COVID-19 Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products.

Despite the fact that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment and management are now considerably regulated, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still one of the leading causes of death in 2022. The availability of COVID-19 vaccines, FDA-approved antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies in low-income countries still poses an issue to be addressed. Natural products, particularly traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and medicinal plant extracts (or their active component), have challenged the dominance of drug repurposing and synthetic compound libraries in COVID-19 therapeutics. Their abundant resources and excellent antiviral performance make natural products a relatively cheap and readily available alternative for COVID-19 therapeutics. Here, we deliberately review the anti-SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of the natural products, their potency (pharmacological profiles), and application strategies for COVID-19 intervention. In light of their advantages, this review is intended to acknowledge the potential of natural products as COVID-19 therapeutic candidates.

Clinical study of qingke pingchuan granules in treatment of light and common type of novel Coronavirus infection

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Qingke Pingchuan Granules in treatment of light and common type of novel coronavirus infection(phlegm heat stagnating lung syndrome). Methods Sixty patients with novel coronavirus infection(phlegm heat stagnating lung syndrome) hospitalized in the Novel Coronavirus Unit of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from March 2022to June 2022 were selected and divided into control group and treatment group according to different therapeutic drugs, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were given conventional treatment. Patients in the treatment group were po administered with Qingke Pingchuan Granules on the basis of conventional treatment, 10 g/time, 3 times daily. The efficacy of TCM syndromes, inflammatory indexes and adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment. Results After treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group(86.7%) was significantly higher than that in the control group(66.7%)(P < 0.05). After treatment, daytime and nighttime cough scores in 2 groups were lower than before treatment(P < 0.05), and daytime and nighttime cough scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of peripheral blood leukocytes and procalcitonin between the two groups before and after treatment. After treatment, the level of C-reactive protein(CRP) in the two groups was significantly lower than that before treatment(P < 0.05), and the CRP level in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Conclusion Qingke Pingchuan Granules has good clinical efficacy in treatment of light and common type of novel coronavirus infection(phlegm heat stagnating lung syndrome), and can relieve the clinical symptoms of patients, which has good safety.

Fu-Zheng-Xuan-Fei formula promotes macrophage polarization and Th17/Treg cell homeostasis against the influenza B virus (Victoria strain) infection.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fu-Zheng-Xuan-Fei formula (FF) is a prescription that has been clinically used through the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating viral pneumonia. Although FF possesses a prominent clinical therapeutic effect, seldom pharmacological studies have been reported on its anti-influenza B virus (IBV) activity. AIM OF THE STUDY: Influenza is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, which has high annual morbidity and mortality worldwide. With a global decline in the COVID-19 control, the infection rate of influenza virus is gradually increasing. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop novel drugs for the effective treatment of influenza virus. Apart from conventional antiviral drugs, TCM has been widely used in the clinical treatment of influenza in China. Therefore, studying the antiviral mechanism of TCM can facilitate the scientific development of TCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) and BALB/c mice were infected with IBV, and FF was added to evaluate the anti-IBV effects of FF both in vitro and in vivo by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and pathological assessment. RESULTS: It was found that FF exhibited anti-viral activity against IBV infection both in vivo and in vitro, while inducing macrophage activation and promoting M1 macrophage polarization. In addition, FF effectively regulated the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway-mediated Th17/Treg balance to improve the lung tissue damage caused by IBV infection-induced inflammation. The findings provided the scientific basis for the antiviral mechanism of FF against IBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that FF is a potentially effective antiviral drug against IBV infection.

Screening of Inhibitors Against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Few-Shot Machine Learning and Molecule Docking Based Drug Repurposing.

AIM: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive disorder and is diagnosed as post-COVID fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has no effective treatment because of the low therapeutic effects and side effects of currently available drugs. INTRODUCTION: The aim is to screen new inhibitors against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from traditional Chinese medicines. METHODS: Few-shot-based machine learning and molecule docking were used to predict the potential activities of candidates and calculate the ligand-receptor interactions. In vitro A549 cell model was taken to verify the effects of the selected leads on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A logistic regression classifier model with an accuracy of 0.82 was built and, combined with molecule docking, used to predict the activities of candidates. 6 leads were finally screened out and 5 of them were in vitro experimentally verified as effective inhibitors against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Herbacetin, morusin, swertiamarin, vicenin-2, and vitexin were active inhibitors against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Swertiamarin exhibited the highest anti-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis effect and should be further in vivo investigated for its activity.

