Research shows compounds in hemp block COVID-19 virus from entering human cells, study finds

CORVALLIS, Ore. (Gray News) – Researchers at Oregon State University have identified compounds in hemp that show the ability to block the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering human cells.

According to University, a pair of cannabinoid acids binds to the COVID-19 spike protein, which prevents the virus from infecting people.

The OSU said this “spike protein is the same drug target used in COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapy.”

A disease or virus follows a specific process to infect a person. A drug target is described as any molecule critical for this process that can be interrupted to stop infection or progression.

“These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts,” said Richard van Breemen, a researcher at the Global Hemp Innovation Center at Oregon State. “These are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans.”

Van Breemen explained that research has shown that the hemp compounds are also effective against the alpha and beta variants of COVID-19.

“Our data shows that CBDA and CBGA are effective against the two variants we looked at, and we hope this trend will spread to other existing and future variants,” said van Breemen.

OSU invented a chemical screening technique for the to study led by van Breeman.

The research team looked at a range of plants used as dietary supplements, including red clover, wild yam, hops and three species of licorice, the university reported.

“Cellular entry inhibitors, like the acids in hemp, could be used to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 and also to shorten infections by preventing viral particles from infecting human cells,” he said. said van Breemen, adding compounds that block the virus-receptor interaction has been helpful for patients with other viral infections.

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