The dynamics of cannabidiol in the COVID-19 pandemic

Searching for and finding drugs that may be effective against the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) is vital in anticipation of an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV2. We suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid, has the potential to reduce severity and progression of the disease for various reasons:

1) Cannabis extracts (Cannabis sativa), which are high in CBD, are able to regulate the expression of the two major protein receptors for SARS-CoV2 in various models of human respiratory epithelium.

2) CBD has a wide range of immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties and can mitigate the excessive and sometimes uncontrolled production of cytokines, which characterize Acute Pulmonary Injury.

3) CBD, being a militant for PPARγ, may exhibit immediate antiviral activity.

4) PPARG agonists are regulators of fibroblast and muscle fibroblast activation and can inhibit the development of pulmonary fibrosis, thus improving lung function in patients who have recovered.

We hope that our case, confirmed by many preclinical data, will lead to further targeted studies to test CBD as a supportive drug against COVID-19 pandemic.

British Journal of Pharmacology, June 10, 2020

Researchers:

Giuseppe Esposito, Marcella Pesce, Luisa Seguella, Walter Sanseverino,
Jie Lu, Chiara Corpetti, Giovanni Sarnelli

source : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32519753/