Add-on effect of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Du X, Shi L, Cao W, Zuo B, Zhou A · PLOS One · 2021 August 20

Objective

This review was designed to evaluate the add-on effect of CHM in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19.

Conclusions

Chinese herbal medicine combined with conventional therapy may be effective and safe in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. More high-quality RCTs are needed in the future.

Critical Appraisal

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Insights

Chinese herbal medicine combined with conventional therapy may be effective and safe in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19.

Twelve eligible RCTs including 1393 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Our meta-analyses found that lung CT parameters and the clinical cure rate of Chinese herbal medicine combined with conventional therapy in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 were better than those of conventional therapy. The rate of conversion to severe cases, TCM symptom score of fever, cough cases, TCM symptom score of cough, TCM symptom score of fatigue, and CRP of combination therapy was significantly lower than that of conventional therapy. The WBC count was significantly higher than that of conventional therapy. Our meta-analysis results were robust through sensitivity analysis.