How Chinese Herbal Medicine Prevents Epidemics: From Ancient Pestilences to COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Xia-Qiu Wu ◽  
Wei-Na Zhang ◽  
Ming-Zhao Hao ◽  
Xi-Ping Liu ◽  
Jing Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Patent Medicines ◽  
Chinese Herbal ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Chinese Patent ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Prevention Methods

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic calls for effective control and prevention. Chinese medicine (CM) has developed systematic theories and approaches for infectious disease prevention over 2000 years. Here, we review and analyze Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) used in infectious disease prevention from ancient pestilences to modern epidemics and pandemics to share cumulative preventive medical experience. A total of 829 formulas, including 329 herbs from 189 ancient books, 131 formulas with 152 herbs, and 13 Chinese patent medicines (CPM) from 30 official Chinese prevention programs used in ancient epidemics, SARS, influenza and COVID-19 prevention, were reviewed and analyzed. Preventive CHM mainly has four functions and can be taken orally or applied externally. CHM that kill pathogens (Realgar [Xionghuang], Cyrtomium Fortunei J. Sm[Guanzhong]) were commonly used externally for disinfection in ancient prevention while CHM tonifying Qi (Astragali Radix [Huangq], Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [Gancao]) are used for modern prevention. Taking CHM that expel pathogens (Realgar [Xionghuang], Lonicerae Japonicae Flos[Jinyinhua]) and CHM eliminating dampness (Atractylodis Rhizoma [Cangzhu], Pogostemonis Herba[Guanghuoxiang]) have been commonly used from ancient times to COVID-19. Damp toxins are a common characteristic of infectious diseases such as SARS and COVID-19. Thus, taking CHM expelling damp toxins and tonifying Qi are the main methods for SARS and COVID-19 prevention. CHM with different approaches have been widely used in infectious disease prevention from ancient times to the present. Multiple CM prevention methods may provide new perspectives for future pandemics.

scholarly journals Herbal Medicine as an Alternative Method to Treat and Prevent COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Mohammed Kadhom ◽  
Ahmed Nadhmi Al-Doori ◽  
Dina S. Ahmed ◽  
Emad Yousif
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Chinese Herbal ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Current Outbreak ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Prevention Methods

Background: The current outbreak of the serious respiratory syndrome disease COVID-19 has resulted from a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).  This infectious disease was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) because it is threatening public health and life worldwide. Recently, restrictions in many countries are applied to detect the infected individuals and isolate them, in addition to attempts to find appropriate treatments that can help decrease the severe symptoms of the disease. Regardless of the conduced efforts, the number of reported cases of coronavirus infections is still growing up. Yet, no medication or vaccine was approved to prevent and/or treat people from this coronavirus, though many researches from academic groups and medication companies are still ongoing. Objective: This review aims to summarize the possible herbs and plants from the natural herbal medicine along with western medicine, which could assist treat or protect people from COVID-19. Understanding the infection rules, clarifying the pathogenic mechanisms, and detecting the appropriate medication treatment could improve the development of the essential treatment and prevention methods.  Conclusion: Since the finally-approved drug for this virus is still absent and a sharp increase in infection numbers is taking place, it became urgent to present possible alternatives, such as the Chinese herbal medicines, in a trail to cure SARS-CoV-2.

Chinese Herbal Medicines for Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis in Preventing Deep Venous Thrombosis after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hetao Huang ◽  
Jianke Pan ◽  
Yanhong Han ◽  
Lingfeng Zeng ◽  
Guihong Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽  
Hip Arthroplasty ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Blood Circulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Blood Stasis ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Chinese Herbal

Aim and Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis (PBCRBSM) in preventing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Materials and Methods: The Databases were searched for studies comparing the preventive abilities of PBCRBSM and Western medicine, such as low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), rivaroxaban, and aspirin, as well as for randomized controlled trials on DVT after THA. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 3254 randomized controlled trials were included, including 1630 cases in the experimental group and 1624 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis showed that compared with Western medicine, PBCRBSM reduced the incidence of DVT (OR=0.38, 95% CI [0.30, 0.48], P < 0.001); prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (SMD=0.44, 95% CI [0.35, 0.53], P < 0.001); reduced D-dimer (SMD=-0.75, 95% CI [-0.84，-0.65], P < 0.001), FIB (SMD=-0.61, 95% CI [-0.72, -0.50], P < 0.001), blood viscosity (P<0.01), circumference difference in lower extremities (P<0.01), venous blood flow velocity (SMD=0.97, 95% CI [0.77, 1.16], P < 0.001), and drainage volume (SMD=-1.53, 95% CI [-1.71, -1.35], P < 0.001); and reduced adverse reactions (OR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.19, 0.56], P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in prolonging prothrombin time (PT) between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine (SMD = 0.07, 95% CI [-0.0.01). 3, 0.16], P > 0.05. Conclusion: PBCRBSM is an effective method for preventing DVT after THA and has fewer adverse effects.

