Cannabis and coronavirus

1. Cannabis and COVID-19 cytokine storm
Isaac Karimi
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University 67149-67346, Kermanshah, Iran.
isaac_karimi2000@yahoo.com; karimiisaac@razi.ac.ir; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7415-0472
Based on seminal reports, the immune system is over-activated in coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) patients [1]. The straight consequences of this hyperinflammatory condition and
immune burst are symbolized as cytokine storm (CS) [2] which catalyses tissue destruction and
even leads to death. It seems to be rational to stop the noisy tumalt of immune cells and severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) through managing host response. The
overarching goal of using therapeutics is centered on antiviral drugs while it should be
hyperfocused on host defense. In this line, vaccination and drugs interacting with host protein
targets are far reaching goals to build healthier immune responses far away from excess statistical
skewness or kurtosis. Therefore, we should seek immunosuppressants to prohibit or to correct

2. immune system in CS, while the majorities of papers reported immunostimulating agents. In this
context, some botanical ingredients derived from various parts, mainly topflowers, of Cannabis
sativa L. (phytocannabinoids) possess immunosuppressive activities [3] eligble for vanishing CS.
In this orate, I will try to appreciate the attention of researchers to anti-CS activities of
phytocannabinoids reported in cannabis preparations like marijuana and hashish. Practically, I
pursue to describe the interactions of experimentally approved immunosupressive cannabinoids
and major targets involving in the pathobiology of CS by means of systematic review accompanied
with computational immunopharmacology.
Keywords: In silico drug discovery, cannabinoids, immunosuppression, cytokine storm,
hyperinflammation
References:
1. Kamla Prasad Mishra, Ajay Kumar Singh, Shashi Bala Singh. Hyperinflammation and
immune response generation in COVID-19. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2020;27:80–86
2. Quirch M, Lee J, Rehman S. Hazards of the cytokine storm and cytokine-targeted therapy
in patients with COVID-19: Review. J Med Internet Res. 2020 Aug 13;22(8):e20193.
3. Eisenstein TK, Meissler JJ. Effects of Cannabinoids on T-cell Function and Resistance to
Infection. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2015 Jun;10(2):204-16.
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Isaac Karimi is an academic member in the Razi University from 2008. He received his Doctor
of Veterinary Medicine (DVM; 1998-2004) from Shahr-e-Kord University, Iran and Doctor of
Veterinary Sciences (DVSc; 2004-2008) in physiology from Urmia University, Iran. I.K. has an

3. interdisciplinary view, however he is concentrated on ethnopharmacology, translational research,
nanotoxicology, computational biology and biomathematics. I.K. (co)authored 130 research
papers and book chapters and served as member of editorial board of many peer-reviewed journals.
Speaker Name: ISAAC KARIMI
Email Id: isaac_karimi2000@yahoo.com; karimiisaac@razi.ac.ir
Conference Name: The 2nd International Pharma Conference which has been scheduled for the
month of April 22-23, 2021 on an online platform
Session Name:
Abstract Category:
Ph. No-+989129480462