Effect of cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis plant derivative, against Candida albicans growth and biofilm formation

Fungal resistance to available antifungal molecules has emerged as a significant and continued threat. Several plants, including cannabis, have promising antimicrobial activities, potentially including those against C andida albicans. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activities of cannabidiol (CBD) against C. albicans. Yeast cells were treated once or twice with different concentrations (from 0 to 20 µg/mL) of CBD, showing a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of the growth of C. albicans, with cell concentrations ranging from 5.1 × 10⁶ cells/mL in the control to 1.8 × 10⁶ cells/mL after one exposure to 20 µg/mL CBD. This growth reduction was greater after two exposures to CBD. After two exposures to 20 µg/mL CBD, the cell concentration was only 1.1 × 10⁶ cells/mL. Such a growth decrease in C. albicans was confirmed by a reduced number of colony forming units and a lower MTT value compared to the control. The growth inhibition was supported by a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the yeast-to-hyphae transition, ranging from 20 ± 0.2% in the control to 2 ± 0.5% after exposure to 20 µg/mL CBD. Biofilm formation was also significantly reduced following CBD exposure. CBD at 10 and 20 µg/mL promoted the death of C. albicans through an apoptosis/necrotic pathway. Altogether, our results suggest the possible use of CBD, a cannabis derivative, to control C. albicans infection, including oral candidiasis.