A new laboratory investigation offers early evidence that compounds found in hemp may help block Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a dangerous mosquito-borne pathogen with limited treatment options.
The research, published by Arch Virol and conducted by scientists from Chung-Ang University, The Catholic University of Korea, Kyungpook National University and Gyeongkuk National University, analyzed whether extracts from hemp roots and stems could limit viral activity in cell models.
The team prepared ethanol extracts and organic solvent fractions from hemp material, first identifying non-toxic concentration ranges through standard cytotoxicity assays. Several of these fractions showed strong virucidal effects, but the hexane and chloroform fractions stood out for producing the most pronounced suppression of viral activity.
When these highly active fractions were applied after cells had already been infected, researchers observed a sharp reduction in viral replication. Both JEV mRNA and the viral E protein dropped substantially, indicating that the post-treatment approach directly interfered with the virus’s ability to grow. By contrast, applying the fractions before viral exposure—or at the same time as exposure—did not offer meaningful protection, suggesting the compounds work most effectively once infection is underway.
Further chemical analysis identified several known hemp-derived molecules within the active fractions, and one compound in particular, stigmasterol, emerged as a key antiviral candidate. In follow-up tests, stigmasterol demonstrated both virucidal action and direct antiviral activity. It disrupted viral entry during infection and suppressed viral growth afterward, again reducing JEV mRNA and E protein expression to significant levels.
The findings point to stigmasterol as a likely contributor to the antiviral effects observed in hemp extracts, and the study concludes by stating:
These findings suggest that stigmasterol contributes to the antiviral effects of hemp extracts and may be one of the active compounds responsible for inhibiting JEV replication. This study highlights the potential of hemp-derived natural products, particularly stigmasterol, as promising candidates for the development of antiviral agents against JEV infection.
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