A little over four months after the coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China, the virus has infected over 4.5 million people worldwide and left at least 300,000 dead, and the hunt for a cure and ultimately a vaccine is raging on. However, due to insufficient data on the novel coronavirus and its penchant towards mutation, scientists are basically shooting in the dark and hoping for a favorable outcome. There have been rumors of numerous cures for the virus, from the anti-malaria drug hydrochxychloroquine, herbal cures and coronavirus oils to cannabis, all of which have been dismissed.
However, based on the results from a preliminary study, proponents of cannabis as a cure or means of prevention against the coronavirus shouldn’t give up just yet. Scientists conducting a study at Canada’s University of Lethbridge are now theorizing that certain strains of cannabis may possibly prevent COVID-19 infection. After studying over 400 strains of marijuana, the researchers concluded that at least a dozen of them helped in preventing the coronavirus from having a host in the mouth, intestines and lungs.
According to the study’s head researcher Dr. Igor Kovalchuck, “a number of them have reduced the number of the virus receptors by 73%, and the chances of it getting in is much lower. If they can reduce the number of receptors, there’s much less chance of getting infected.” The study, which was published April 19 on Preprints, a platform of early versions of research outputs, states that all cannabis plants for the study were grown in a licensed facility at the University of Lethbridge to obtain the extracts, which were then applied to artificial human 3D tissue models of oral, airway and intestinal tissues.
The researchers identified 13 CBD extracts that are able to change the levels of enzyme ACE2 which has previously been linked to COVID-19 infection. Some strains were also found to control serine protease TMPRSS2, another protein that facilitates the infection of COVID-19 into host cells. The study concluded that the extracts, “pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy.”
Once the study is peer reviewed and more research proves cannabis’ viability in preventing coronavirus infection, “the extracts can be used to develop easy to use preventative treatments in the form of mouthwash and throat gargle products for both clinical and at-home use. Such products ought to be tested for their potential to decrease viral entry via the oral mucosa. Given the current dire and rapidly evolving epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue must be considered.”
Industry watchers say such research findings come as good news to marijuana companies like Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) who have always said that the full medical benefits of this versatile plant will takes years or even decades to be fully documented.
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