‘The Aging-US authors developed over 800 new C. sativa cultivars and hypothesized that high-CBD C. sativa extracts may be used to down-regulate ACE2 expression in target COVID-19 tissues.’
Aging-US published “In search of preventive strategies: novel high-CBD Cannabis sativa extracts modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 gateway tissues” which reported that Cannabis sativa, especially those high in the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid cannabidiol, has been found to alter gene expression and inflammation and harbor anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Working under a Health Canada research license, the Aging-US authors developed over 800 new C. sativa cultivars and hypothesized that high-CBD C. sativa extracts may be used to down-regulate ACE2 expression in target COVID-19 tissues.
Using artificial 3D human models of oral, airway, and intestinal tissues, they identified 13 high-CBD C. sativa extracts that decrease ACE2 protein levels.
Some C. sativa extracts down-regulate serine protease TMPRSS2, another critical protein required for SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells.
Potential for COVID-19 Therapeutics
While their most effective extracts require further large-scale validation, their study is important for future analyses of the effects of medical cannabis on COVID-19. The extracts of their most successful novel high-CBD C. sativa lines, pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the prevention/treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy.
Dr. Olga Kovalchuk and Dr. Igor Kovalchuk said, “There is a global pandemic of the COVID-19 disease, which is caused by the zoonotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).”
Similar to other respiratory pathogens, SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. However, aerosol transmission and close-contact transmission cannot be ruled out as means of disease spread.
An in-depth analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas and Functional Annotation of The Mammalian Genome Cap Analysis of Gene Expression datasets revealed that ACE2 is expressed in oral mucosa and enriched in the epithelial cells of the tongue.
High levels of ACE2 expression in oral epithelial tissues suggests that the oral cavity could be highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and thus an important target for prevention strategies.
ACE2 Overexpression Linked to COVID-19 Risk
Similarly, numerous studies have reported high levels of ACE2 in the lower respiratory tract; higher levels of ACE2 expression, such as those seen in smokers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are associated with higher COVID-19 predisposition and enhanced disease severity.
Using artificial 3D human tissue models, the authors show that high-CBD C. sativa extracts may down-regulate ACE2 expression in target COVID-19 tissues, suggesting an importance of these extracts in COVID-19 prevention.
The Kovalchuk/Kovalchuk Research Team concluded in their Aging-US Research Output, “While our most efficacious extracts require further validation through large-scale analyses, our study is important for future analyses of the effects of medical cannabis on COVID-19. Given the current dire and rapidly developing epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity needs to be considered and researched.”
Reference: “In search of preventive strategies: novel high-CBD Cannabis sativa extracts modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 gateway tissues” by Bo Wang, Anna Kovalchuk, Dongping Li, Rocio Rodriguez-Juarez, Yaroslav Ilnytskyy, Igor Kovalchuk and Olga Kovalchuk, 22 November 2020, Aging-US.
DOI: 10.18632/aging.202225
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5 Comments
Cannabis extracts help in the fight against Covid-19 and anything cannabis is Federally Prohibited through its Schedule I status. It’s been proven to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and now Cannabis sativa, especially those high in the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid cannabidiol, has been found to alter gene expression and inflammation and harbor anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Who Knew? Nobody. Why? Because our U.S. Gov’t says that cannabis is dangerous (too dangerous to even research), addictive, and has no medical value in the United States. Our Federal Gov’t, in effect, is allowing Covid-19 to spread and thrive more in order to protect American citizens from the dangers of marijuana. Along with the so-called dangers of marijuana is its ability to alter gene expression and inflammation and harbor anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Yet Federal Law states “marihuana has no medical value in the United States.” Talk about gov’t conspiracy theories, geez. And it’s been going on for fifty+ years now.
Science is proving CANNABIS validity.
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Of course I use cannabis frequently maybe I’m biased, but lately I’ve trusted the government less and less. A handful of studies from a different parts of the world have been done with Cannabis regarding its immunomodulatory effects and anti-inflammatory effects it brings on humans and other animals. The truth will be suppressed more than likely as it has continued to be for the last 50 years in the UNITED STATES, cannabis users probably can’t even die from Covid19 induced ARDS, CBD alone has been scientifically proven to not only inhibit the cytokine storm which causes ARDS, but inhibits viral replication in human lung epithelial cells which is the main entry point for SarsCov2, ARDS is the main cause of death in Covid19 patients, why wouldn’t you take something natural to prevent ARDS? Would that not be nearly just as effective as Vaccine that does NOT prevent infection or transmission? But they will push the experimental vaccines until we reach Armageddon, due to greed, we will be our own demise (Just a hypothesis). The preventative and potentially the cure to death by Covid19 may have been used for thousands of years for an array of other medicinal purposes and with not one death linked directly to it’s use.