Analysis of Chinese herbal formulae recommended for COVID-19 in different schemes in China: A data mining Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
LiWei Yin ◽  
YaCen Gao ◽  
ZiPing Li ◽  
MengYu Wang ◽  
KaiXin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Chinese Herbs ◽  
Recovery Stage ◽  
Prescription Pattern ◽  
Middle Stage ◽  
Chinese Herbal ◽  
Severe Stage ◽  
Herbal Formulae

Background: Novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP), or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a worldwide health threat that has affected millions of people globally. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been introduced for the treatment of COVID-19. However, efficacy differs among herbal medicines, and the ideal prescription pattern for TCM herbal formulae for COVID-19 treatment needs to be explored. Therefore, the data mining method has been used in this study to analyze the TCM prescription pattern for COVID-19. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the TCM prescription pattern in Regional Schemes in China for COVID-19 in order to provide a new reference for the use of TCM in COVID-19 treatment. Method: By searching the TCM treatment protocols of COVID-19 in 23 Regional Schemes, TCM syndromes and herbal medicines were analyzed by data mining. The Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.1 personal Edition) was used to perform frequency statistics, correlation analysis, and cluster analysis. A total of 82 TCM syndromes and 171 Chinese herbal medicines were found. The course of the disease can be divided into the early stage, middle stage, severe stage, and recovery stage. Results: In the early stage, the focus is primarily on resolving dampness, dispelling cold, and diffusing the lungs. In the middle stage, the treatment priority is clearing heat and resolving toxins, promoting lung function, and relieving asthma. In the severe stage, the focus is on tonifying Qi, restoring Yang, and relieving depletion of Yin and Yang. In the recovery stage, the main treatment is to invigorate the spleen and regulate Qi, tonify Qi, nourish Yin, and clear residual disease evil. There are certain differences between the Regional Schemes and the Nation Schemes, but the core prescription pattern of the former is consistent with the latter. The effectiveness of these 171 Chinese herbs include but are not limited to inhibiting COVID-19, strengthening immune system function, preventing heart failure, acting as antioxidants, oxidative stress inhibitory effects, maintaining organ function, and improving leukocyte survival. Conclusion: This study may help to improve understanding of TCM herbal prescription pattern, practices, reveal the efficacy of combinations of Chinese herbs, and provide new ideas for TCM treatment for COVID-19.

Nano Phytomedicine Based Delivery System for CNS Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 661-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Asadullah Jahangir ◽  
Chettupalli Anand ◽  
Abdul Muheem ◽  
Sadaf Jamal Gilani ◽  
Mohamad Taleuzzaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Herbal Drugs ◽  
Widespread Acceptance ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Plant Sources ◽  
Herbal Formulations

Herbal medicines are being used since ancient times and are an important part of the alternative and traditional medicinal system. In recent decades, scientists are embracing herbal medicines based on the fact that a number of drugs that are currently in use are derived directly or indirectly from plant sources. Moreover, herbal drugs have lesser side effects, albeit are potentially strong therapeutic agents. The herbal medicine market is estimated to be around US $62 billion globally. Herbal medicine has gained widespread acceptance due to its low toxicity, low cost, ease of accessibility and efficacy in treating difficult diseases. Safety and efficacy are another important factors in the commercialization process of herbal medicines. Nanotechnology has been shown to be potentially effective in improving the bioactivity and bioavailability of herbal medicines. Development of nano-phytomedicines (or by reducing the size of phytomedicine), attaching polymers with phytomedicines and modifying the surface properties of herbal drugs, have increased the solubility, permeability and eventually the bioavailability of herbal formulations. Novel formulations such as niosomes, liposomes, nanospheres, phytosomes etc., can be exploited in this area. This article reviews herbal medicines, which have prominent activity in the Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders and reported nano-phytomedicines based delivery systems.

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