Novel Study Finds Cannabinoid Compounds Block Viral Entry of SARS-CoV-2 through Spike Protein Binding

Ligands with high affinity to the receptor binding domain on the S1 (spike) protein have the potential to function as entry inhibitors and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells. The cannabinoids cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) were ligands shown to block infection of human epithelial cells by a pseudo-virus expressing the spike protein as well as block infection by the original live SARS-COV-2 virus including the “UK” B.1.1.7 and “South African” B.1.351 variants. These “cell entry inhibitors” which can prevent virus particles from entering the cell, could be used therapeutically to prevent infection of SARS-CoV-2 or shorten the duration and severity of COVID-19 syndrome.

“[B]inding of the viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the human cell surface receptor angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is a critical step during the infection of human cells. Therefore, cell entry inhibitors could be used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as to shorten the course of COVID-19 infections by preventing virus particles from infecting human cells.”

Tetrahydrocannabinnolic Acid (THCA-A), the acidic, non-carboxylated precursor of the most abundant and infamous cannabinoid, THC, was also identified along with CBGA and CBDA as a ligand with the highest affinity for spike proteins. Several other cannabinoid ligands were also identified and ranked by affinity to spike proteins. The uncarboxylated cannabinoids like THC, CBC, CBG, CBN, and CBD showed only weak or no binding capacity (See table 1 below).

So it appears that strains are not of importance when considering cannabis as a therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2, but rather method of preparation. Smoking, vaping, or cooking cannabis carboxylates it and turns those acidic precursors into the less potent cannabinoids (for treating or preventing SARS, not for getting high). This method of preparation is also used to treat certain types of cancers.

Juicing or eating raw cannabis are the best ways to obtain these volatile compounds; however, they can be extracted into tinctures as well. Note, they are non-psychoactive. If you're already taking HCQ, ivermectin, pine needle tea, colloidal silver, Vitamin C, D, and zinc and such things to treat or prevent COVID or spike proteins, consider adding raw cannabis to the regimen.

---

Source:van Breemen, R. B., Muchiri, R. N., Bates, T. A., Weinstein, J. B., Leier, H. C., Farley, S., & Tafesse, F. G. (2022). Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants. Journal of natural products, 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00946. Advanced online publication, January 10, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00946