Tabriz University of Medical Sciences BioImpacts 2228-5652 12 2 2022 02 06 Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and COVID-19 171 174 10.34172/bi.2022.23980 EN Danial Mehranfard https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0867-2322 Robert C. Speth https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6434-2136 Journal Article 10.34172/bi.2022.23980 2021 08 02 2021 09 28 The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) first described by Wang et al, 2003 has contemporary interest arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. While tobacco smoking has been considered an aggravating factor in the severity of COVID-19 infections, it has been suggested by some that the nicotine derived from tobacco could lessen the severity of COVID-19 infections. This spotlight briefly describes the CAP and its potential role as a therapeutic target for the treatment of COVID-19 infections using vagus nerve stimulation or selective alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists.