Traditional Chinese herbal medicine-potential therapeutic application for the treatment of COVID-19

Luchins

J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med

et al. 2021

Objectives and Setting. As the lethal COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, the need for effective modalities of alleviation remains urgent. This includes modalities that can readily be used by the public to reduce disease spread and severity. Such preventive measures and early-stage treatments may temper the immediacy of demand for advanced anti-COVID measures (drugs, antibodies, vaccines) and help relieve strain also on other health system resources. Design and Participants. We present results of a clinical study with a multi-component OTC “core formulation” regimen used in a multiply exposed adult population. Analysis of clinical outcome data from our sample of over 100 subjects − comprised of roughly equal sized regimen-compliant (test) and non-compliant (control) groups meeting equivalent inclusion criteria − demonstrates a strong statistical significance in favor of use of the core formulations. Results. While both groups were moderate in size, the difference between them in outcomes over the 20-week study period was large and stark: Just under 4% of the compliant test group presented flu-like symptoms, but none of the test group was COVID-positive; whereas 20% of the non-compliant control group presented flu-like symptoms, three-quarters of whom (15% overall of the control group) were COVID-positive. Conclusions. Offering a low cost, readily implemented anti-viral approach, the study regimen may serve, at the least, as a stopgap modality and, perhaps, as a useful tool in combatting the pandemic.

“…Such reports are currently available, presenting, for instance, Ayurvedic protocols and single-case studies 71 – 74 and traditional Chinese herbal approaches. 75 , 76 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

20-Week Study of Clinical Outcomes of Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Prophylaxis and Treatment

Luchins

J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med

et al. 2021

“…Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a medical system that has continued to develop over the past decades, also offers several preparations that can be used for managing COVID-19. TCM herbal medicine contains several herbs and the combinations have significant bioactivity and therapeutic potential [167,168]. The beneficial effects associated with the use of TCM can be attributed to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity [168].…”

Section: Regulation Of Pro-and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines Via Immunomodulatory Drugs and Immunotherapeuticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…TCM herbal medicine contains several herbs and the combinations have significant bioactivity and therapeutic potential [167,168]. The beneficial effects associated with the use of TCM can be attributed to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity [168]. In a retrospective cohort study conducted among 300 patients with COVID-19, the combined use of Western medicines and TCM was found to be associated with shorter hospital stays due to faster recovery [169].…”

Section: Regulation Of Pro-and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines Via Immunomodulatory Drugs and Immunotherapeuticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in COVID-19 Patients: A Review on Molecular Mechanisms, Immune Functions, Immunopathology and Immunomodulatory Drugs to Counter Cytokine Storm

et al. 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a severe pandemic of the current century. The vicious tentacles of the disease have been disseminated worldwide with unknown complications and repercussions. Advanced COVID-19 syndrome is characterized by the uncontrolled and elevated release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed immunity, leading to the cytokine storm. The uncontrolled and dysregulated secretion of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines is positively associated with the severity of the viral infection and mortality rate. The secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 leads to a hyperinflammatory response by recruiting macrophages, T and B cells in the lung alveolar cells. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that immune cells such as macrophages recruit inflammatory monocytes in the alveolar cells and allow the production of large amounts of cytokines in the alveoli, leading to a hyperinflammatory response in severely ill patients with COVID-19. This cascade of events may lead to multiple organ failure, acute respiratory distress, or pneumonia. Although the disease has a higher survival rate than other chronic diseases, the incidence of complications in the geriatric population are considerably high, with more systemic complications. This review sheds light on the pivotal roles played by various inflammatory markers in COVID-19-related complications. Different molecular pathways, such as the activation of JAK and JAK/STAT signaling are crucial in the progression of cytokine storm; hence, various mechanisms, immunological pathways, and functions of cytokines and other inflammatory markers have been discussed. A thorough understanding of cytokines’ molecular pathways and their activation procedures will add more insight into understanding immunopathology and designing appropriate drugs, therapies, and control measures to counter COVID-19. Recently, anti-inflammatory drugs and several antiviral drugs have been reported as effective therapeutic drug candidates to control hypercytokinemia or cytokine storm. Hence, the present review also discussed prospective anti-inflammatory and relevant immunomodulatory drugs currently in various trial phases and their possible implications.

“…In addition, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a branch of the medical system that can offer several concoctions/preparations containing rare herbal ingredients, has provided a few preparations possessing significant bioactivity that can be used for treating COVID-19 [134,135]. The major biological activities exhibited by TCM preparations such as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, can be utilized for treating patients with COVID-19 [135]. Monotherapy using TCM is not advised as they are mostly beneficial in the role of supportive agents.…”

Section: Immunomodulatory and Immunotherapeutic Approaches To Counter Cytokine Stormmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diverse Immunological Factors Influencing Pathogenesis in Patients with COVID-19: A Review on Viral Dissemination, Immunotherapeutic Options to Counter Cytokine Storm and Inflammatory Responses

et al. 2021

The pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still not fully unraveled. Though preventive vaccines and treatment methods are out on the market, a specific cure for the disease has not been discovered. Recent investigations and research studies primarily focus on the immunopathology of the disease. A healthy immune system responds immediately after viral entry, causing immediate viral annihilation and recovery. However, an impaired immune system causes extensive systemic damage due to an unregulated immune response characterized by the hypersecretion of chemokines and cytokines. The elevated levels of cytokine or hypercytokinemia leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) along with multiple organ damage. Moreover, the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 has been linked with race, gender, and age; hence, this viral infection’s outcome differs among the patients. Many therapeutic strategies focusing on immunomodulation have been tested out to assuage the cytokine storm in patients with severe COVID-19. A thorough understanding of the diverse signaling pathways triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is essential before contemplating relief measures. This present review explains the interrelationships of hyperinflammatory response or cytokine storm with organ damage and the disease severity. Furthermore, we have thrown light on the diverse mechanisms and risk factors that influence pathogenesis and the molecular pathways that lead to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and multiple organ damage. Recognition of altered pathways of a dysregulated immune system can be a loophole to identify potential target markers. Identifying biomarkers in the dysregulated pathway can aid in better clinical management for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. A special focus has also been given to potent inhibitors of proinflammatory cytokines, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic options to ameliorate cytokine storm and inflammatory responses in patients affected with COVID-19.