Description
Anca-Maria Stan, Anca Daniela Raiciu
The oil of the seeds, petroleum ether and methanol extracts of the whole plant of Cannabis sativa belonging to the family Cannabinaceae were screened for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram positive organisms (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), two Gram negative organisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two fungi namely Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans using the cup plate agar diffusion method. The oil of the seeds of Cannabis sativa exerted pronounced antibacterial activity (21 – 28 mm) against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, moderate activity (15 mm) against Escherichia coli and high activity (16 mm) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and inactive against the two fungi tested. The petroleum ether extract of the whole plant exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity (23 – 28 mm) against both Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus organisms, high activity (16 mm) against Escherichia coli and inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and both fungi. The methanol extract of the whole plant showed also pronounced antibacterial activity (29 mm) against Bacillus subtilis, low activity (12 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus and high activity (16 – 18 mm) against both Gram negative organisms, inactive against Aspergillus niger and low activity (13 mm) against Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of Cannabis sativa methanol extracts of the seeds and the whole plant against the standard organisms were determined using the agar plate dilution method. The standard organisms were tested against reference antibacterial and antifungal drugs and the results were compared with the activity of the extracts.1. IntroductionCannabis sativa is a member of the family Cannabinaceae. Cannabis sativa preparation is known by various names worldwide. It is called Marijuana in America; Bhang, Ganja and Charas in India; Kif in North Africa; Dogga in South Africa; Krori in Tunisia, Habak in Turkey; Hashish in Middle East; Djomba or Liamba in Central Africa and Brazil; Sodom, Tampl, Gum, Gauge and stuff in Kinshasa, Swala and Whiskt in Ghana; Grifa in Mexico and Macohna in some parts of South America .In Sudan, the most famous names of Cannabis preparations are Bango and Hashish. The name Bango in Sudan may be derived from the Indian name Bhang.The chemical definition encompasses a variety of distinct chemical classes. The classical cannabinoids are structurally related to Tetrahydrocannabinol commonly abbreviated as THC, the nonclassical cannabinoids, the aminoalkylindoles, the eicosanoids related to the endocannabinoids, 1,5-diarylpyrazoles, quinolines and arylsulphonamides and additional compounds that do not fall into these standard classes but bind to cannabinoid receptors. The term cannabinoids also refers to a unique group of secondary metabolites found in the cannabis plant, which are responsible for the plant’s peculiar pharmacological effects. Currently, there are three general types of cannabinoids; phytocannabinoids occur uniquely in the cannabis plant; endogenous cannabinoids are produced in the bodies of humans and animals and synthetic cannabinoids which are similar compounds produced in the laboratory.Cannabis was used in the twentieth century B.C in Egypt to treat sore eyes. In India, prior to the tenth century B.C., bhang was used as an anesthetic and antiphlegmatic. It is also used in both the Hindu and Moslem systems of drugs as spasmolytic, hypnotic, analgesic in mental conditions and to increase resistance to severe physical stress. Cannabis is administered to patients suffering from rabies, cholera, rheumatism, epilepsy and tetanus. Also observation on the analgesic, anticonvulsive and muscle relaxant. In northeastern India, some of the plants species including Cannabis sativa have been used for the treatment of specific human ailments such as allergies, burns, cuts and wounds, inflamemation, leprosy, leucoderma, scabies, smallpox and sexually transmitted diseases.The plant was used as an anesthetic in surgery in ancient China. Cannabis in Europe and America became the drug of choice in the prevention of migraine attacks. Cases of uterine hemorrhage after birth, asthma, postpartum psychoses, various neuralgias and epilepsy were also successfully treated with Cannabis .Kabelik et al. reported that Cannabis extract was used for irrigation in diseases of the anus, applied to sore toe nails and the seed pulp was a favorite dish. Edible, industrial and medicinal oils were obtained from the seeds.Cannabis has an ancient tradition of usage as a medicine in obstetrics and gynecology. Cannabis extracts may represent an efficacious and safe alternative for treatment of a wide range of conditions in women including dysmenorrheal, dysuria, hyperemesis gravidarum and menopausal symptoms .Cannabis is grown and processed for many uses. Many plant parts are used as medicine for humans and livestock, whole seeds and seed oil are eaten by human, seeds and leaves are fed to animals, seeds oil and stalks are burned for fuel. Whole plants, leaves and wood have environmental uses, bark, fiber and seeds are also of ritual importance. The antimicrobial activity from ethanol and petroleum ether extracts against multiple microorganisms was reported. Essential oils extracted from five fiber varieties of C. sativa had antimicrobial activity with the degree of antimicrobial activity varying between cultivars. C. sativa has been reported to have pharmacological and also antimicrobial effects. Cannabidiol has been identified as a component of hemp oil effective against Gram positive bacteria and yeast. The C. sativa chemotypes grown in northern latitudes are reported to have a higher ratio of cannabidiol to tetrahydrocannabinol resulting in stronger antimicrobial activity. Cannabis sativa grown in Pakistan has strong antimicrobial activity against all strains of bacteria and fungi. The objective of this work is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extracts of Cannabis sativa grown in Sudan against standard bacteria and the fungi.
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