“Since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, our understanding of the underlying disease mechanism and factors associated with the disease severity has dramatically increased. A recent study investigated the relationship between substance use disorders (SUD) and the risk of severe COVID-19 in the United States and concluded that the risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 is directly correlated with substance abuse, including opioid use disorder (OUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD). While we found this analysis fascinating, we believe this observation may be biased due to comorbidities (such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease) confounding the direct effect of SUD on severe COVID-19 illness. To answer this question, we sought to investigate the causal relationship between substance abuse and medication-taking history (as a proxy trait for comorbidities) with the risk of COVID-19 adverse outcomes.

Our Mendelian randomization analysis confirms the causal relationship between OUD and severe COVID-19 illness but suggests an inverse causal effect for cannabinoids.

Considering that COVID-19 mortality is largely attributed to disturbed immune regulation, the possible modulatory impact of cannabinoids in alleviating cytokine storms merits further investigation.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36583016/

“In conclusion, our MR analysis confirms the causal relationship between opioids and severe COVID-19 illness. However, our MR analysis questions the validity of the causal relationship between CUD and COVID-19 severe illness. A recent study showed that treatment with cannabis compounds significantly reduces cytokine secretion in lung epithelial cells and, therefore, may be useful in alleviating severe symptoms in COVID-19 patients. The fact that a great deal of COVID-19 mortality is attributed to immune dysregulation and cytokine storm, the possible modulatory impact of cannabinoids merits further investigation. Besides, it is shown that cannabidiol (CBD) blocks viral replication in lung epithelial cells through the up-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and interferon signaling pathways. Intriguingly, medical history of oral CBD use was associated with a reduced COVID-19 test-positivity rate.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.1070428/full

“Cannabis sativa is one of the first medicinal plants used by humans. Its medical use remains controversial because it is a psychotropic drug whose use has been banned. Recently, however, some countries have approved its use, including for recreational and medical purposes, and have allowed the scientific study of its compounds. Cannabis is characterized by the production of special types of natural products called phytocannabinoids that are synthesized exclusively by this genus. Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids are chemically different, but both pharmacologically modulate CB1, CB2, GRP55, GRP119 and TRPV1 receptor activities, involving activities such as memory, sleep, mood, appetite and motor regulation, pain sensation, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and apoptosis. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are phytocannabinoids with greater pharmacological potential, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activities. Cannabidiol is showing promising results for the treatment of COVID-19, due to its capability of acting on the unleashed cytokine storm, on the proteins necessary for both virus entry and replication and on the neurological consequences of patients who have been infected by the virus. Here, we summarize the latest knowledge regarding the advantages of using cannabinoids in the treatment of COVID-19.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36556483/

“Cannabinoids, especially CBD, appear to be promising in the treatment of COVID-19, as an adjuvant of current antiviral drugs, reducing lung inflammation by decreasing chemokines and cytokines secreted by the cells of the immune system or mediating in the CNS reducing morbidity as fear, anxiety, stress, sleep disorders. However, more research and clinical studies are necessary, especially to establish the effects of their long-term use. In any case, many countries are allowing the use of medical cannabis and this plant, which has been used since ancient times, could be a natural therapeutic alternative for COVID-19 infected patients, but there is still a long way to go for its acceptance and use in routine clinical practice.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/12/12/2117

“Despite the approval of multiple vaccinations in different countries, the majority of the world’s population remains unvaccinated due to discrepancies in vaccine distribution and limited production capacity. The SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 complex (receptor binding domain that binds to ACE2) could be a suitable target for the development of a vaccine or an inhibitor. Various natural products have been used against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we docked 42 active cannabinoids to the active site of the SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV complex of RBD-ACE2. To ensure the flexibility and stability of the complex produced after docking, the top three ligand molecules with the best overall binding energies were further analyzed through molecular dynamic simulation (MDS). Then, we used the webserver Swissadme program and binding free energy to calculate and estimate the MMPBSA and ADME characteristics. Our results showed that luteolin, CBGVA, and CBNA were the top three molecules that interact with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 complex, while luteolin, stigmasterol, and CBNA had the strongest contact with that SARS-CoV. Our findings show that luteolin may be a potential inhibitor of infections caused by coronavirus-like pathogens such as COVID-19, although further in vivo and in vitro research is required.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36551156/

“Viral entry was crucial to the invasion of the host cell. In a recent investigation, luteolin and CBNA were found to have antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. It can be concluded that luteolin and CBNA not only restrict virus entry by blocking the RBD-ACE2 complex, which was previously thought to be responsible for membrane fusion but also modulates the immune system, as other cannabinoids such as CBD have demonstrated. The top three bioactive substances were strongly associated with the main viral entrance sites, according to our research, indicating that they could be used as a potential inhibitor against severe acute respiratory syndrome. Thus, luteolin and CBNA can be a potential inhibitor to avoid COVID-19 or severe acute respiratory syndrome, although their inhibitory effects in vivo and in vitro need to be investigated further.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/12/1729

“Objective: To assess whether the effects of oral administration of 300 mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) for 28 days on mental health are maintained for a period after the medication discontinuation. 

Methods: This is a 3-month follow-up observational and clinical trial study. The data were obtained from two studies performed simultaneously by the same team in the same period and region with Brazilian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scales to assess emotional symptoms were applied weekly, in the first month, and at weeks eight and 12. 

Results: The primary outcome was that, compared to the control group, a significant reduction in General Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire (GAD-7) from baseline values was observed in the CBD group on weeks two, four, and eight (Within-Subjects Contrasts, time-group interactions: F_1-125 = 7.67; p = 0.006; η_p ² = 0.06; F_1-125 = 6.58; p = 0.01; η_p ² = 0.05; F_1-125 = 4.28; p = 0.04; η_p ² = 0.03, respectively) after the end of the treatment. 

