Reflections on treatment of COVID-19 with traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is spreading rapidly around the globe. By the establishment of an integrative system combining both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine, China has achieved good clinical efficacy in the prevention and control of the pandemic. The advantages of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 include effective relief of symptoms, retarding the development from mild and moderate to severe, improvement of cure rate, reducing death rates, and promotion of rehabilitation. Besides, according to the different severity levels of individual cases, the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China issued treatment guidelines that provide corresponding prescriptions for patients. From the perspective of TCM, this review aims to analyze the role of a variety of TCM prescriptions in the treatment of COVID-19, focusing on the analysis of the "Three TCM prescriptions and three medicines" recommended by the Chinese authorities during the pandemic. We expect that this review will provide insights into the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 with TCM.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the treatment of COVID-19 and other viral infections: Efficacies and mechanisms

“…During the fight against COVID-19 in China, TCM has been officially added to the 3rd-8th editions of the diagnosis and treatment guideline issued by the National Health Commission, China ( Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (Trial Version 7), 2020 ; NHC, 2020 ). According to the collective analyses from The State Council Information Office, China, three TCM decoctions and 3 formulated Chinese medicines (referred to as the “six most effective recipes” for the rest of the review) have been shown to be most effective in TCM treatments of COVID-19 patients in China ( Luo et al, 2020 ).…”

A Retrospective Study on the Use of Chinese Patent Medicine in 24 Medical Institutions for COVID-19 in China

“…Pharmacology experiments found that ( Wang et al, 2020a ) Chinese patent medicine showed a direct antiviral effect, could improve the inflammation caused by a virus infection, and have the function of the two-way adjusting the immune system. Furthermore, it can also impede or delay cytokine storm through the immunoregulation and anti-inflammatory action ( Luo et al, 2020 ) and can suppress the occurrence or development of pulmonary fibrosis effectively. Huoxiang Zhengqi relieves symptoms through anti-inflammatory effects.…”

“…Twelve Chinese patent medicines are recommended for use in different stages of COVID-19 in the “seventh Trial Version of the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19” ( National Health Commission National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2020 ). Some studies have shown that Chinese patent medicines can significantly reduce the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and play their pharmacological role in various mechanisms ( Wang et al, 2020b ; Zhang et al, 2020b ).…”

Chinese Medicine in Fighting against Covid-19: Role and Inspiration

“…(18) Huashi Baidu Prescription, a newly developed prescription by CM experts team led by Academician HUANG Lu-qi, exhibited impressive effect on improving symptom and chest CT manifestation, shortening time of full recovery and hospital stay. (19) Qingfei Paidu Decoction, comprising four classic CM prescriptions, was formulated by Prof. GE You-wen and has demonstrated remarkable healing effects in clinical practice. (20,21) Meta-analysis of 18 small randomized trials of these CM herbal or patent medicine for Covid-19 found that the addition of CM to usual care could improve symptoms and manifestation of chest CT, increase clinical cure rate and decrease C-reactive protein levels.…”