Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Influenza: From Basic Science to Clinical Applications
Xiong Y, Li NX, Duan N, Liu B, Zhu H, Zhang C, Li L, Lu C, Huang L · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2020 September 15
DOI 10.3389/fphar.2020.575803
Objective
To highlight the effects of TCM in the clinical treatment of influenza and their impact on inhibiting the growth of this virus in laboratory experiments.
Conclusions
TCM impacts on the prevention and treatment of influenza. It has a potential value in shorting fever durations and alleviating influenza symptoms among children and pregnant women. However, the side effects of TCM in children and pregnant women are still elusive, which needs more clinical trials about the safety and vivo toxicity. These medicines also regulate the immune system. Their modes of action involve inhibiting NA, viral replication, and stopping viral entry into the cell. The synergistic effects of TCM and conventional medicines are encouraging as an avenue for influenza therapy.
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Insights
Traditional Chinese medicine impacts on the prevention and treatment of influenza with potential value in shorting fever durations and alleviating influenza symptoms among children and pregnant women.
Influenza infection is a highly contagious, acute febrile respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has dominated plenty of theoretical and practical approaches in the treatment of influenza. It is, therefore, important to highlight the effects of TCM in the clinical treatment of influenza and their impact on inhibiting the growth of this virus in laboratory experiments. We scrutinized existing evidence on whether TCM is effective in clinical applications. Moreover, we described the potential mechanisms of TCM against the influenza virus. Our findings provide analytical evidence that supports the effectiveness of TCM in treating influenza infections as well as their mechanisms against this virus.