Conclusions: The anxiolytic effects of CBD in frontline health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic were maintained up to 1 month after the treatment discontinuation, suggesting a persistent decrease in anxiety in this group in the real world. Future double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the present findings and weigh the benefits of CBD therapy against potential undesired or adverse effects.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36263136/

“This observational and clinical trial study combination follow-up showed that the beneficial effects on anxiety, emotional exhaustion/burnout, and depressive symptoms observed among frontline health care professionals working with patients with COVID-19 after 28 days of daily CBD administration were maintained for up to a month after the treatment discontinuation. This study meets the recently highlighted need for extensive real-world studies on CBD’s potential medicinal use. Future double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to assess the CBD long-term effects and confirm the present findings.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.856846/full

“Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a wide range of symptoms, including death. As persons recover, some continue to experience symptoms described as Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS). The objectives of this study were to measure the efficacy of Formula C™, a cannabidiol (CBD)-rich, whole-flower terpene-rich preparation in managing PACS symptoms. 

Materials and Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, open-label crossover study was conducted in 2021. Informed consent was obtained from participants, and they were randomized to two treatment groups. Group 1 (n=15) received blinded active product for 28 days, and Group 2 (n=16) received blinded placebo for 28 days (Treatment Period 1). Both groups crossed over to open-label active product for 28 days (Treatment Period 2) with a safety assessment at day 70. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS^®) scores and the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) score were used to assess primary and secondary objectives. Safety assessments were also done at each visit. 

Results: Twenty-four participants completed study, with 8 withdrawals, none related to study product. PGIC and PROMIS scores improved across both groups at day 28. This raised questions about the placebo. A reanalysis of the placebo confirmed absence of CBD and unexpected medical concentration of terpenes. The study continued despite no longer having a true placebo. The improved scores on outcome measures were maintained across the open label treatment period. There were no safety events reported throughout the study. 

Discussion: For persons with PACS who are nonresponsive to conventional therapies, this study demonstrated symptom improvement for participants utilizing Formula C. In addition, the benefits seen in Group 2 suggest the possibility that non-CBD formulations rich in antioxidants, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, gamma-linoleic acid, and terpenes may also have contributed to the overall improvement of the partial active group through the study. 

Conclusion: Given that both groups demonstrated improvement, both formulations may be contributing to these findings. Limitations include the small number of participants, the lack of a true placebo, and limited time on study products. Additional studies are warranted to explore both CBD-rich hemp products and hempseed oil as treatment options for PACS. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT04828668.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36252151/

“Formula C is an easy to use, commercially available product which appears to be safe and efficacious in people with PACS. There were no adverse events or safety concerns with utilizing Formula C in this patient population.

In summary, PACS has emerged as a patient population requiring extended periods of chronic care. The failure to identify an effective treatment with the use of traditional western medicinal products suggests the need to explore alternative and integrative approaches to improving the lives of those people affected with ongoing post-COVID conditions.”

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2022.0135

“Cannabidiol (CBD) was formulated as a metered dose inhaler (CBD-MDI) and evaluated in vitro for its efficacy as an inhaled dosage form against inflammation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli, silica particles, nicotine, and coal tar.

A CBD-MDI formulation was prepared with 50 mg of CBD in 10 mL for a CBD dose of 250 μg/puff. The formulation ingredients included CBD, absolute ethanol as a cosolvent, and HFA-134a as the propellant. High aerosol performance of CBD-MDI was obtained with mass median aerodynamic diameter of 1.25 ± 0.01 μm, geometric standard deviation of 1.75 ± 0.00, emitted dose of 244.7 ± 2.1 μg, and fine particle dose of 122.0 ± 1.6 μg. The cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effectiveness of CBD-MDI were performed in alveolar macrophage (NR8383) and co-culture of alveolar macrophage (NR8383) and human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cell line.

CBD delivered from an MDI was safe on respiratory cells and did not trigger an immune response in alveolar macrophages. CBD-MDI effectively reduced the generation of cytokines in immune cells treated with viral antigen S-RBD, bacterial antigen LPS, silica particles, and coal tar. The efficacy of CBD-MDI was comparable to budesonide. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that the use of CBD-MDI was more effective in treatment rather than prevention when inflammation was induced by either a viral or bacterial stimulant.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36159727/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S177322472200716X?via%3Dihub

“Small molecule therapeutic agents are needed to treat or prevent infections by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To expedite the discovery of lead compounds for development, assays have been developed based on affinity selection-mass spectrometry (AS-MS), which enables the rapid screening of mixtures such as combinatorial libraries and extracts of botanicals or other sources of natural products. AS-MS assays have been used to find ligands to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for inhibition of cell entry as well as to the 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease (3CLpro) and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex constituent Nsp9, which are targets for inhibition of viral replication.

The AS-MS approach of magnetic microbead affinity selection screening has been used to discover high-affinity peptide ligands to the spike protein as well as the hemp cannabinoids cannabidiolic acid and cannabigerolic acid, which can prevent cell infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Another AS-MS method, native mass spectrometry, has been used to discover that the flavonoids baicalein, scutellarein, and ganhuangenin, can inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 protease 3CLpro. Native mass spectrometry has also been used to find an ent-kaurane natural product, oridonin, that can bind to the viral protein Nsp9 and interfere with RNA replication.

These natural lead compounds are under investigation for the development of therapeutic agents to prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35929396/

https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mas.21800