What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-quorum-sensing, and cytotoxic effects of Cannabis extracts against fish pathogens.

March 5, 2026SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología0 citationsOpen Access

In vitro antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-quorum-sensing, and cytotoxic activities of leaf crude extracts of Cannabis “Gorilla glue 1”

SMShadrack Monyela PKPrudence Ngalula Kayoka OOOlasunkanmi S. Olawuwo

Key Points

To evaluate the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-quorum-sensing, and cytotoxic effects of Cannabis extracts against fish pathogens.
Acetone extracts of Cannabis were prepared and tested.
Antibacterial activity was measured using two-fold serial microdilution method.
Anti-biofilm activity was assessed with modified crystal violet staining.
Quorum-sensing inhibition was evaluated by measuring violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum.
Cytotoxicity was assessed with a colorimetric assay against Vero kidney cells.
The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found at 0.02 mg/mL against specific fish pathogens.
Significant anti-biofilm activity (>50% inhibition) was shown by select treatments.
Highest violacein production inhibition (98.61%) was achieved at 1.25 mg/mL.
Most extracts were non-cytotoxic with LC50 values >0.1 mg/mL, except one with high cytotoxicity (LC50 = 0.04 mg/mL).
Treatment showed the highest selectivity index (3.00) indicating a favorable safety profile.

Abstract

The resilience of biofilms makes it challenging to treat bacterial infections using conventional antibiotics. The study aimed to assess the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-quorum-sensing, and cytotoxic activities of acetone extracts of Cannabis “Gorilla Glue 1” against fish pathogens. Antibacterial activity was determined using the two-fold serial microdilution method, while anti-biofilm activity was assessed using a modified crystal violet staining in vitro assay. Anti-quorum-sensing activity was evaluated via inhibition of violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum (ATCC 12472). Cytotoxicity was assessed using a colorimetric assay against Vero kidney cells. Solvent extracts from treatment 0.36 g N; 0.12 g P; 0 g K showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (0.02 mg/mL) against Edwardsiella tarda (ATCC 15947) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC 13525) compared with other treatments. All tested solvent extracts demonstrated the ability to prevent or disrupt biofilm formation; however, treatment 0.36 g N; 0.06 g P; 0.12 g K showed consistent anti-biofilm activity (50% inhibition) against all tested pathogens. All solvent extract treatments exhibited comparable anti-quorum-sensing activity, while treatment 0.36 g N; 0.06 g P; 0.12 g K demonstrated the highest inhibition of violacein production (98.61% at 1.25 mg/mL). Most solvent extracts were non-cytotoxic to Vero cells, with LC 50 values 0.1 mg/mL, except treatment 0 g N; 0.24 g P; 0 g K, which showed high cytotoxicity (LC 50 = 0.04 mg/mL). Treatments 0.36 g N; 0.12 g P; 0 g K, 0 g N; 0.36 g P; 0.6 g K, and 0 g N; 0 g P; 0 g K exhibited moderate toxicity (LC 50 = 0.06 mg/mL). Treatment 0.36 g N; 0.12 g P; 0 g K displayed the highest selectivity index (3.00) against Vero cells, indicating the most favorable safety profile among the extracts investigated. Leaf extracts of Cannabis exhibited useful bioactivities coupled with low cytotoxicity, providing impetus for further studies on their potential development as protective feed additives against microbial infections in fish production.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper