Canadian researchers suspect that the medicinal plant could protect against the coronavirus. The results are part of an investigation into the use of cannabis to treat cancer and Crohn’s disease.
In searching for a vaccine or drug against the new SARS-CoV-2, researchers are currently applying both traditional and non-traditional approaches. Different medications have been examined, such as Remdesivir, which was originally developed to treat Ebola.
In Germany, the first clinical trials of a vaccine with a drug developed for cancer immunology are underway. A French study suggested that nicotine, which is often inhaled by smoking, may protect against the new coronavirus.
And now, in Canada, a report was published explaining that certain active ingredients in the psychoactive drug cannabis could also increase the resistance of cells against the coronavirus. If the study is verified, cannabis could act similarly to nicotine. However, the study has not yet been reviewed by other researchers.
“The results on COVID come from our studies on arthritis, Crohn’s disease, cancer and others,” Dr Igor Kovalchuck, professor of bioscience at the University of Lethbridge, told DW.
Blocks virus access
As with nicotine’s alleged anti-coronavirus effect, researchers assume that some cannabis substances may reduce the virus’s ability to enter lung cells, where it settles, reproduces, and spreads.
In an article – not yet verified by other experts – published on preprints.org, Kovalchuck and colleagues write that their specially developed cannabis strains effectively prevent the virus from entering the body. The coronavirus needs a “receptor” to enter a cell. This receptor is known as ACE2 (Angiotensin II Converting Enzyme), which is found in lung tissue, in the mucosa of the mouth and nose, in the kidneys, in the testicles and in the gastrointestinal tract.
According to his theory, it could be that cannabinoids alter “access” due to the absence of ACE2. The host would then be less susceptible and vulnerable to the virus: “If there is no ACE2 in the tissue, the virus cannot penetrate,” Kovalchuck explained.
Does not work with own harvest
Various doctors praise medicinal cannabis for the treatment of various diseases: from nausea to dementia. However, this is not the same one that can be planted in the garden, at home. These strains are normally known for their content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in the drug.
For their part, Canadian researchers have focused on varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant that have high levels of the anti-inflammatory drug cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). They developed more than 800 new Cannabis sativa variants with high levels of CBD and identified 13 extracts that they say regulate “access” to the human body.
Careful with the publication of results
Some UK researchers suggest that there are misconceptions about medicinal cannabis in society. Furthermore, doctors fear that people will become addicted or try to treat themselves with other forms of consumption.
“Given the sociopolitical volatility of medical cannabis use, researchers must be especially careful in disseminating their results,” said Chris Albertyn, an expert on cannabinoids and dementia. The best way to do this is to introduce open and transparent research methods, according to him.
“In this case, research in Canada has just discovered a possible therapeutic ‘mechanism of action’, but one that would have to be validated and tested in well-designed and robust clinical trials, before meaningful clinical conclusions can be drawn,” added Albertyn.
“There is a wide interest” in continuing to study cannabis
Without adequate funding and without further research, knowledge about cannabinoids will be lacking, regardless of whether the research results are successful. “At least now there is a broad interest,” said Kovalchuck.
While Kovalchuck and his co-authors admit that even their most effective extracts need large-scale validation, they add that cannabidiol may be a “safe supplement” for the treatment of COVID-19. That is, in conjunction with other treatments.