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Ythan
ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ


Registered: 08/08/97
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Cannabis shows promise blocking coronavirus infection: Alberta researcher 1
#26654290 - 05/07/20 02:37 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Cannabis shows promise blocking coronavirus infection: Alberta researcher calgaryherald.com
Cannabis extracts are showing potential in making people more resistant to the novel coronavirus, says an Alberta researcher leading a study.
After sifting through 400 cannabis strains, researchers at the University of Lethbridge are concentrating on about a dozen that show promising results in ensuring less fertile ground for the potentially lethal virus to take root, said biological scientist Dr. Igor Kovalchuk.
“A number of them have reduced the number of these (virus) receptors by 73 per cent, the chance of it getting in is much lower,” said Kovalchuk.
“If they can reduce the number of receptors, there’s much less chance of getting infected.”
Employing cannabis sativa strains over the past three months, the researcher said the effective balance between cannabis components THC and CBD — the latter more typically associated with medical use — is still unclear in blocking the novel coronavirus.
“It will take a long time to find what the active ingredient is — there may be many,” said Kovalchuk, who has partnered with Alberta cannabis research firm Swysh and Pathway RX, the latter owned partly by Olds-based licensed cannabis producer Sundial Growers.
But it’s generally the anti-inflammatory properties of high-CBD content that have shown most promise, he added.
“We focus more on the higher CBD because people can take higher doses and not be impaired,” said Kovalchuk.
The study under Health Canada licence using artificial human 3-D tissue models has been seeking ways to hinder the highly contagious novel coronavirus from finding a host in the lungs, intestines, and oral cavity.
If successful, the work could find practical medical use in the form of mouth wash, gargle, inhalants or gel caps, said Kovalchuk.
“It would be cheaper for people and have a lot less side-effects,” he said.
But the absence of clinical trials remains a barrier, and funding from an increasingly cash-strapped cannabis industry isn’t there to fuel that, said Kovalchuk.
“We have clinicians who are willing to work with us but for a lot of companies in the cannabis business, it’s significant cash that they can’t afford,” he said.
The scientist emphasized the findings wouldn’t lead to a vaccine — something “less specific and precise” but nonetheless another possible weapon against COVID-19.
“The extracts of our most successful and novel high CBD C sativa lines, pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy,” said Kovalchuk.
“Given the current dire and rapidly evolving epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue must be considered.”
Israeli researchers have begun clinical trials of CBD as a treatment to repair cells damaged by COVID-19 by using its anti-inflammatory abilities.
It’s thought CBD could enhance the traditional effect of steroids in such treatment of patients in life-threatening condition and also bolster the immune system.
It’s the kind of research and his own that deserves government funding in Canada, said the U of L scientist.
“Our work could have a huge influence — there aren’t many drugs that have the potential of reducing infection by 70 to 80 per cent,” he said.
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sh4d0ws
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Registered: 02/26/08
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Re: Cannabis shows promise blocking coronavirus infection: Alberta researcher [Re: Ythan]
#26654346 - 05/07/20 03:35 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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I imagine this receptor "competition" is why nicotine is also effective?
Very interesting stuff!
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Holybullshit
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Registered: 01/06/19
Posts: 1,551
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Re: Cannabis shows promise blocking coronavirus infection: Alberta researcher [Re: sh4d0ws]
#26654569 - 05/07/20 07:41 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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When they say receptors, do they mean angiotensin receptors?
Also, how quickly does this effect occur? Because, even if the extract used was non-psychotropic, I think you'd have a hard time convincing many healthy people to take it regularly. But if the reduction in ACE2(I'm assuming) receptors occurs quickly you could possibly administer it to those already infected, if detected soon enough, as a way of preventing the virus from moving from one's throat to their lungs.
They've found that what may be an important factor in deciding whether an infected person has a mild case vs developing severe respiratory problems may be the number of ACE2 receptors...which are upregulated by angiotensin II receptor blockers and ace inhibitors, which could be playing a part(along with the direct effect being overweight has on ones health) in why overweight people seem to be more likely to develop severe symptoms as they are more likely to be prescribed said drugs.
As I understood it people have a high concentration of said receptors in the throat, and if the virus is able to establish a "stronghold" there it is then able to move into the lungs. But I don't know if it would be plausible to reduce the number of ACE2 receptors quickly enough to make a difference after one is already infected.
But, this could be a great way to protect at risk and elderly populations from COVID-19.
Edited by Holybullshit (05/07/20 07:50 AM)
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HappySloth



Registered: 01/24/19
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Re: Cannabis shows promise blocking coronavirus infection: Alberta researcher [Re: Holybullshit]
#26654904 - 05/07/20 11:10 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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meepins
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Registered: 09/08/18
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Re: Cannabis shows promise blocking coronavirus infection: Alberta researcher [Re: HappySloth]
#26706866 - 05/30/20 10:23 AM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Super cool
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