German Researchers Find CBD Potential For Inflammation
A new study has made strides in understanding the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids, with a particular focus on CBD.
Cannabis has long been recognized for its pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing qualities, but the exact mechanisms behind its anti-inflammatory effects have remained elusive until now.
About The Study
- Researchers at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena investigated how compounds within the cannabis plant combat inflammation within the human body.
- Published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, researchers examined various cannabinoids, including the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and the non-psychoactive CBD (cannabidiol), and their interactions with human immune cells.
- All eight cannabinoids under scrutiny were found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.
"All the compounds we studied were found to inhibit the formation of pro-inflammatory messenger substances in cells while enhancing the formation of inflammation-resolving substances," said study co-author Lukas Peltner.
However, CBD emerged as the most potent anti-inflammatory agent among the cannabinoids studied. "CBD induces a switch in the affected cells, steering the inflammatory process from promoting inflammation to inhibiting it," explained Dr. Paul Mike Jordan, co-author of the study.
This research was conducted within the Collaborative Research Centres PolyTarget and ChemBioSys at the University of Jena, Germany, and received funding from the German Research Foundation, as reported by Cannabis Health.
CBD's Potential As An Antiviral Agent
A related study explored CBD's in vitro antiviral activity against various viruses, one of which is the Zika virus, which is spread mostly by mosquitos and can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.
The outcomes were highly encouraging, with CBD demonstrating robust antiviral activity across different cell lines. This suggests that CBD could serve as “a valuable alternative in emergency situations during viral outbreaks, like the one caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus [COVID-19] 2 in 2020,” reads the study.
Furthermore, during in vitro Zika infections, CBD not only exhibited antiviral effects but also boosted the levels of interferon-beta (IFN-β), a pivotal component of the body's immune response against viruses. Additionally, CBD was found to affect cellular membranes and lower intracellular cholesterol levels, influencing the replication of Zika and other viruses.
This research underscores the broad-spectrum antiviral capabilities of CBD and its potential to revolutionize the management of inflammatory diseases.
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