Network pharmacological mechanism of Runfei Ningshen Decoction in the treatment of insomnia caused by COVID-19

Objective: To study the mechanism of Runfei Ningshen Decoction in the treatment of insomnia caused by corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19) by using network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. Methods: The chemical components and targets of Chinese medicinal materials of Runfei Ningshen Decoction in TCMSP, Batman, and CTD databases were searched. The relevant targets of novel coronavirus pneumonia and insomnia in Disgenet, GeneCards, CTD, and Malacards databases were searched. The component-target-disease network was established by using Cytoscape 3.2.1 software;The protein-protein intereation(PPI) network was constructed in string database. The common targets were enriched by using Cluster Profiler software package in R language software platform. The molecular docking of core targets related to insomnia caused by COVID-19 was carried out by using Discovery Studio 4.0 software. Results: 349 medicinal ingredients in Runfei Ningshen Decoction, 1 904 targets, 1 505 new coronavirus pneumonia-related targets, and 1 337 insomnia-related targets were collected. When the intersection of Venn diagrams were used, 404 common targets were obtained for the 2 diseases. 250 targets were intersected with the 2 diseases, and 33 core targets were screened out by the analysis of the interaction network between targets. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that Runfei Ningshen Decoction mainly acts on AKT1, INS, TP53, IL-6, key targets such as AKT1, INS, TP53, IL-6, JUN, CASP3, TNF, CAT, PTGS2 and CXCL8, which are involved in the important pathway processes such as human cytomegalovirus infection, fluid shear stress, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways in complications of atherosclerosis and diabetes. The results of molecular docking showed that the core target has a high affinity with beta-sitosterol, 1-methoxy phaseolin, 3'-hydroxy-4'-O-methylglycyrrhizin, and anhydroicariin. The prescription treatment of insomnia caused by COVID-19 may be through the targets such as PTGS2, AR, PPARG, NOS2, HSP90 AA1 and so on. Conclusion: Runfei Ningshen Decoction can treat insomnia caused by COVID-19 by inhibiting IL-6 and TNF-a.

A case of a 107-year-old elderly COVID-19 patient infected with omicron variant BA.5.1.3 in Hainan

Objective This article summarizes the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment experience of an elderly patient infected with Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 of COVID-19 in Hainan Province. Methods The clinical data and treatment of an elderly patient infected with Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 of COVID-19 admitted to Haikou designated hospital on August 15, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Results A 107-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with "fever and cough for 1 day". Two of her family members have infected with COVID-19. The patient initially developed fever, accompanied by cough, expectoration, a little white sticky sputum, accompanied by sore throat, muscle pain, fatigue. Nucleic acid test was positive in throat swab, indicating Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 infection. The patient was diagnosed as mild COVID-19 and treated with antiviral therapy, Chinese medicine conditioning, anticoagulation, electrolyte disorder regulation and symptomatic treatment for 9 days. The patient's clinical symptoms were relieved, and she was cured and discharged after two negative nucleic acid tests. One week later, the patient recovered well. Conclusions Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 is highly infectious, and comprehensive treatment such as antiviral treatment and traditional Chinese medicine treatment has achieved good efficacy. For elderly patients, attention should be paid to maintaining the stability of organ function and internal environment, which is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients.

Study on the effect of Xuanfei Jiere Granules in the treatment of COVID-19 by network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of Xuanfei Jiere Granules in the treatment of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complicated with fever. Methods: The effective components of Xuanfei Jiere Granules were screened by Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and the potential target genes were predicted. The disease targets of COVID-19 complicated with fever were searched by GeneCards and CTD databases, and the common targets were obtained, and then introduced into Cytoscape to construct the "component-target-disease" network. The above 2 common targets were input into the online database of STRING protein interaction, and the results were imported into Cytoscape software to obtain Protein-Protein Interaction(PPI) network;R language was used to analyze the common targets with Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis. Results: 84 active components and 82 targets were obtained. The pathway enrichment analysis showed that Xuanfei Jiere Granules mainly acted on protein kinase B(AKT1), tumor protein P53(TP53), interleukin-6(IL6) and other key targets in the treatment of COVID-19 complicated with fever. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the action was mainly related to the influence of fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, human cytomegalovirus infection, and AGE-RAGE in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The results of molecular docking showed that the core target had strong affinity with beta-sitosterol, formononetin, N-trans ferulyl tyramine and so on. Conclusion: This study preliminarily verified that Xuanfei Jiere Granules can play a role in the treatment of COVID-19 complicated with fever through multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways.

