According to the newest cannabis news published by Forbes that Richard van Breemen, a researcher with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy and Linus Pauling Institute, will lead the presentation online on December 6 to present information on using natural products including hemp to treat Covid-19. It’s nearly a year after publishing a study that found that compounds in cannabis could prevent infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human cells. The further study findings will be shared at the university’s free Science Pub event next week by Van Breeman.

Cannabis And Covid-19

Earlier this year, with the increasing awareness of CBD in world wide, as the Covid-19 pandemic continued, a news that identified compounds in hemp varietals of cannabis showed the ability to prevent SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from entering human cells exploded. The findings were published in the Journal of Natural Products in January, making headlines in hotspots around the world.

The researchers found that two cannabinoid acids commonly found in hemp varietals of cannabis, cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, and cannabidiolic acid, also known as CBDA, can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. By binding to the spike protein, the compounds can prevent the virus from entering cells and causing infection, potentially offering new avenues to prevent and treat the disease.

Coronavirus COVID-19

“Any part of the infection and replication cycle is a potential target for antiviral intervention, and the connection of the spike protein’s receptor binding domain to the human cell surface receptor ACE2 is a critical step in that cycle,” van Breeman said. “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.”

The presentation will be held at the university’s free Science Pub event next week, which can be attended in person at the Old World Deli in Corvallis or viewed online. The presentation, titled “Natural products and hemp: Under-appreciated sources for COVID-19 therapeutic agents,” is sponsored by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Old World Deli, Oregon State Research Office and Oregon State University.

Final Thought

Every such moment is exciting when such information come out. Because this mean we will have more scientific data to support the usage of CBD. If you are also interested in this presentation, be noted that registration is required to attend Science Pub in person or to view the event online.