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Cannabis ‘Cure’ for COVID-19 – A Cynic’s View

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The rush to combat, find a preventative, a cure or a vaccine for Coronavirus will make Trillions

Many researchers, scientists, quacks and well meaning idiots are competing in this space to be the first to find a vaccine or cure or preventative form of medicine to sell to billions of people.

One such proposed preventative comes from Dr Igor Kovalchuk, a plant biologist/geneticist working out of the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, in Alberta, Canada,

Kovalchuk describes himself in his LinkedIn profile as; “…an entrepreneur, with interest in breeding new plant varieties with various medicinal properties. I focus on plants exhibiting pain-killing, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.”

Dr Kovalchuk has a company, InPlanta Biotechnology, which obtained the first Canadian Cannabis Nursery License.

In the first quarter of 2018 Sundial Growers – an Alberta-based Health Canada ACMPR-approved licensed producer of medical cannabis – formed a strategic partnership with Alberta-based medicinal plant research and technology firm Plantbiosis and welcomed Plantbiosis Founder and University of Lethbridge Professor, Dr. Igor Kovalchuk to its Management Team.

Igor Kovalchuk has published 230 publications on Researchgate.

On 19 April 2020 Doctors B. Wang, A Kovalchuk, D Li, Y Ilnytskyy, I Kovalchuk and O Kovalchuk publishd a PREPRINT paper titled: In Search of Preventative Strategies: Novel Anti-Inflammatory High-CBD Cannabis Sativa Extracts Modulate ACE2 Expression in COVID-19 Gateway Tissues.

In scientific study any paper to gain credibility and acceptance MUST be peer-reviewed, a preprint is a piece of research that has not yet been peer reviewed and published in a journal. In most cases, they can be considered final drafts or working papers.

The preprint paper states:

Working under the Health Canada research license, we have developed over 800 new Cannabis sativa lines and extracts and hypothesized that high-CBD C. sativa extracts may be used to modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 target tissues. Screening C. sativa extracts using artificial human 3D models of oral, airway, and intestinal tissues, we identified 13 high CBD C. sativa extracts that modulate ACE2 gene expression and ACE2 protein levels. Our initial data suggest that some C. sativa extract down-regulate serine protease TMPRSS2, another critical protein required for SARS-CoV2 entry into host cells. While our most effective extracts require further large-scale validation, our study is crucial for the future analysis of the effects of medical cannabis on 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. They 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.

FIRST cynical observation:

The good doctor recognises the potential for his research and special abilities to make some serious money. He is in a ‘hot’ industry worldwide with the swing to more natural based medicines and remedies. This industry is full of competition and many people making many claims in order to move product. Universities makes tons of money out of research which can lead to less than altruistic reasons for developing or marketing of such work.

SECOND cynical observation:

Using a preprint puts the researcher ahead of the pack and focuses the attention of people on a POSSIBLE cure or remedy. I am inclined to say that it is also an extremely good form of shotgun marketing as it also highlights other products and marketable skills for sale.

THIRD cynical observation:

Such marketing is an opportunity for editorial reviews such as this one on MyPE to gain eyeballs and a smidgen of notoriety for the writer/observer. OR just the smug satisfaction of knowing that millions of people will be rushing out right now to Grow Their Own cannabis?

LEST the Nicotine Brigade feel left out they can take comfort in the news that the cannabis research parallels research into nicotine’s effect on the coronavirus, where it is thought that some strains of cannabis reduce the virus’ ability to enter the lungs, where it takes hold, reproduces and spreads.

In the meantime get growing, get smoking, get drinking, get munching.

References:

  1. https://www.linkedin.com/in/igor-kovalchuk-a54997b1/
  2. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/21/1443551/0/en/Sundial-Forms-Strategic-Partnership-with-Plantbiosis-Ltd-and-Welcomes-Dr-Igor-Kovalchuk-to-its-Management-Team.html
  3. https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202004.0315/v1
  4. https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2020/04/22/u-of-l-new-medical-cannabis-cultivars-show-promise-in-combatting-covid-19/
  5. https://calgaryherald.com/cannabis/cannabis-shows-promise-blocking-coronavirus-infection-alberta-researcher/
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.