Study Finds Hemp Compounds Prevent Coronavirus Infection – NBC New York

Some of the compounds in cannabis can prevent the coronavirus from entering healthy human cells, according to a study published in the Nature’s Products Journal.

The research was conducted at Oregon State University and led by Richard van Breemen, a scientist at Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy, and Linus Pauling Institute.

The study suggests that two compounds commonly found in hemp – cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid – prevent the coronavirus from entering cells that typically line internal organs and skin in a lab.

In the study, these acids were able to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein – the same target used in COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapy. Once linked, this step could block a critical step in the pathogenic process used to infect the cell.

“This means that inhibitors of entry into cells, 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 them. human cells. They bind to spike proteins so these proteins cannot bind to the ACE2 enzyme, which is abundant on the outer membrane of endothelial cells in the lungs and other organs, ”van Breemen said in a statement.

Both compounds in cannabis have been shown to be equally effective against the alpha and beta variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Van Breemen hopes this trend seen in his findings will apply to other existing and future COVID-19 variants.

Hemp, which is part of the Cannabis sativa species, is one of the species of cannabis cultivated for industrial and medicinal purposes, including in dietary supplements, feed, and cosmetics.

Van Breemen states that these compounds can be taken orally. For him, they have the potential to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.

“CBDA and CBGA are produced by the hemp plant as precursors to CBD and CBG, which are familiar to many consumers. However, they are different from acids and are not contained in hemp products, ”noted van Breeman.