Current status of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 in China

Abstract

An ongoing outbreak of severe respiratory illness and pneumonia caused by the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) commenced in December 2019, and the disease was named as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Soon after, scientists identified the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, including its genome sequence and protein structure. The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 have now been established; and nucleic acid amplification is used for the direct determination of the virus, whereas immunoassays can determine the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Clinical trials of several antiviral drugs are ongoing. However, there is still no specific drugs to treat COVID-19. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was used in the treatment of COVID-19 during the early stages of the outbreak in China. Some ancient TCM prescriptions, which were efficacious in the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002–03 and the influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009, have been improved by experienced TCM practitioners for the treatment of COVID-19 based on their clinical symptoms. These developed new prescriptions include Lianhua Qingwen capsules/granules, Jinhua Qinggan granules and XueBiJing injection, among others. In this review, we have summarized the presenting features of SARS-CoV-2, the clinical characteristics of COVID-19, and the progress in the treatment of COVID-19 using TCMs.

Prevalence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Different Clinical Stages before the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…These practices are also applied in managing Stage 2 and Stage 3 COVID-19 patients in Malaysia. Compared to other countries such as China, the application of traditional Chinese medicine or Chinese herbal medicine such as Lianhua Qingwen and Jinhua Qinggan has also been widely studied and proven effective in treating and managing mild to moderate cases [ 40 , 41 ]. An artificial intelligence platform called “IDentif.AI” that can identify effective drug combinations that include a range of antivirals and cancer drugs to treat patients with mild to moderate disease was made available [ 42 , 43 ].…”

“…More facilities and equipment such as ICU and mechanical ventilators should be readily prepared for Stage 4 and Stage 5 patients. Traditional Chinese medicine therapies which have been reported to be effective against severe COVID-19 disease could be recommended as an alternative therapy for some of the COVID-19 patients in the country to reduce their clinical symptoms [ 40 , 41 ]. Regular COVID-19 disease screening among high-risk communities such as old folks’ homes and dialysis centres should be given attention.…”

Identification of phytocompounds as newer antiviral drugs against COVID-19 through molecular docking and simulation based study

“…In this present study, we have selected Mpro and spike protein (RBD) as drug targets, because both of them are essential for viral entry and replication. Case studies reported effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicines in the containment and prevention of COVID-19 infection in China [ 9 ]. Indian medicinal plants are also well known for their medicinal properties.…”

Integrated analysis of the chemical-material basis and molecular mechanisms for the classic herbal formula of Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction in alleviating depression

“…Currently, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still spreading and has led to an unprecedented health crisis worldwide [ 24 ]. In response to this pandemic, the Chinese government proposes that integrated TCM and WM (also known as integrated medicine) can be applied to treat pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV2 [ 25 ]. In fact, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of the present COVID-19 situation in China could not be separated from the extensive participation of TCM, which has proven effective for SARS-CoV-2 by clinical and laboratory studies [ 7 , 26 – 28 ].…”