Canadian study finds that enzymes in cannabis could treat COVID-19
In a partnership between the University of Lethbridge, Pathway RX and Swysh (both cannabinoid research companies, a discovery has been made that specific Cannabis sativa extracts show promise as an additional treatment for COVID-19.
“The coronavirus needs a “receptor” to enter a human host. That receptor is known as an angiotensin-converting enzyme II or ACE2.
ACE2 is found in lung tissue, in oral and nasal mucus, in the kidneys, testes, and gastrointestinal tracts, they write.
The theory is that by modulating ACE2 levels in those “gateways” to the human host, it may be possible to lower our susceptibility, or vulnerability, to the virus. It could basically reduce our risk of infection.
If there’s no ACE2 on tissues, the virus will not enter” says Olga Kovalchuk, U of L biology professor.
The research document has been uploaded to Preprints and will now be peer reviewed. Further validation in a large-scale analysis and an animal model will be crucial for further analysis.
In addition to the Canadian study, a group of Israeli researchers have also begun clinical trials meant to test whether CBD can be used as a way to repair cells that have been damaged by Covid-19.
Given the current situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity needs to be considered.
