Clinical trials examining cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential treatment for gum disease are underway set to start in Australia. The groundbreaking research is being carried out by the medical cannabis company Impression Healthcare with products from the US cannabis manufacturer AXIM Biotechnologies.
Study participants use CBD-infused mouthwash and toothpaste. Researchers want to know if these products affect gingivitis and periodontal disease, common gum disease. The randomized controlled study included 40 affected participants. Everyone will use the products three times a day for 30 days so the researchers can monitor gum health.
“The formal registration of the gingivitis and periodontal study marks a significant advance in IHL’s medical cannabis activities and is the culmination of months of work by our team and research partners,” said Joel Latham, CEO of Impression, in a statement.
“We are pleased to have brought together highly qualified researchers for the world’s first study of the use of CBD in the treatment of gingivitis and gum disease, which are major problems that represent an important market.”
Medical interest in CBD has increased dramatically in recent years. Some studies show that CBD can have antibacterial propertiesthat might come into play in the gum disease study. Researchers from the University of Queensland’s Center for Superbug Solutions in Australia have demonstrated the ability of CBD to destroy many dangerous bacteria. [1]
“Cannabidiol showed little tendency to induce resistance in bacteria … We believe so [CBD] kills bacteria by rupturing their outer cell membranes. ” explained Mark Blaskovich, PhD, senior research fellow at the center. CBD’s ability to kill bacteria even includes antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA (methicillin-resistant) Staphylococcus aureus).
It’s not exactly clear how the antibacterial properties of CBD work. Research is still young and unlike gum disease, many CBD studies have not left the animal testing phase behind. However, numerous clinical studies are in progress.
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reference
- Blaskovich MAT et al.The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol. Commun Biol. 2021; 4 (7). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01530-y