Investigation of the synergistic impact of Artemisia afra and Cannabis sativa against SARS-CoV-2 and PIMS, and the removal of Δ9-THC using molecular imprinted polymers (MIPS).
South Africa
Overview of research project
COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted global economies and societal systems with over 4 million confirmed cases and 285, 000 deaths as of May 15, 2020 (WHO, 2020). Despite the ever-increasing cases and the likelihood of a future outbreak, there is currently no known treatment of SARS-CoV-2. The first confirmed SARS-CoVs outbreak was in Foshan, China in November 2002 and February 2003, with 8,000 confirmed cases and 7 70 deaths, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoVs) in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia (de Wit et al., 2016; Zhu et al., 2020). The lack of known SARS-CoV-2 treatment prompted this study to seek antiviral strategies using synergy of C. sativa, Artemisia afra, selected cannabinoids/cannabimimetric compounds from C. sativa. There are many chemovars of Cannabis plants that have wide range, and concentrations of phytocannabinoids and terpenes. The study will be conducted using C. sativa plants grown in Vereeneging, Gauteng Province in South Africa from December 2020 to December 2023.
5. Aims and Objectives
The aim of the study:
Investigate the synergistic impact of A. afra and C. Sativa against SARS-CoVs-2 and PIMS, and the removal of Δ9-THC from crude C. Sativa extracts using MIPS.
The objectives of the study are:
To carry out a rational screening of Cannabis sativa and Artemisia Afra crude extracts for the ability to directly, in vivo and in vitro, inhibit pathogens causing SARS-CoVs-2,
Investigate and develop a phytocannabinoid/cannabimimetic treatment as an Integrative Anti-inflammatory treatment for the control of the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in High-Risk SARS-CoVs-2 Patients
Investigate and develop a phytocannabinoid/cannabimimetic Integrative Anti-inflammatory treatment for the management of Pediatric Inflammatory Multi-System Syndrome (PIMS).
Characterize the isolated bioactive constituents, using adequate spectroscopic techniques such as GC-MS, HPLC-MS, 1H-NMR, FTIR, and UV.
5. Aims and Objectives
The aim of the study:
Investigate the synergistic impact of A. afra and C. Sativa against SARS-CoVs-2 and PIMS, and the removal of Δ9-THC from crude C. Sativa extracts using MIPS.
The objectives of the study are:
To carry out a rational screening of Cannabis sativa and Artemisia Afra crude extracts for the ability to directly, in vivo and in vitro, inhibit pathogens causing SARS-CoVs-2,
Investigate and develop a phytocannabinoid/cannabimimetic treatment as an Integrative Anti-inflammatory treatment for the control of the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in High-Risk SARS-CoVs-2 Patients
Investigate and develop a phytocannabinoid/cannabimimetic Integrative Anti-inflammatory treatment for the management of Pediatric Inflammatory Multi-System Syndrome (PIMS).
Characterize the isolated bioactive constituents, using adequate spectroscopic techniques such as GC-MS, HPLC-MS, 1H-NMR, FTIR, and UV.
Name of researcher/developer
Fanyana Mtunzi
Primary organisation
Vaal University of Technology
Opportunity type
Funding
Opportunity detail
Funding is required to support Masters, Phd and Post-doc students. The money will also be used to purchase chemicals and pay for analysis which includes testing of the efficacy of the raw and isolated compounds against Covid 19 and techniques like NMR for isolated compounds
Funding
No funding to date to undertake project
Stage of development
Research in progress
Research Category
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Complementary Medicine
Pharmaceuticals and Biopharmaceuticals
Treatment