Discussion on the mechanism of Xiyanping injection in the treatment of human coronavirus infection based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Xiyanping injection in the treatment of human coronavirus infection based on network pharmacology and molecular docking method. Methods: The active components and targets of Xiyanping injection were screened by CNKI, SwissTarget Prediction and Targetnet. The Human Gene Database (Genecards), Online Human Mendelian Inheritance Database (OMIM) and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD) were searched to predict disease targets. Venny 2.1.0, Cytoscape 3.8.2 and STRING11.5 were used to construct "drug target-disease target Venn diagram", "drug-active ingredient-target-disease network" and "protein interaction network". The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and Bioinformatics, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used for the enrichment analysis and visualization. Finally, molecular docking was performed by AutoDock Vina and PyMOL. Results: The active ingredient of Xiyanping injection was andrographolide, andrographolide had 140 targets, 1 812 potential targets of human coronavirus infection, and 35 common targets of Xiyanping and human coronavirus infection;PPI network analysis and molecular docking showed that MAPK9, MAPK8, TYK2, CDKI and interleukin (IL)-6 among the 35 common targets might be the key targets of Xiyanping injection in the treatment of human coronavirus infection. Lactone was tightly bound;enrichment analysis showed that key targets were closely related to protein phosphorylation, cell signal transduction, and gene expression regulation, and key targets were NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, FOXO signaling pathway, there was also an important link in the TNF signaling pathway. Conclusion: The active ingredient of Xiyanping injection was andmgrapholide, and its treatment of human coronavirus infection might affect NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and FOXO signaling by inhibiting the activities of MAPK9, MAPK8, TYK2, CDK1 and IL-6. The activation of the pathway and the TNF signaling pathway regulates protein phosphorylation, cell signal transduction and gene expression, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects.

On the value of apricot kernel in modern medicine and its future development

Apricot kernels are one of the most regularly used traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients in Asia. The medical significance of apricot kernels is highlighted since Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) demonstrated its favourable impact when apricot kernels were used in the prevention and treatment of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Furthermore, apricot kernels are high in fat, protein, dietary fibre, and specific amygdalin, making them a new form of dried fruit in comparison to almond kernels, with a bigger market opportunity. This paper systematically reviewed the active components of apricot kernels and their application in medicine, especially for molecular mechanisms of anti-tumors of amygdalin, providing scientific theoretical foundations for modern medicine treatment with COVID-19-induced lung disease, and for the development of high value-added apricot kernels.

Uncovery of the action mechanisms and major bioactive compounds responsible for the protective effects of Toujie Quwen Granules on COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective: To explore the mechanism of action and active constituents of Toujie Quwen Granules (TJQWG) for treatment of COVID-19, and provide a scientific reference for its clinical application.

Network pharmacological study on the annti-inflammatory mechanism of XuanBaiChengQi Decoction in the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19)

Objective: To clarify potential annti-inflammatory molecular mechanism and signal pathway of XuanBaiChengQi(XBCQ) Decoction in treatment on COVID-19.

Discussion on the advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19

COVID-19 belongs to the plague category of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been confirmed in many ancient books and modern clinical studies that the acupuncture and moxibustion can cure the plague. Containing COVID-19, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jointly issued the Diagnosis and Treatment of Corona Virus Disease-19(7th edition). It mentions the treatment program of acupuncture and moxibustion participating in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Liu Baoyan's team analyzed the ideas of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for COVID-19. However, the clinical advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion still need to be further clarified. In the treatment of many clinical symptoms of COVID-19, acupuncture therapy has a good clinical effect, so the purpose of our discussion on the advantages is to improve the clinical accuracy and efficacy of COVID-19.

[Virtual screening of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine in treating COVID-19 based on molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation].

