Does CBDa and CBGa oil prevent COVID-19 infection? from entering human cells?
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, 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.
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.
According to a press release from OSU, Van Breemen and collaborators, including scientists at Oregon Health & Science University, found that a pair of cannabinoid acids bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking a critical step in the process the virus uses to infect people.
Hemp, part of the species Cannabis sativa, is one of the cannabis species grown for industrial and medicinal use, including in dietary supplements, animal feed, and cosmetics.
Van Breemen states these compounds can be taken orally. To him, they have the potential to prevent and treat infection by SARS-CoV-2.
“CBDA and CBGA are produced by the hemp plant as precursors to CBD and CBG, which are familiar to many consumers. However, they are different from the acids and are not contained in hemp products,” van Breeman noted.
The researchers did not study THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, due to campus rules prohibiting research using controlled substances. Van Breeman sought to temper public perception that recreational marijuana would have the same effect on preventing a COVID-19 infection as ingesting an oral supplement, noting in an interview with Vice News published Thursday that, when heated, the chemical profile and properties of the compound change.
“The active compounds we’ve discovered in hemp are cannabidiolic acid, CBD-A, CBG-A, and THC-A,” Van Breeman explained to the outlet. “‘A’ stands for an acid group, a carboxylic acid — this group can be removed upon treatment. So if these hemp products containing these compounds are smoked or vaped, the heat exposure could cause the chemical decomposition or conversion of CBD-A to CBD, CBG-A to CBG, and THC-A to THC. So, we know that CBD, CBG and THC are not active against the virus.”
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA)
CBGA, known as cannabigerolic acid, is considered the “mother cannabinoid,” because without it, there is no CBD, CBDA or THC.
CBGA) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is the precursor for THC, CBD, and several other common cannabinoids. Enzymes known as synthases are responsible for converting the CBGA cannabinoid into molecules such as THCA, the raw, unactivated molecule that converts to THC when heat is applied.
Studies show that cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) contains antitumor properties.
Enzymes within trichomes convert cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) into CBDA.
CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is one of many compounds produced by cannabis and hemp. Abundant in the live plants of CBD varieties, it converts to the better known cannabinoid CBD, over time and when exposed to heat.
What does CBDA help with?
Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a little-known cannabinoid with major therapeutic potential. In preliminary studies, CBDA has shown to treat inflammation, anxiety, seizures, and even certain types of cancer. CBDA is now seen as the next frontier in cannabinoid-based therapy.
While the research on the possible benefits of CBDA is still in its infancy, researchers are hopeful that CBDA could reduce the need for medications that can cause long-term side effects while improving people’s overall mental and physical well-being
CBDA has anti-inflammatory characteristics, and may be able to relieve inflammation due to its characteristics as a selective Cox-2 inhibitor. Cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzymes 1 and 2 have different responsibilities.
- Cox-1 is responsible for maintaining the stomach and intestinal lining.
- Cox-2 causes inflammation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin work by inhibiting the effects of these enzymes. Depending on these drugs for the long-term, can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
For this reason, researchers have been focused on creating selective Cox-2 inhibitors that avoid inhibiting Cox-1 enzymes without the risk for major damage to the stomach and intestinal lining. CBDA works in the same way as NSAIDS but without the damaging effects to the gut.
Guelph University researchers in Ontario looked at the effects of CBD compared to CBDA on different types of vomiting and nausea. Researchers found that CBDA was a potent medicine against nausea and vomiting caused by toxin- and motion-induced vomiting and nausea.
In particular, the research found that CBDA was incredibly effective at reducing anticipatory nausea. This occurs when a person feels nauseous right before chemotherapy treatment. Since this form of nausea has no known treatments, CBDA is an incredibly promising route.
In a separate study, the research team tested the effects of a CBDA and ondansetron, an anti-nausea drug. The team found that even a very low dose of CBDA improves the drug’s antiemetic effect. A CBDA dose 1000 times less than CBD has the same effect.
A preclinical study focusing on the down regulation Cox-2 enzymes found that CBDA could help suppress the spread of a specific type of breast cancer cells. In this type of cancer, the concentration of Cox-2 is higher than average.
During the study, CBDA was used for a period of 48 hours. While it helped inhibit Cox-2, it also reduced the effectiveness of the Id-1 protein, associated with inducing cancer cell growth and survival. In addition, CBDA seems to increase Sharp-1 expression, associated with suppressing breast cancer metastasis.
While more studies are needed into its effects on cancer, CBDA is showing great promise in its suppression of harmful cells in the body.
CBDA vs CBD Which is better?
While the cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids, THC and CBD tend to be the ones most commonly talked about. But there are many other cannabinoids that provide unique benefits for the body. One of the lesser-known ones is CBDA or cannabidiolic acid. And while it is similar to CBD, the two have their own unique properties. So what is CBDA, and how is it different from CBD? Here’s a guide on CBDA vs CBD, their effects, and how to use them.
How do you use CBDa?
High levels of CBDa can be found in raw materials taken from high-CBD cultivars. This includes hemp cultivars as well as CBD-dominant plants sold in medical and legal cannabis dispensaries.
There are several ways to incorporate CBDa into your diet, including:
- Tinctures
- Juices
- Smoothies
- Salads
- Salad dressings
- Cold sauces
- Garnishes
- Lightly steamed leaves
Raw cannabis flowers and leaves can be refrigerated like any other herb or leafy vegetable. For best results, keep them in a crisper and consider wrapping them in kitchen cloth.
Cannabis leaves can be chopped up and used like any other herb, such as parsley or oregano, to add flavor and increase the nutrient profile of a dish
Is CBDA Legal to Buy?
Cannabis legalization is ongoing on a state-by-state basis. This can make it confusing for everyday people to understand what is or is not legal in their state.
FDA WARNING
While this is certainly exciting news for hemp industry, remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent dozens of warning letters to manufacturers of CBD products for making medical claims about their products. If claims are made about a CBGA or CBDA product’s ability to block COVID-19, even in light of this OSU report, the FDA will consider that product to be an unapproved drug. This is because the FDA determines what a drug is based on its intended use. Marketing claims, even those that simply mention a medical study without tying it to a specific product, can result in a product being classified as a drug. In the context of CBD, claims about CBD treating, preventing, curing, or mitigating COVID-19 have been a high priority for the FDA. It is very likely that the FDA will take the same approach to claims made about CBGA and CBDA, even in light of this incredible report from OSU.
