Deciphering suppressive effects of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule on COVID-19 and synergistic effects of its major botanical drug pairs.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in excess deaths worldwide. Conventional antiviral medicines have been used to relieve the symptoms, with limited therapeutic effect. In contrast, Lianhua Qingwen Capsule is reported to exert remarkable anti-COVID-19 effect. The current review aims to: 1) uncover the main pharmacological actions of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule for managing COVID-19; 2) verify the bioactive ingredients and pharmacological actions of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule by network analysis; 3) investigate the compatibility effect of major botanical drug pairs in Lianhua Qingwen Capsule; and 4) clarify the clinical evidence and safety of the combined therapy of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule and conventional drugs. Numerous bioactive ingredients in Lianhu Qingwen, such as quercetin, naringenin, β-sitosterol, luteolin, and stigmasterol, were identified to target host cytokines, and to regulate the immune defence in response to COVID-19. Genes including androgen receptor (AR), myeloperoxidase (MPO), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin (INS), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) were found to be significantly involved in the pharmacological actions of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule against COVID-19. Four botanical drug pairs in Lianhua Qingwen Capsule were shown to have synergistic effect for the treatment of COVID-19. Clinical studies demonstrated the medicinal effect of the combined use of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule and conventional drugs against COVID-19. In conclusion, the four main pharmacological mechanisms of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule for managing COVID-19 are revealed. Therapeutic effect has been noted against COVID-19 in Lianhua Qingwen Capsule.

• Authors: Yuanyuan Chen, Cheng Zhang, Ning Wang, Yibin Feng
• Journal: Chinese journal of natural medicines (Chin J Nat Med) Vol. 21 Issue 5 Pg. 383-400 (May 2023) ISSN: 1875-5364 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 37245876 (Publication Type: Review, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Antiviral Agents

Topics

• Humans
• COVID-19
• Pandemics
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (therapeutic use)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• COVID-19 Drug Treatment