Study Finds Cannabinoids Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Variants Cellular Entry
According to a new study released by experts linked with Oregon State University, compounds in cannabis may prevent infection from the virus that causes Covid-19 by inhibiting its entrance into cells. The Journal of Natural Products released an article titled "Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Variants" on Monday.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuApr 01, 202210 Shares841 Views Cannabinoids Prevent COVID- The term cannabinoid refers to any chemical molecule, regardless of structure or origin, that binds to cannabinoid receptors in the body and brain and has effects comparable to those of the Cannabis Sativa plant. The phytocannabinoid (THC) (Delta9-THC or Delta8-THC), the principal psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, is the most well-known cannabinoid. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another critical component of the plant. Cannabinoids' number is in the hundreds. Each has a unique influence on the body. According to a new study released by experts linked with Oregon State University, compounds in cannabis may prevent infection from the virus that causes Covid-19 by inhibiting its entrance into cells. Journal of Natural Products released an article titled "Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Variants" on Monday.
Small-molecule therapeutic medicines are needed to treat or prevent infections caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, which produce COVID-19. These drugs should be used in addition to immunizations. According to research published in the Journal of Nature Products, "orally accessible and with a long historyof safe human usage, these cannabinoids, individually or in hemp extracts, have the potential to prevent and cure the infection by SARS-CoV-2." The study was led by Richard van Breemen, a scientist from Oregon State University's Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy, and Linus Pauling Institute. In a lab environment, the research reveals that two chemicals present in hemp, cannabigerol acid (CBGA) and cannabidiol acid (CBDA), inhibit coronavirus from accessing cells that generally line internal organs and skin. In the research, these acids were able to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which acids acids acids were able to attach to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the study, which is the same target employed in COVID-19 vaccines and antibody treatment. Once bound, this step may prevent a vital phase in the pathogen's process of infecting the cell.
Van Breemen went on to say that CBDA and CBGAwere equally effective against variants of SARS-CoV-2, including variant B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom, and variant B.1.351, which was first identified in South Africa, and that "our research revealed the hemp compounds were equally efficient against variants of SARS-CoV-2, which include variant B.1.351, which was being detected in South Africa." The spike protein is the same portion of the virus that Covid-19 vaccinations and antibody treatments target. SARS-CoV-2 includes three additional structural proteins, 16 nonstructural proteins, and many compounds van Breemen refers to as "accessory" proteins, all possible targets for medications designed to prevent Covid-19. "Any element of the infection and replication cycle is a potential target for antiviral intervention," van Breeman said. "The attachment of the spike protein's receptor-binding domain to the human cell surface receptor ACE2 is a vital stage in that cycle." "This suggests that cell entrance inhibitors, such as hemp acids, might be employed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and shorten illnesses by stopping virus particles from entering human cells." They attach to the spike proteins, preventing them from interacting with the ACE2 enzyme, prevalent on endothelial cells' outer membrane in the lungs and other organs."
Even though further research is required, van Breemen said that the cannabinoids might be converted into medications to prevent or cure Covid-19. "These chemicals are safe to consume orally and have a long history of usage in humans," van Breemen said. "They have the potential to both prevent and cure SARS-CoV-2 infection." The hemp plant produces CBDA and CBGA as precursors to CBD and CBG, which are well-known to many customers. However, they vary from acids from acids how and are not found in hemp products." Van Breeman also said that the study revealed cannabis was effective against new forms of the virus, which he described as "one of the key worries" for healthauthorities and physicians during the epidemic. "These mutations are well recognized for evading antibodies against early lineage SARS-CoV-2, which is troubling. Current immunization regimens depend on the initial lineage spike protein as an antigen," Van Breemen stated. "Our findings demonstrate that CBDA and CBGA are effective against the two variations we studied, and we expect that trend to continue with other current and future variants." Van Breemen stated. "Resistance variations might still emerge despite the widespread usage of marijuana," the researcher continued, "but the combination of vaccination and CBDA/CBGA therapyshould create a considerably more difficult environment for SARS-CoV-2."