A chemical found in live cannabis plants could help protect human cells against coronavirus infections, research suggests.
A study by scientists at Oregon State University (OSU) and Oregon Health and Science University found that two acids present in hemp, a type of cannabis plant used widely in cloth, paper and as a drug, were able to jam the gears of the virus that causes Covid-19.
The researchers said the two compounds can bind onto the SARS-Cov-2 virus' spike protein, which it uses to invade and commandeer human cells and which gives the coronavirus family its name.
However, the compounds probably cannot be consumed via any of the traditional methods of taking cannabis as a drug, meaning they would have to be harvested separately to make a specific medicine.
“These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts,” said lead author Richard van Breemen of OSU's Global Hemp Innovation Center.
“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."
The study, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Natural Products on Monday, examined numerous plant extracts such as red clover, wild yam, hops and licorice for potential affinity with the Covid spike protein.
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Io Dodds
Thu., January 13, 2022, 6:43 a.m.
Photo Credit: A French politician visits a therapeutic cannabis laboratory in Angers, France, 8 January 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Source : yahoo! News
Link to original : Could cannabis help fight Covid? New study reveals two chemicals that may block infection
