Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40817249›Full record

ArticleBMC complementary medicine and therapies2025

Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) to overcome extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Atchariya Yosboonruang, Anong Kiddee, Achiraya Siriphap, Grissana Pook-In, Chittakun Suwancharoen, Acharaporn Duangjai, Ratsada Praphasawat, Nanthawan Reuk-Ngam, Siriwan Nawong, Anchalee Rawangkan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Efficacy of Cannabidiol in Reducing Virulence ofInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2026
    Article
  3. Molecular, biofilm and motility characterization ofFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Atchariya YosboonruangDivision of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Anong KiddeeDivision of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Achiraya SiriphapDivision of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Grissana Pook-InDivision of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Chittakun SuwancharoenDivision of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Acharaporn DuangjaiUnit of Excellence on Research and Application of Natural products for Health and Well-being, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Ratsada PraphasawatUnit of Excellence on Research and Application of Natural products for Health and Well-being, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Nanthawan Reuk-NgamLaboratory of Organic Synthesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand.
Siriwan NawongSynchrotron Research and Applications Division, Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
Anchalee RawangkanDivision of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand. ewmedsci@gmail.com.

Funding

University of Phayao and the Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund 5031/2567
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii poses a serious clinical challenge due to its resistance to nearly all available antibiotics, including carbapenems and colistin. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytochemical from Cannabis sativa L., has recently shown promising antimicrobial activity. This study evaluates the antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of CBD against XDR A. baumannii isolates and explores its mechanism of action and potential as an adjunct therapeutic agent. Twenty-six A. baumannii isolates collected from ICU medical devices were identified using MALDI-TOF/MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion and broth microdilution to determine MICs and MBCs for CBD and standard antibiotics. Synergistic effects were evaluated via checkerboard assays and FICI values. Biofilm inhibition and eradication were assessed using crystal violet and MTT assays. Time-kill studies, membrane integrity assays (DNA/protein leakage, NPN uptake, membrane depolarization), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to investigate bactericidal kinetics and membrane-disruptive mechanisms. CBD exhibited activity against antimicrobial resistance isolates (MIC: 3.9 to > 500 µg/mL). Remarkably, CBD synergized with gentamicin, meropenem, and colistin, reducing their effective concentrations by up to 1,000-fold. Combination therapy significantly inhibited and eradicated biofilms. Time-kill assays demonstrated rapid, concentration-dependent killing, with complete bacterial clearance at 4× MIC within 2 h. Mechanistic assays and SEM confirmed that CBD induces extensive membrane damage. These findings highlight CBD's potential as an effective adjunct to conventional antibiotics for treating XDR A. baumannii infections, offering a novel strategy to counteract antimicrobial resistance.

Indexed as

Acinetobacter baumanniiAnti-Bacterial AgentsCannabidiolDrug Resistance, Multiple, BacterialAcinetobacter InfectionsBiofilmsCannabisDrug SynergismHumansMicrobial Sensitivity TestsAnti-Bacterial AgentsCannabidiolAcinetobacter baumanniiAntimicrobial resistantCannabidiolExtensively drug resistantSynergistic

Identifiers

PMID40817249
PMCPMC12357442

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.