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. 2024 Jan 17:41:e00829.
doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2024.e00829. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Terpenes and cannabidiol against human corona and influenza viruses-Anti-inflammatory and antiviral in vitro evaluation

Lior Chatow  1 , Adi Nudel  1 , Nadav Eyal  1 , Tal Lupo  1 , Silvia Ramirez  1 , Einat Zelinger  2 , Iris Nesher  1 , Richard Boxer  3
Affiliations

Terpenes and cannabidiol against human corona and influenza viruses-Anti-inflammatory and antiviral in vitro evaluation

Lior Chatow et al. Biotechnol Rep (Amst). .

Abstract

The activity of the terpenes and Cannabidiol (CBD) against human coronavirus (HCoV) strain OC43 and influenza A (H1N1) was evaluated in human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5 cells). Also, we examined whether these ingredients inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The tested preparations exhibited both anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. The combination of terpenes was effective against both HCoV-OC43 and influenza A (H1N1) virus. The addition of CBD improved the antiviral activity in some, but not all cases. This variation in activity may suggest an antiviral mechanism. In addition, there was a strong correlation between the quantitative results from a cell-viability assay and the cytopathic effect after 72 h, as observed under a microscope. The anti-inflammatory properties of terpenes were demonstrated using a pro-inflammatory cytokine-inhibition assay, which revealed significant cytokine inhibition and enhanced by the addition of CBD.

Keywords: CBD; Coronavirus; Cytokine storm; Influenza virus; Terpenes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Lior Chatow, Nadav Eyal, Silvia Ramirez and Adi Nudel are employees of Eybna Technologies, a company that manufactures terpene-based formulations. Iris Nesher and Richard Boxer are advisors of Eybna Technologies.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Process of terpene selection for NT-VRL® development. A. Terpenes range number of compounds per classification. B. Terpenes that were used for NT-VRL® are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), food-grade (FEMA), safe to inhale, and possess antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Cytotoxicity of treatments to MRC-5 cells. MRC-5 cells were treated with different concentrations of the compounds for 72 h. Cell viability was then determined using an XTT assay that measures metabolically active live cells. Results represent mean percent viability ± SD (n = 4). CBD—cannabidiol.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Cell viability in each treatment group. The bars represent means + standard deviation (SD). Bars that are not labeled with a common letter are significantly different from one another (p < 0.05). n = 4.
Fig 4
Fig. 4
Cell viability in each treatment group. The bars represent means + SD. Bars that are not labeled with a common letter are significantly different from one another (p < 0.05). n = 4.
Fig 5
Fig. 5
Protective effects of pre-treatment of MRC-5 cells with NT-VRL®ฏ and CBD against the morphological effect of HCoV-OC43 infection. (A) Healthy MRC-5 cells. (B) MRC-5 cells that were pre-treated with assay medium, photographed 72 h after inoculation with HCoV-OC43. (C) MRC-5 cells that were pre-treated with NT-VRL®ฏ and CBD, photographed at 72 h after exposure to HCoV-OC43.
Fig 6
Fig. 6
Cell viability in each treatment group. The bars represent means + SD. Bars that are not labeled with a common letter are significantly different from one another (p < 0.05). n = 4.
Fig 7
Fig. 7
Effects of NT-VRL®ฏ and CBD applied pre-infection on the cytopathic effect of influenza A (H1N1) virus in MRC-5 cells. (A) Healthy MRC-5 cells. (B) MRC-5 cells at 72 h after infection with influenza A (H1N1) virus. (C) MRC-5 cells that were pre-treated with NT-VRL®ฏ, photographed 72 h after exposure to influenza A (H1N1) virus.
Fig 8
Fig. 8
Cell viability in each treatment group. The bars represent means + SD. Bars that are not labeled with a common letter are significantly different from one another (p < 0.05). n = 4.
Fig 9
Fig. 9
Effects of NT-VRL®ฏ and CBD applied pre-infection on the cytopathic effect of HCoV-229E on MRC-5 cells. (A) Healthy MRC-5 cells. (B) MRC-5 cells at 72 h after infection with HCoV-229E. (C) MRC-5 cells that were pre-treated with NT-VRL®ฏ, photographed 72 h after exposure to HCoV-229E.
Fig 10
Fig. 10
Inhibition of secretion of each pro-inflammatory. The bars represent means + SD. Bars that are not labeled with a common letter are significantly different from one another (p < 0.05). n = 3.
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