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Therapeutic Effects of Cannabinoids and Their Applications in COVID-19 Treatment

Authors :
Rebeca Pérez
Talita Glaser
Cecilia Villegas
Viviana Burgos
Henning Ulrich
Cristian Paz
Source :
Life, Vol 12, Iss 12, p 2117 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Cannabis sativa is one of the first medicinal plants used by humans. Its medical use remains controversial because it is a psychotropic drug whose use has been banned. Recently, however, some countries have approved its use, including for recreational and medical purposes, and have allowed the scientific study of its compounds. Cannabis is characterized by the production of special types of natural products called phytocannabinoids that are synthesized exclusively by this genus. Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids are chemically different, but both pharmacologically modulate CB1, CB2, GRP55, GRP119 and TRPV1 receptor activities, involving activities such as memory, sleep, mood, appetite and motor regulation, pain sensation, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and apoptosis. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are phytocannabinoids with greater pharmacological potential, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activities. Cannabidiol is showing promising results for the treatment of COVID-19, due to its capability of acting on the unleashed cytokine storm, on the proteins necessary for both virus entry and replication and on the neurological consequences of patients who have been infected by the virus. Here, we summarize the latest knowledge regarding the advantages of using cannabinoids in the treatment of COVID-19.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20751729
Volume :
12
Issue :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Life
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.501e3422ea9949a0b66ab03452474d0c
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/life12122117