Opportunities, challenges and pitfalls of using cannabidiol as an adjuvant drug in covid‐19

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection may lead to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) which, in turn, may be associated with multiple organ dysfunction. In this review, we present advantages and disadvantages of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid from the cannabis plant, as a potential agent for the treatment of COVID‐19. CBD has been shown to downregulate proteins responsible for viral entry and to inhibit SARS‐CoV‐2 replication. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness against diseases of the respiratory system as well as its cardioprotective, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and anti‐convulsant properties, that is, effects that may be beneficial for COVID‐ 19. Only the latter two properties have been demonstrated in clinical studies, which also revealed anxiolytic and antinociceptive effects of CBD (given alone or together with Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol), which may be important for an adjuvant treatment to improve the quality of life in patients with COVID‐19 and to limit post‐traumatic stress symptoms. However, one should be aware of side effects of CBD (which are rarely serious), drug interactions (also extending to drugs acting against COVID‐19) and the proper route of its administration (vaping may be dangerous). Clearly, further clinical studies are necessary to prove the suitability of CBD for the treatment of COVID‐19.