Cannabis sativa: 2023-Outbreak and Re-emergence of Nipah virus (NiV) in India: Role of Hemp oil

This review paper highlights and updates the outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV), an emerging zoonotic bat borne virus that can cause severe respiratory illness and deadly encephalitis in humans. Nipah virus (NiV) outbreak was first reported in 1998 from Malaysia and then recorded in Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. A recent fifth outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV) during August-September 2023 in Kerala State, India brought this emerging-re-emerging virus into the spotlight again. Due to the lack of vaccines and drugs with proven effectiveness against Nipah virus (NiV), treatment of patients is limited to supportive and prophylactic. Fruit bats are the main reservoir for this virus, which can cause disease in humans and animals. Nipah virus (NiV) can be transmitted from bats or livestock to humans, typically via contaminated food (fruit or raw date palm sap), and person-to-person through respiratory secretions. Hemp seed oil has gained remarkable popularity due to its perceived therapeutic properties, particularly antiviral properties for potential health benefits. During the recent outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV), the local traditional healers in India used hemp oil as the mouth wash for controlling throat infections, head ache, vomiting and suggested for the consumption of hemp seeds and oil as the functional food. However, clinical trials and scientific data supporting antiviral activity of Cannabis oil (CBD oil) against Nipah virus (NiV) is lacking. Therefore, further research should focus on exploring the molecular mechanisms of hemp oil against Nipah virus (NiV) is warranted. Multicenter clinical trials should be performed to validate the efficacy of hemp oil alone or in the form of formulations for the treatment of viral infections.