Cannabis vs. Listeria: A Microscopic Battle

Can Cannabis Save Us From Superbugs? The Unexpected Power of Hemp Oil

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals how cannabis essential oil could combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Listeria, offering a natural solution to food safety and public health."

In a world increasingly threatened by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, scientists are exploring unconventional solutions. Plant-based antimicrobials are gaining traction as potential allies in this fight, offering new ways to combat pathogens without relying solely on traditional antibiotics. One such area of interest is the potential of cannabis sativa L., specifically its essential oil, to combat dangerous bacteria.

Listeria monocytogenes, the culprit behind listeriosis, is a foodborne pathogen known for its resilience. It thrives in biofilms and resists sanitizers, causing significant problems for the food industry. What makes Listeria particularly dangerous is its ability to survive inside human cells, making it difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics.

Now, a groundbreaking study has investigated the antibacterial and anti-virulence properties of cannabis sativa L. essential oil against Listeria. The findings suggest that this natural oil could offer a novel approach to controlling Listeria, potentially reducing its virulence and preventing severe infections.

How Does Cannabis Essential Oil Fight Listeria?

Cannabis vs. Listeria: A Microscopic Battle

The research focused on steam-distilled essential oil from the cannabis sativa L. plant and its effects on Listeria monocytogenes. Researchers tested the oil's ability to inhibit bacterial growth and virulence factors—characteristics that make the bacteria harmful. The study revealed several key actions of the essential oil:

One of the most striking findings was the essential oil's impact on Listeria's motility, its ability to move and spread. Exposure to even small amounts of the oil rendered the Listeria bacteria non-motile, effectively crippling their ability to colonize and infect.

Disrupting Flagella: Microscopic analysis showed that the essential oil caused Listeria cells to clump together, trapping their flagella—the whip-like appendages used for movement—within these clusters.
Gene Regulation: Further investigation revealed that the oil down-regulated genes responsible for flagellar motility and the regulatory gene prfA, which controls virulence traits. This means the oil interferes with Listeria's ability to produce the tools it needs to be harmful.
Biofilm and Invasion Reduction: The essential oil significantly reduced Listeria's ability to form biofilms and invade Caco-2 cells, a model for human intestinal cells. This suggests the oil can prevent Listeria from adhering to surfaces and entering the body.

To confirm these findings, researchers conducted in vivo tests using Galleria mellonella larvae, a model organism for studying bacterial infections. Larvae infected with Listeria grown in the presence of the essential oil showed significantly higher survival rates compared to controls, indicating that the oil inhibited tissue invasion and reduced the severity of the infection.

A Natural Solution?

These findings offer hope for a future where natural remedies can help combat antibiotic resistance. Cannabis sativa L. essential oil shows promise as a potential tool for controlling Listeria in food processing and preventing severe infections. While further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and potential applications, this study opens the door to innovative strategies for food safety and public health.

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This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00293, Alternate LINK

Title: Attenuation Of Listeria Monocytogenes Virulence By Cannabis Sativa L. Essential Oil

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Authors: Emanuela Marini, Gloria Magi, Gianna Ferretti, Tiziana Bacchetti, Angelica Giuliani, Armanda Pugnaloni, Maria Rita Rippo, Bruna Facinelli

Published: 2018-08-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary focus of the research on cannabis sativa L. essential oil?

The research primarily focuses on the antibacterial and anti-virulence properties of cannabis sativa L. essential oil against Listeria monocytogenes. This involves investigating how the oil inhibits bacterial growth and virulence factors, which are characteristics that make the bacteria harmful. The study aims to determine if the essential oil can be a novel approach to controlling Listeria, potentially reducing its virulence and preventing severe infections.

How does cannabis sativa L. essential oil impact Listeria's ability to move and spread?

Cannabis sativa L. essential oil affects Listeria's motility, rendering the bacteria non-motile, which effectively cripples their ability to colonize and infect. This is achieved by disrupting flagella, the whip-like appendages used for movement. The essential oil causes Listeria cells to clump together, trapping their flagella, and also down-regulates genes responsible for flagellar motility.

Can you explain the impact of cannabis sativa L. essential oil on the gene regulation of Listeria?

The essential oil down-regulates genes responsible for flagellar motility and the regulatory gene prfA. This gene, prfA, controls virulence traits, meaning the oil interferes with Listeria's ability to produce the tools it needs to be harmful. This genetic interference is a key mechanism through which the essential oil reduces the bacteria's ability to cause infection and spread.

What are the implications of cannabis sativa L. essential oil in reducing biofilm formation and invasion of human intestinal cells by Listeria?

The essential oil significantly reduces Listeria's ability to form biofilms and invade Caco-2 cells, a model for human intestinal cells. This is important because biofilms help Listeria adhere to surfaces and survive in harsh environments, while the invasion of cells is how the infection spreads. By preventing biofilm formation and cell invasion, the essential oil helps to stop the infection from establishing itself and spreading within the body, suggesting a potential for use in food safety and human health.

What were the results of the in vivo tests using Galleria mellonella larvae, and what do they suggest about the effectiveness of cannabis sativa L. essential oil?

In vivo tests using Galleria mellonella larvae, a model organism for bacterial infections, showed that larvae infected with Listeria grown in the presence of cannabis sativa L. essential oil had significantly higher survival rates compared to control groups. This indicates that the essential oil inhibits tissue invasion and reduces the severity of the infection. These results provide evidence that the oil is effective in combating Listeria infections in a living organism and shows promise for applications in food processing and public health.