• UGI USER
  • Jan 23, 2024
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CANNABIS COMPOUND (THCBD) WITH ANTIBIOTIC EFFECTS

Why in the News?

  • Researchers at CSIR-IIIM Jammu identify TetraHydroCannaBiDiol (THCBD), a compound from cannabis, with potent antibiotic effects.
  • THCBD shows efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
  • Staphylococcus aureus, especially MRSA strain, challenges existing antibiotics, necessitating alternative solutions.
Source: StoryMD

About Antibiotic Resistance (AMR):

  • Definition: AMR refers to microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, becoming resistant to the effects of medicines.
  • Risk Factors: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute to AMR.
  • Consequences: Reduced effectiveness of standard treatments, increased disease spread, and higher mortality rates.
  • Global Concern : AMR poses a global health threat as microbes become resistant to medicines, leading to increased disease spread and deaths.

What are Antibiotics ?

Antibiotics are medications that inhibit or kill bacteria, alleviating bacterial infections. They play a crucial role in treating various diseases and preventing the spread of harmful bacteria.

About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

CSIR Overview:

·   Largest R&D organization in India.

·   Established in September 1942, headquartered in New Delhi.

·   Funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

·   Operates autonomously under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

Organizational Structure:

·   President: Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio).

·   Vice President: Union Minister of Science and Technology (Ex-officio).

·   Governing Body: Headed by the Director-General.

·   Other members serve three-year terms.