Pharmacological Efficacy of Ginseng against Respiratory Tract Infections

Abstract

Respiratory tract infections are underestimated, as they are mild and generally not incapacitating. In clinical medicine, however, these infections are considered a prevalent problem. By 2030, the third most comprehensive reason for death worldwide will be chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the World Health Organization. The current arsenal of anti-inflammatory drugs shows little or no benefits against COPD. For thousands of years, herbal drugs have been used to cure numerous illnesses; they exhibit promising results and enhance physical performance. Ginseng is one such herbal medicine, known to alleviate pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8) formed by macrophages and epithelial cells. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of ginsenoside are still not fully understood. Various clinical trials of ginseng have exhibited a reduction of repeated colds and the flu. In this review, ginseng’s structural features, the pathogenicity of microbial infections, and the immunomodulatory, antiviral, and anti-bacterial effects of ginseng were discussed. The focus was on the latest animal studies and human clinical trials that corroborate ginseng’s role as a therapy for treating respiratory tract infections. The article concluded with future directions and significant challenges. This review would be a valuable addition to the knowledge base for researchers in understanding the promising role of ginseng in treating respiratory tract infections. Further analysis needs to be re-focused on clinical trials to study ginseng’s efficacy and safety in treating pathogenic infections and in determining ginseng-drug interactions.

Pharmacological Efficacy of Tamarix aphylla: A Comprehensive Review

“…Herbal therapy has been used to treat various ailments since ancient times, including chronic inflammatory diseases. Medicinal plants contain anti-inflammatory properties and have limited or no adverse effects [ 3 ]. T. aphylla is generally safe and harmless to humans.…”

“…Currently, available medicines are distinctions or reproductions of constituents, combinations, and dilutions that exist in nature [ 2 ]. People’s interest in herbal medicines is currently increasing due to fewer or no side-effects [ 3 ]. Despite the minimal risk of adverse effects, the possibility of a medication interaction cannot be rejected.…”

Pharmacological Efficacy of Probiotics in Respiratory Viral Infections: A Comprehensive Review

“…IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine in the human immune response [ 80 , 81 ]. IL-10 was initially identified as a T-helper type 2 (Th2) cell product that suppressed cytokine generation in Th1 cells [ 82 , 83 ]. Additionally, probiotics may inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by interfering with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways [ 84 , 85 ].…”

Chemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots

“…than Gramnegative bacteria and concluded that environmental conditions affect the chemical and biological properties for G. glabra roots extracts. On the other hand, at last decades many studies described G. glabra as a potential medicinal compound for many purposes such as cure pulmonary inflammation treatment, Anticancer, antioxidant, liver disease treatment [32,33].…”