We aim to screen out the active components that may have therapeutic effect on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the severe and critical cases' prescriptions in the "Coronavirus Disease 2019 Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Trial Ninth Edition)" issued by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and explain its mechanism through the interactions with proteins. The ETCM database and SwissADME database were used to screen the active components contained in 25 traditional Chinese medicines in 3 prescriptions, and the PDB database was used to obtain the crystal structures of 4 proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Molecular docking was performed using Autodock Vina and molecular dynamics simulations were performed using GROMACS. Binding energy results showed that 44 active ingredients including xambioona, gancaonin L, cynaroside, and baicalin showed good binding affinity with multiple targets of SARS-CoV-2, while molecular dynamics simulations analysis showed that xambioona bound more tightly to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 and exerted a potent inhibitory effect. Modern technical methods are used to study the active components of traditional Chinese medicine and show that xambioona is an effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs and their treatment methods.

Screening of active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine against the novel Coronavirus based on molecular docking

ADMEN prediction was used to perform the first round screening from Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). then VASARA and molecular docking were used to screen again based on targets spike glyoprotein and angiotensin converting enzyme 2. and finally the interaction between target and drug was analyzed. 425 candidate ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine were screened from TCMSP database. when targeted by Spike glycoprotein. 12 ingredients were screened. They were contained artemisia apiacea salvia miltiorrhiza bge. scutellaria baicalensis. pinellia ternate. liquorice. radixImplettri and other traditional Chinese medicine. With ACE2 as the target. 77 components of traditional Chinese medicine were screened out. including salvia miltiorrhiza bge scutellaria baicalensis. pinellia ternatc. Liquorice. radix bupleuri. ephedra and other traditional Chinese medicine. At last. salviolone and dihydrotanshinlactone were found to be the potential inhibitor.

Discussion about the prevention of Coronavirus disease 19 based on the thought of treating non-disease and the theory of constitution of traditional Chinese medicine

Objective To summarize and analyze the susceptible constitution of coronavirus disease 19(COVID-19), put forward the diet prescription of traditional Chinese medicine for prevention based on the thought of treating non-disease and the theory of constitution, and to provide reference for COVID-19's prevention. Methods The relevant literatures in the past 5 years were reviewed, and the current situation of COVID-19's clinical manifestations, etiology, pathogenesis, disease location, disease transmission, susceptible physique, physique differentiation and prevention were summarized. Results The symptoms of COVID-19 were similar in the initial stage of infection, which was caused by damp pathogen. People with different physique were different in susceptibility to COVID-19 and the development and outcome of syndrome type after infection. The susceptible constitution was phlegm-dampness, dampness-heat, Qi deficiency and yang deficiency, blood stasis and Qi depression. Invigorating vital Qi, dispelling dampness, and nourishing lung are the basic treatment principles. Combined with physical differences and dialectical prevention, tonifying, invigorating spleen and stomach, and aromatic dampness-transforming drugs are major drugs, which are supplemented by drugs for promoting lung-Qi. Conclusion The formulation of preventive prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine according to different physique can provide some guidance for the clinical prevention of COVID-19.

Molecular docking and dynamics of phytochemicals from Chinese herbs with SARS-CoV-2 RdRp

The novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Ancient Chinese herbal formulas are effective for diseases caused by viral infection, and their effects on COVID-19 are currently being examined. To directly evaluate the role of Chinese herbs in inhibiting replication of SARS-CoV-2, we investigated how the phytochemicals from Chinese herbs interact with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Total 1025 compounds were screened, and then 181compounds were selected for molecular docking analysis. Four phytochemicals licorice glycoside E, diisooctyl phthalate, (-)-medicocarpin, and glycyroside showed good binding affinity with RdRp. The best complex licorice glycoside E/RdRp forms 3 hydrogen bonds, 4 hydrophobic interactions, 1 pair of Pi-cation/stacking, and 4 salt bridges. Furthermore, docking complexes licorice glycoside E/RdRp and diisooctyl phthalate/RdRp were optimized by molecular dynamics simulation to obtain the stable conformation. These studies indicate that they are promising as antivirals against SARS-CoV-2.

Application and problem analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of coronavirus disease 19

Objective: This study summarized the recent traditional Chinese medicines(TCM) used in the treatment of coronavirus disease 19(COVID-19) and analyzed the existing problems, therefore to provide basis for their further development and rational application.

