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

Nguyen, L. C.; Yang, D.; Nicolaescu, V.; Best, T.; Chen, S.; Friesen, J. B.; Drayman, N.; Mohamed, A.; Dann, C.; Silva, D.; Gula, H.; Jones, K. A.; Millis, J. M.; Dickinson, B. C.; Tay, S.; Oakes, S. A.; Pauli, G. F.; Meltzer, D. O.; Randall, G.; Rosner, M. R.

doi:10.1101/2021.03.10.432967

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.03.10.432967

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

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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.

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Nguyen, L. C., Yang, D., Nicolaescu, V., Best, T., Chen, S., Friesen, J. B., Drayman, N., Mohamed, A., Dann, C., Silva, D., Gula, H., Jones, K. A., Millis, J. M., Dickinson, B. C., Tay, S., Oakes, S. A., Pauli, G. F., Meltzer, D. O., Randall, G., Rosner, M. R.. 2021-03-10. Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Promotes the Host Innate Immune Response. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.10.432967

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