On January 11, 2022, the news front exploded with breaking news claiming that using cannabis could potentially cure COVID, or at least lessen the risk of contracting the ever-mutating virus.
“Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants” is a report that has been circulating since the claim. It was published January 10 by the Journal of Natural Products. The reports claim that “Cannabinoid acids from hemp (Cannabis sativa) were found to be allosteric as well as orthosteric ligands with micromolar affinity for the spike protein. In follow-up virus neutralization assays, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid prevented infection of human epithelial cells by a pseudovirus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and prevented entry of live SARS-CoV-2 into cells.”
Researchers believe that the compound found in cannabis might prevent getting infected by COVID by blocking the virus from entering the cells.
Richard van Breeman, a researcher with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center in the College of Pharmacy and Linus Pauling Institute, led the study. He noted in the report that, “orally bioavailable and with a long history of safe human use, these cannabinoids, isolated or in hemp extracts, have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2.”
Breeman also said that the needed ingredients are readily available, safe and legal.
“These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts,” van Breemen said in an interview. “They are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans."
The spike protein is like the virus targeted by COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapies. Breeman characterized the virus' spike protein, its three extra structural proteins and the 16 nonstructural proteins as "accessory" proteins. According to Breeman, all these are potential targets for COVID-19 preventative vacCines.
"Any part of the infection and replication cycle is a potential target for antiviral intervention, and the connection of the spike protein's tor ACE2 is a critical step in that cycle,"vanBreemansaid in his interview. "That means cell entry inhibitors, like the acids from hemp, could be used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and also to shorten infections by preventing virus particles from infecting human cells. They bind to the spike proteins so those proteins can't bind to the ACE2 enzyme, which is abundant on the outer membrane of endothelial cells in the lungs and other organs."
What about the new emerging variants?
In an interview, Breeman allayed worries about all the emerging mutated versions of the virus. He said that CBDA and CBGA were successful blocking those, as well.
"Our research showed the hemp compounds were equally effective against variants ofSARS-CoV-2, including variant B.l.l.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom, and variant B.l.351, first detected in South Africa," Breeman noted.
"These variants are well known for evading antibodies against early lineage SARSCoV-2, which is obviously concerning given that cur rent vaccination strategies rely on the early lineage spike protein as an antigen," Breemen continued. "Our data show CBDA and CBGA are effective against the two variants we looked at, and we hope that trend will extend to other existing and future variants."
More research is needed
Even though researchers believe they hit a milestone, Breeman said th at more studies are n eeded to be performed. However, he said the signs are pointing in the correct direction.
"These compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans," Breemen said in the interview. "They have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARSCoV-2. CBDA andCBGAare produced by the hemp plant as precursors to CBD and CBG, which are familiar to many consumers. However, they are different from the acids and are not contained in hemp products."
Some physicians are warning against the premature findings being published and are asking for people to be safe. Taking the cannabis orally is suggested over smoking the plant.
Currently, the COVID fighting properties are only found in CBDA, not CBD. The CBDA properties are only found in the oral concentrates.
Breeman stated in an interview that, "CBD, CBG and THC a re not active against the virus" if the product is smoked and he "would recommend in favor of an oral administration of these compounds instead of smoking them, inhaling them from vaping."