It seems that an unexpected element could turn out helpful in the fight against the novel coronavirus that managed to change our lives probably for good.
Since back in 2020, our lives are governed by fear and uncertainty and while experts are working to bring normality back into our lives, people are wondering whether such a thing is even possible anymore.
According to the latest reports, there’s a new study published by researchers at Oregon State University found hemp compounds have the ability to prevent the virus that causes covid 19 from entering human cells.
Findings of the study led by Richard van Breemen who is a researcher with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy, and Linus Pauling Institute, were published this week in the Journal of Natural Products.
A new article revealed that hemp, known scientifically as cannabis sativa, is a source of fiber, food, and animal feed, and multiple hemp extracts and compounds are added to cosmetics, body lotions, dietary supplements, and food, van Breemen said.
Cannabis can prevent covid infection
According to a press release coming from OSU, Van Breemen and collabs, including scientists at Oregon Health & Science University, found that a pair of cannabinoid acids bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking a vital step in the process the virus uses to infect people.
The compounds are cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, and cannabidiolic acid, CBDA.
It’s also important to note the fact that the spike protein is the same drug target used in covid vaccines and antibody therapy.
“These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts,” van Breemen said.
He continued and explained this:
‘“They are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans. And our research showed the hemp compounds were 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, first detected in South Africa.”
Those two variants are also known as the alpha and beta variants, respectively.
