Study: Hemp Seed Extracts May Enhance Effectiveness of Antibiotics and Antifungal Medications

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

January 15, 2026

Research published in Plants suggests that hemp seed extracts can enhance the effectiveness of certain antibiotics and antifungal medications, with results varying by cultivar and extraction technique. Scientists from Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy tested three Romanian hemp varieties—Lovrin 110, Silvana, and LV 585—using hydroalcoholic and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. Ultrasound extraction produced higher phenolic content, including epicatechin, quercetin, rosmarinic acid, resveratrol, and ferulic acid, which contribute to antimicrobial properties. In vitro tests showed these enriched extracts strongly inhibited bacteria like Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and yeasts such as Candida albicans. When combined with amoxicillin and miconazole, select extracts exhibited synergistic effects, lowering required drug doses. Statistical analysis confirmed that specific phenolic profiles, not just total content, drove activity against Gram-positive bacteria, E. coli, and Candida. Hemp seed extracts hold promise as adjuncts in antimicrobial therapies, though additional research on safety, dosing, and clinical relevance is essential.