Van Breemen and his team discovered that cannabigerolic acid – known as CBGA– and cannabidiolic acid –CBDA– can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
The spike protein is a critical molecule for the disease process.
As explained by the scientist, who is also a member of the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Linus Pauling Institute, the research showed that Cannabis compounds were equally effective against variants B.1.1.7 , the first sample of which appeared in South Africa.
Van Breemen, Ruth Muchiri, from the Linus Pauling College of Pharmacy and Institute, and five scientists from Oregon Health & Hundred University, identified the two cannabinoid acids through a mass spectrometry-based detection technique invented in the laboratory.
The team evaluated botanicals used as dietary supplements, including red clover, wild yam, hops, and three species of licorice.
“These compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans,” said the research leader, adding: “They have the potential to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Some researchers call it the “grandfather” of cannabinoids because it is in the upper phase of the cascade reaction that produces the three main lines of cannabinoids .
As described by scientist Jacqueline Havelka, it can help diabetic patients to combat some of the complications and comorbidities of the disease, such as cardiovascular; treatments of colon cancer; Y lipid metabolic disorders.
CBDA, meanwhile, is the crude or predecessor form of CBD, the molecule that is applied, for example, for the treatment of pain or refractory epilepsy.
In fact, Chinese herbaria dating back thousands of years describes, among the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant, its powerful effect in this regard.
“Our previous research reported the discovery of another compound, one from licorice, that also binds to the spike protein,” he commented.