Graduation Year

2023

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biochemistry

Second Department

Chemistry

Reader 1

Pete Chandrangsu

Reader 2

Nancy Williams

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2023 Nancy Puente

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the misuse of antibiotics poses a global health issue and risks towards current drugs. Placing selective pressure on bacteria have forced bacteria into expressing and propagating genes conferring high levels of resistance against antibiotics. The growing rate of antibacterial resistance across multiple drugs creates the urge to look into new methodologies and develop antimicrobial therapies that involve metal or metal-containing particles. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been found to possess antibacterial activity by disrupting the cell membrane of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Expanding upon such research, this study investigated if CBD and copper metal ions interact synergistically for antimicrobial activity against bacteria by altering the cell membrane, ultimately leading to bacterial death. In combination with copper metal ions, CBD antimicrobial properties can be further enhanced. An assay was used to uncover the copper metal-CBD antibacterial interactions and mechanisms. CBD and copper ions demonstrated synergistic potential and cooperate as an antimicrobial complex. Job’s Method and Plot determined the 1:4 stoichiometric binding of copper-CBD complex, reflecting the potential for combination drug therapy. Antimicrobial compounds such as cannabinoids (CBD) and copper metal ions, both independently and when used in combination, presents an emerging methodology to address the imminent antimicrobial resistance crisis.

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