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Review
. 2021 Feb;43(1):35-45.
doi: 10.1007/s11096-020-01153-7. Epub 2020 Sep 24.

The therapeutic effects of traditional chinese medicine on COVID-19: a narrative review

Can Wang  1 , Shusen Sun  2   3   4 , Xuansheng Ding  5
Affiliations
Review

The therapeutic effects of traditional chinese medicine on COVID-19: a narrative review

Can Wang et al. Int J Clin Pharm. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Background The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new, highly infective virus. In the absence of specific vaccines and antiviral drugs, the China National Health Commission has released a series of COVID-19 treatment guidelines, which include symptomatic treatment, antiviral treatment, and traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). Aim of the review To analyze and summarize the role of TCMs in the treatment of COVID-19. Methods Relevant studies on TCMs related to the study aim were undertaken through a literature search to synthesize the extracted data. Results The China National Health Commission guidelines recommend 15 oral and injectable TCMs for COVID-19. Studies on TCMs have demonstrated that these compounds possess broad-spectrum antiviral and antibacterial properties, and they have certain advantages in the treatment of viral pneumonia and other emergent infectious diseases. Many TCMs also have potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Treatment based on syndrome differentiation is one of the significant features in TCM. TCM compounds contain a variety of active ingredients that have proven multi-target effects, making it difficult for viruses to develop drug resistance. A variety of clinical pathways are involved in the actions of these TCMs. These properties allow TCMs to be used in the treatment of COVID-19. Conclusion TCMs have been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19 in China. The unique properties of TCM compounds allow TCMs to have a role in the management of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Chinese medicine; Coronavirus; Diagnosis; Traditional chinese medicine (TCM); Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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