Cannabis could be used to combat COVID-19
Recently a series of news have been published claiming that cannabis may be the cure against COVID-19, or that it could even serve to "close" the pathways for the virus to enter our body. In this blog we share with you the scientific advances so far.
Research to find a cure or vaccine to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus is progressing at a rapid pace. To date, there are at least 80 groups worldwide (pharmaceutical, government, university, or mixed) conducting clinical trials and searching for treatments for COVID-19. [1]
Researchers have been working for months and the possible solutions they have proposed are very varied. Some initiatives propose traditional methods such as inactivating the virus for use in vaccines and others opt to use synthetic versions of the genetic code of the virus. [2]
The field of cannabinoid medicine is not far behind: it is already working on alternatives to treat COVID-19 disease and its various symptoms.
There are different proposals: some aim to block the entry of the virus into the organism (before infection), while others aim to treat the symptoms of the disease (after infection).
Cannabis as a treatment for SARS
Prior to the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, cannabis had already been studied as a treatment for another strain of the same virus family: the one that causes the disease known as SARS. In 2003, China was the epicenter of a serious outbreak of SARS infections caused by the SARS-CoV coronavirus. To combat this, in 2007 researchers in the same country were pioneers in examining the antiviral properties of cannabis. They analyzed 221 compounds in the plant and found that several of them have strong anti-SARS-CoV effects: various terpenes, lignoids, curcumin, niclosamide and valinomycin. [3]
This research focused on a distinct strain of coronavirus, but stands out as a forerunner in both the field of virology and cannabinoid medicine.
CBD to prevent the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Currently, researchers at the University of Lethbridge (ULeth), located in Alberta, Canada, have published a preliminary (not yet peer-reviewed) paper on the possible effect of cannabidiol or CBD on the transmission of COVID-19.
The results of the study indicated that high-CBD extracts help block proteins that are the "gateway" for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter host cells. [4]
According to the article, one of the therapeutic avenues to combat the virus is to prevent viral entry. SARS-CoV-2 uses a receptor called ACE2, which is found in the lungs, nose, mouth, kidneys, testicles and gastrointestinal tract, as an entry point. It appears that the combination of CBD and other cannabinoids decreases the number of these proteins, reducing the opportunity for the virus to enter cells and multiply. [4]
The research was conducted on 3D computational models of oral, respiratory and intestinal tissues. From these tests, it is intended to develop easy-to-use preventive treatments in the form of products such as mouthwash for clinical and home use. [4]
Cannabinoids to reduce acute inflammation
The anti-inflammatory and antiviral action of CBD is another alternative in the field of viral infections. The Canadian-based biopharmaceutical company Tetra Bio-Pharma is involved in this front. The company reported that it will screen the active molecule of its drug with the synthetic cannabinoid PPP003, so that it can reduce inflammation and immune system hyperactivity that can lead to sepsis. [5]
Cannabinoids acting at CB2 receptors have been shown to be effective in reducing the acute inflammatory response in experimental sepsis, so some of these may be useful in patients with COVID-19. Future well-designed clinical trials of this synthetic cannabinoid will be needed to demonstrate whether it can help prevent the progression of acute lung injury symptoms and provide an augmented immune response in some patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. [5]
Vegetable vaccine for COVID-19
Zyus Life Sciences, another Canadian firm, is collaborating with the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Organization's International Vaccine Center (VIDO-InterVac) to analyze the antigenic properties of cannabis, seeking to develop a vaccine from the plant.
Plant cells have multiple benefits, such as the ability to be produced on a large scale without contaminants and animal pathogens, as well as requiring less processing costs. [6]
"Exosomes" with CBD
In Israel, InnoCan Pharma Ltd announced that it is working in collaboration with Tel Aviv University to develop a cell therapy using "CBD-loaded exosomes" to treat people with COVID-19. If successful, it will be administered to patients by inhalation and could serve as a treatment for other lung infections. [7]
Exosomes are small particles that arise when stem cells multiply, can act in targeting damaged organs and play an important role in cell-to-cell communication. When the healing properties of exosomes are combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, their reach is expected to have a high synergistic effect. [7]
Conclusions
CBD and other cannabinoids show great promise as therapeutic agents for many diseases, including COVID-19. It is not by chance that Canada and Israel concentrate several of the research efforts in cannabinoid medicine, their regulations allow it and their governments usually grant economic or fiscal incentives to this type of work. In Latin America, few countries have adequate regulatory frameworks and incentives to carry out research work of this magnitude and sufficient capacity to respond to the health crisis.
Cannabinoid medicine can be a new paradigm as long as the right conditions exist for it to develop. At ICAN we strive for the dissemination of verified and verifiable information with content that helps educate and combat cannabis stigma.
References
[1] Gallagher, J (18 de mayo de 2020). Coronavirus vaccine: When Will we have one?. BBC News. Recuperado de <sitio web>, última consulta 4 de junio de 2020.
[2] Flam, F (26 de mayo de 2020). The more COVID-19 vaccines, the merrier. Bloomberg Opinion. Recuperado de <sitio web>, última consulta 4 de junio de 2020.
[3] Wen, C., Kuo, Y., Jan, J., Liang, P., Wang, S., Liu, G. and Hou, C. (2007). Specific plant terpenoids and lignoids possess potent antiviral activities against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Journal of medicinal chemistry, 50(17), 4087-4095.
[4] Wang, B., Kovalchuk, A., Li, D, Ilnytskyy, Y., Kovalchuk, I., Kovalchuk, O. (2020). In Search of Preventative Strategies: Novel Anti-Inflammatory High-CBD Cannabis Sativa Extracts Modulate ACE2 Expression in COVID-19 Gateway Tissues. Preprints, 2020040315 (doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0315.v1).
[5] Tetra Bio-Pharma (27 de abril de 2020). Tetra Bio-Pharma Announces Drug Candidate as Potential Therapy for Managing Cytokine Release Syndrome. Recuperado de <sitio web>, última consulta el 4 de junio 2020.
[6] ZYUS (7 de mayo de 2020). ZYUS Collaborates with USask’s VIDO-InterVac to Develop a Plant-Based Vaccine for COVID-19. Recuperado de <sitio web>, última consulta el 4 de junio 2020.
[7] Tel Aviv University (21 de abril de 2020). TAU to partner with InnoCan Pharma on revolutionary COVID-19 treatment. Recuperado de <sitio web>, última consulta el 4 de junio de 2020.