CBDA and CBGA Cannabinoids Block Covid-19 Infection

Two cannabinoids, CBDA and CBGA, have high affinity for the covid-19 spike proteins and were confirmed to block infection, according to results of a recent study by researchers at Oregon State University.

The findings were made by Richard van Breemen and his team at OSU's Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy and Linus Pauling Institute. The study was published in the January 10 issue of the Journal of Natural Products.

“We identified several cannabinoid ligands and ranked them by affinity to the spike protein,” explained van Breemen. “The two cannabinoids with the highest affinities for the spike protein were CBDA and CBGA, and they were confirmed to block infection.”

The study noted, “these compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans. They have the potential to prevent, as well as treat, infection by SARS-CoV2.”

CBDA and CBGA are produced by the hemp plant as precursors to CBD and CBG. However, CBD and CBG are different from the acids and are not contained in hemp products.

Nextraction is a leading CBDA and CBGA extractor and manufacturer of consumer products. Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is the natural form of CBD found in the hemp plant. According to Nextraction, this phytocompound was once thought to be inactive and unstable. But recent research proved that CBDA extracted in particular ways, such as with water, is highly stable and highly bioavailable in the body. Water-based methods appear to keep the structure of CBDA intact and allow for optimal absorption both through skin and blood.

CBDA, not CBD, is the major, natural cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. CBDA contains an extra chemical group called a “hydroxyl” group. When CBDA is exposed to high heat and chemicals, it degrades into CBD, which is less available in the body, according to Nextraction. The natural hydroxyl group attached to CBDA increases bioavailability for better absorption in the body.

Nextraction developed a proprietary water-based method called H2Only. Unlike other water and “bubble” hash methods, Nextraction developed a safer, more scalable method that allows both large and small ingredient batches to be customized to product line design.

Nextraction has a longstanding relationship with the OSU Global Hemp Innovation Center. Nextraction has submitted CBDA/CBGA ingredients to OSU for use in various research projects. To learn more about Nextraction's capabilities, watch the webinar on Happi.com.