CBD Against Covid-19 and Viral Hepatitis
Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promising potential in inhibiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and treating viral hepatitis. This preprint discusses the findings supporting CBD’s antiviral properties.
Sources:
CBD Overview:
- CBD belongs to the cannabinoid class of natural products.
- Derived from hemp and cannabis plants, it contains less than 0.3% psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
- An oral solution of CBD is a U.S. FDA approved drug.
CBD and SARS-CoV-2:
- High-purity CBD inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in human lung epithelial cells.
- Pretreatment of lung cells with CBD before infection significantly inhibits viral replication.
- Tested on various strains, CBD consistently inhibits their ability to infect cells.
CBD Mechanisms:
- CBD acts at an early step after viral entry into cells, targeting host cell processes.
- Inhibits viral RNA expression and reverses viral-induced changes in host gene expression.
- Eradicates viral RNA expression in host cells, preventing the production of new viral particles.
- Induces interferon expression, suppressing viral infection and promoting degradation of viral RNA.
Animal Studies:
- CBD treatment significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in mice.
- Mice showed no signs of clinical disease, establishing CBD’s preclinical efficacy during early infection stages.
Clinical Observations:
- CBD is negatively associated with indications of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patient medical records.
- Analysis of 1,212 patients revealed a lower infection rate in those using CBD compared to non-users.
- Odds ratios suggest a potential protective effect against SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusion:
- CBD inhibits HCV replication by 86.4%, indicating potential for treating viral hepatitis.
- Effective against various RNA viral infections, including common cold, influenza, SARS/MERS, Dengue, Hep C and E, Ebola, Rabies, Polio, Mumps, and Measles.
These findings highlight the exciting potential of CBD in combating viral infections, but further research is needed for a comprehensive understanding of its therapeutic applications.
