Which East Asian herbal medicines can decrease viral infections?

Introduction In the light of the ongoing corona and influenza virus public health crisis, traditional East Asian herbal medicines with anti-viral activities might be an option in therapy.

Methods Literature research on anti-viral effects of traditional East Asian medicine was performed.

Results In patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection, treatment with Andrographis paniculata (Jap. Senshinren) extract resulted in 53% of improvement compared with placebo. When 158 common cold patients took 1.2 g of dried extract of A. paniculata for 5 days, nasal secretion, sore throat and sleep disorder were improved [1]. Ding Y et al. [2] demonstrated that mice infected with influenza A and treated with extract of A. paniculata improved body weight, lung function and showed reduced inflammation.

In Japan, Kampo prescriptions like Maoto as well as its variant Maoto-ka-senshinren ([Tab. 1]), were examined for anti-viral activity [3] [4]. Nabeshima et al. [5] investigated Maoto for the treatment of influenza in a randomized trial in comparison with oseltamivir and zanamivir. No significant differences for total symptom score and no severe adverse events were found. In A549 cells infected with influenza A virus that were treated with Maoto, the virus titre in the supernatant, intracellular viral proteins and viral RNA were significantly reduced. Maoto also inhibited the uncoating of the influenza virus [6].

Tab. 1 Maoto-ka-senshinren

Andrographitis herba	4 g
Ephedrae herba	4 g
Armeniacae semen	4 g
Cinnamomi cortex	3 g
Glycyrrhizae radix	2 g

Conclusion In Japan, Maoto is regarded as a suitable medication for influenza. Maoto-ka-senshinren ([Tab. 1]) may present a promising therapy option for influenza and potentially COVID-19.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
13. Juni 2022

• References

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• 5 Nabeshima S. et al. J Infect Chemother 2012; 18: 534-543
• 6 Masui S. et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2017; 2017: 1062065