

This discovery marks an important step in developing alternative antifungal therapies that harness the natural properties of cannabis compounds, offering hope for more effective and resistance-proof treatments worldwide.