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Review
. 2021 Nov;11(11):3337-3363.
doi: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.09.008. Epub 2021 Sep 20.

Traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19

Ming Lyu  1   2 , Guanwei Fan  3 , Guangxu Xiao  1 , Taiyi Wang  4 , Dong Xu  1 , Jie Gao  5 , Shaoqin Ge  5 , Qingling Li  6 , Yuling Ma  4 , Han Zhang  1 , Jigang Wang  2 , Yuanlu Cui  1 , Junhua Zhang  1 , Yan Zhu  1 , Boli Zhang  1
Affiliations
Review

Traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19

Ming Lyu et al. Acta Pharm Sin B. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread across the globe, posing an enormous threat to public health and safety. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in combination with Western medicine (WM), has made important and lasting contributions in the battle against COVID-19. In this review, updated clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM, presented in newly recognized three distinct phases of the disease, are summarized and discussed. By integrating the available clinical and preclinical evidence, the efficacies and underlying mechanisms of TCM on COVID-19, including the highly recommended three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas, are described in a panorama. We hope that this comprehensive review not only provides a reference for health care professionals and the public to recognize the significant contributions of TCM for COVID-19, but also serves as an evidence-based in-depth summary and analysis to facilitate understanding the true scientific value of TCM.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical evidence; Cytokine storm; Multiple organ dysfunction; Potential mechanism; SARS-CoV-2; Traditional Chinese medicine; Viral infection.

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Figures

Image 1
Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
The recommended Chinese patent medicines or Chinese medicine formulas for distinct stages of COVID-19 treatment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representative herbs and their main active ingredients and functions for COVID-19. (A) The herb-ingredient-target-function network of frequently used herbs and their main ingredients, as well as their key targets and functions for COVID-19. (B) The chemical structures of main active ingredients and their main functions of commonly used herbs for COVID-19.
Figure 3
Figure 3
An overview of pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the potential mechanisms of TCM remedy in distinct disease stages.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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