Exploring the mechanism of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair in the intervention of COVID-19 by using network pharmacology and molecular docking technique. Methods The database TCMSP was retrieved for the chemical constituents and targets of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair. Coronavirus disease targets were screened by the Gene Cards, OMIM,TTD, PharmGkb and DrugBank database. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct the drug-component-target network. The PPI(protein-protein interaction) network was obtained by drug-disease intersection targets, and the core genes were found through CytoNCA plug-in. Meanwhile, GO(gene ontology) analysis and KEGG(Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathway analysis were performed by using Bioconductor database to predict the mechanism. AutoDock Tools 1.5.6 software was used to simulate the molecular docking of the main active ingredients with the novel coronavirus key binding site protein [SARS-CoV-2 main protease(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 main protease, Mpro) and ACE2(angiotensin converting enzyme 2)]. Results A total of 7 active ingredients of Platycodonis Radix,92 active ingredients of Licorice,2766 drug targets, and 674 disease targets were obtained, and 67 drug-disease common targets were excavated. The key targets involved RELA,STAT1,MAPK3,TP53,MAPK1,MAPK8,STAT3,MAPK14,IL1 B and TNF by the database STRING and CytoNCA plug-in.Go enrichment analysis showed that the main functions of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair on the intervention of COVID-19 were antioxidant reaction, cell respond to chemical stress, regulation of apoptotic signaling pathways, reaction to lipopolysaccharides and reaction to bacteria-derived molecules, etc.. KEGG pathways involved Coronavirus disease-COVID-19 pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway and so on, were mainly associated with immune response, inflammation-related pathways, inhibition of viral infection, and other inhibition of cancer. The molecular docking results showed that glepidotin A,quercetin, licochalcone a and luteolin had good binding ability with Mpro and ACE2. Conclusion Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair act on SARS-CoV-2 through multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple channel combination. And the main active ingredients have a fine binding ability with Mpro and ACE2. The method can provide theoretical support for the possibility of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) against COVID-19.

Clinical observation of qingke pingchuan granule in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Qingke Pingchuan Granules in treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in acute exacerbations. Methods 70 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD hospitalized in the respiratory department of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center (affiliated to Fudan University) from November 2019 to may 2021 were selected retrospectively. According to the drug treatment methods, they were divided into experimental group and control group, with 35 cases in each group. Pateints in the control group were given low flow oxygen therapy, anti-infection, antispasmodic, asthma and phlegm treatment according to the condition. Pateints in the experimental group were treated with Qingke Pingchuan Granule, 10 g each time, three times a day. Both groups were treated for ten days. The curative effects of TCM syndromes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptom assessment test (CAT) score, pulmonary function, arterial blood gas, inflammatory indexes and adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment. Results The total effective rate of TCM syndrome in the experimental group (88.6%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (68.6%) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CAT score, arterial blood gas and pulmonary function between the experimental group and the control group before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the CAT score and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). Arterial oxygen partial pressure(pO2), the first second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and the first second forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were significantly higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, the CAT score, arterial blood gas and pulmonary function indexes in the experimental group were significantly improved compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in peripheral blood leukocyte (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the levels of WBC, CRP and PCT in two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the levels of WBC, CRP and PCT in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental group was 14.3%, and there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group (8.6%) (P > 0.05). Conclusion Qingke Pingchuan Granule has synergistic effect in treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, alleviating clinical symptoms and improving pulmonary function. It has good curative effect and safety.

The role of Chinese medicine for treatment of COVID-19

COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by SARs-CoV-2 which has been spreading all over the world. The disease extensively affects human health and lives as well as the public health system, society and economy. It is therefore the worst pandemic problem that all countries pay great attention to, including Thailand, where the number of deaths from COVID-19 is constantly increasing. Meanwhile, in China, the number of infections and deaths can be quickly controlled since the beginning of the outbreak. The key factors in its success are strict lockdowns and screenings. China is also the first country that has applied traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in combination with Western medicine to treat COVID-19, making it possible to prevent and control the unpleasant circumstance of COVID-19 pandemic. The National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China has issued an official announcement on the treatment protocol for COVID-19 patients (Trial Version 8) on August 18, 2020. This protocol describes the methods for treating COVID-19 by using Chinese herbal medicines, acupuncture and moxibustion. This study reviews the results of traditional Chinese medications for preventing and treating COVID-19 as well as the COVID-19 in TCM's perspective so that people have better understanding and knowledge about COVID-19 prevention and self-care based on TCM guidelines.