Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication, Promotes Host Innate Immune Response

 Long Chi Nguyen,  

View ORCID ProfileDongbo Yang, Vlad Nicolaescu, Thomas J. Best, Takashi Ohtsuki, Shao-Nong Chen, J. Brent Friesen,  View ORCID ProfileNir Drayman, Adil Mohamed,  View ORCID ProfileChristopher Dann, Diane Silva, Haley Gula,  View ORCID ProfileKrysten A. Jones,  View ORCID ProfileJ. Michael Millis,  View ORCID ProfileBryan C. Dickinson, Savaş Tay, Scott A. Oakes,  View ORCID ProfileGuido F. Pauli,  View ORCID ProfileDavid O. Meltzer,  View ORCID ProfileGlenn Randall,  View ORCID ProfileMarsha Rich Rosner

doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.10.432967

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?].

PDF: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.10.432967v1.full.pdf

ABSTRACT

The rapid spread of COVID-19 underscores the need for new treatments. Here we report that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound produced by the cannabis plant, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection. CBD and its metabolite, 7-OH-CBD, but not congeneric cannabinoids, potently block SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells. CBD acts after cellular infection, inhibiting viral gene expression and reversing many effects of SARS-CoV-2 on host gene transcription. CBD induces interferon expression and up-regulates its antiviral signaling pathway. A cohort of human patients previously taking CBD had significantly lower SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence of up to an order of magnitude relative to matched pairs or the general population. This study highlights CBD, and its active metabolite, 7-OH-CBD, as potential preventative agents and therapeutic treatments for SARS-CoV-2 at early stages of infection.

Competing Interest Statement

Five of the authors (MRR, GR, LCN, DY and JMM) filed a provisional patent entitled Method of use of Cannabidiol as an antiviral agent. Receipt of the provisional patient was acknowledged by the USPTO on November 30, 2020. S.A.O. is a cofounder and consultant at OptiKira., L.L.C. (Cleveland, OH).

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.10.432967v1