CBD from cannabis reduces COVID-19 lung damage

The next research speaks of positive effects for seriously ill patients

Since the beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic that swept across the globe, countless scientists have been rabidly researching the potential benefits of health treatments using the active ingredients contained in cannabis. Their uniting hope is to find how the use of CBD for COVID-19 can be beneficial.

Most recently, a notable study on mice made headlines, reporting that one hundred percent of mice treated with THC survived artificially induced acute lung failure. This has raised hopes in the fight against Covid 19.

With high hopes, what comes next?

With the first batch promising results encouraging researchers, a second round of research took place in cooperation between the Dental College of Georgia, and the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Much like the first round of research on mice, the second batch of results delivered promising outcomes that are not to be sneezed at. When CBD from cannabis was used as a treatment for the symptoms of sars CoV-2 disease, the CBD reduced COVID-19 induced lung damage.

Why CBD for COVID-19 is interesting researchers so much

The reason scientists persued research into the use of CBD against the severe symptoms of COVID-19 disease is that cannabinoid is already known to increase available oxygen levels, all whilst inhibiting inflammation.

The researchers have now been able to show that the use of cannabidiol boosts the production of the natural peptide apelin and increases its levels.

Laboratory models have also shown that in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ADRS), the blood-apelin level is reduced to almost zero. However, when CBD is introduced, the levels can increase again, up to a factor of about 20.

Apelin is a ubiquitous peptide that is formed by cells in the heart, lungs, brain, fatty tissue, and blood. It is an important regulator to reduce both blood pressure and inflammation, explains the study’s author, Dr. Babak Baban, DCG immunologist, and the deputy dean of research. “CBD was almost able to bring apelin back to normal levels,” reported Dr. Jack Yu, a participating researcher.

Apelin mechanism of action

Apelin works together with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors (ACE2) to control blood pressure. But it is precisely this receptor that COVID-19 uses to enter human cells. The virus then interrupts the cooperation between ACE2 and Apelin, preventing the blood vessels from relaxing while, at the same time, forcing other cells to start reproducing the pathogen.

The authors of the study found that treatments with CBD somehow make it possible to restart apelin production in infected bodies. Doing so, they were able to protect lungs, and even begin the repair process for some of the structural damage caused by viruses like COVID-19.

While results are promising, more research is needed into CBD for COVID-19

However, the researchers point out that they do not yet know whether the coronavirus or CBD is directly related to apelin. Additionally, they also do not know whether the production of the peptide is a side effect of other body processes that occur during disease.

What they do point, however, is that previous research has already shown the strong correlation it has with ADRS, mentioning that Apelin plays an important role. More research is needed, however.

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(Featured image by fernandozhiminaicela via Pixabay)

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First published in Hanf Journal, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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