Ephedra for COVID-19

Big data was utilized to analyze the network of biological systems and multi-target drug signal nodes, and despite traditional Chinese medicine proving effective against COVID-19 since the 2019 outbreak, the complexity and challenging actions of network pharmacology are essential for in-depth analysis. Objective: To present an overview of the literature on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of COVID-19 based on network pharmacology. Methods: A succinct explanation of the data sources: Twenty items in all were found after browsing the English and Chinese data websites. Following screening, data synthesis techniques and the remaining eight publications were located. Results: This study contained eight publications, including network pharmacology investigations on the mechanisms of action of eight prescription TCM medications. Many prescription drugs and specialty treatments from traditional Chinese medicine, including astragalus membranaceus-atractylodes rhizoma, LHQW, TJQWG, ephedra and glycyrrhiza, Yinqiao powder, rhizoma polygonati, MXSGD, and HSBDF, have been utilized in the clinical treatment of COVID-19. Their primary modes of action entail several components working on many targets and pathways related to immune modulation, organ protection, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Conclusion: This study reviewed eight Chinese herbal formulas used for treating COVID-19 and found they all contain quercetin, a compound that may reduce lung damage, and target at least one of TNF, IL-2, or IL-6, potentially decreasing inflammation and boosting immunity. All these traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments were effective against COVID-19, offering valuable insights and inspiration for future drug research.

Background: The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has originated from Wuhan, China and rapidly spread all over the world. This disease is caused by a coronavirus termed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that mainly infects the human respiratory tract. Herbal agents including Atractylodes lancea, Ephedra, Curcumin, and Echinacea purpurea had immunomodulatory effects and antiviral activities on other respiratory viruses including Influenza virus. They strengthen the innate immunity through increasing the phagocytic activity and antiinflammatory activity. These herbs could be used as a complementary therapy to prevent entry of COVID-19 and improve immune system. This review delves into the role and therapeutic compounds of various herbal agents in relation to immunity, their effectiveness in treating other viral respiratory illnesses, and their potential influence on COVID-19 disease.