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Cannabinoids Block Cellular Access to SARS-CoV-2 & Emerging Variants
According to a laboratory study published by the Journal of Nature Products, cannabis compounds stopped the virus that causes Covid-19’s penetration of healthy human cells.
Researchers from Oregon State University identified two compounds found in hemp, called CBGA and CBDA, as potential anti-coronavirus agents. They were found to be able to bind to the virus proteins and block the pathogen’s ability to infect people.
Researchers tested the compounds against the alpha and beta versions of the virus in a laboratory. The researchers didn’t give the supplements to anyone or compare infection rates between those who used the compounds and those who did not.
Hemp can be used as a source of fiber, food, and animal feed. Hemp extracts are often added to cosmetics and body lotions, dietary supplements, and food.
Richard van Breemen, an Oregon State researcher at the Global Hemp Innovation Center, said that these compounds can be taken orally. He stated in a statement that the compounds have the potential to treat and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Richard B van Breemen1, Ruth N Muchiri1, Timothy A Bates2, Jules B Weinstein2, Hans C Leier2, Scotland Farley2, Fikadu G Tafesse
- PMID: 35007072
- DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00946
Abstract
Small-molecule therapeutic agents can be used to prevent or treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and variants of it, which causes COVID-19. For the discovery of botanical ligands for the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2, affinity selection-mass spectrometry was used. Cannabinoid acid from hemp ( Cannabis Sativa ) was found to be both allosteric and orthosteric ligands that have a micromolar affinity for spike protein. Cannabigerol and cannabidiolic acids prevented the infecting of epithelial cells with a pseudovirus that emitted the SARS-2 spike protein. They also prevented the entry of live SARS-2 into cells. Cannabigerol and cannabidiolic acids were equally effective against both the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant B.1.351 and alpha variant B.1.1.7. These cannabinoids are easily ingested and have a long history for safe human use.
