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Abstract

Besides lungs, intestines possess a high density of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE-2) receptors and therefore, serve as a favorable site for SAR-CoV2 replication. In light of its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential exhibited in the lungs, Cannabidiol (CBD) has been suggested as a potential agent for managing Covid-19 infections. In an in vitro study, using Caco-2 cells, Corpetti and colleagues investigated the efficacy of CBD against hyperinflammatory responses and epithelial cell damage induced by the SARS-CoV2 spike protein. Their results revealed a PPAR-γ-dependent decrease in toxicity. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), ACE-2, inflammasome complex (NLRP3), and Caspase-1, family members of Ras homologues A-GTPase (RhoA-GTPase) were markedly decreased by the use of CBD. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed parallel inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-18, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and IL-6. An enhanced tight-junction protein expression along with restoration of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was seen with CBD treatment. Henceforth, CBD has shown a strong in vitro inhibition of enterotoxicity induced by spike protein. Phytother Res. 2021 Dec;35(12):6893-6903.