The Important Role of Volatile Components From a Traditional Chinese Medicine Dayuan-Yin Against the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aromatic Chinese herbs have been used to prevent plagues since ancient times. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases. According to the traditional Chinese medicine treatment plan in the National COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Trial Seventh Edition) of the National Health Commission, Chinese patent medicines or prescriptions rich in aromatic Chinese herbs are selected for prevention and treatment during the period of medical observation, clinical treatment, and recovery of confirmed COVID-19 patients. Some local health committees or traditional Chinese medicine administrations recommend a variety of other ways of using traditional aromatic Chinese herbs to prevent and cure COVID-19. These involve external fumigation, use of moxibustion, and wearing of sachet. The efficacy of aromatic Chinese herbs plays a decisive role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The unique properties, chemical composition, and mechanism of action of aromatic Chinese herbs are worthy of extensive and in-depth experimental and clinical research. The findings are expected to provide a reference for follow-up treatment of novel coronavirus and the development of corresponding drugs. In 2003, Dayuan-Yin produced excellent results in the treatment of the SARS virus. Individually, 112 confirmed cases were administered this drug between January and April 2003, and more than 93.7% of the patients showed noticeable mitigation of the symptoms, as well as recovery. Dayuan-Yin also was selected as one of the nationally recommended prescriptions for the COVID-19. Based on the national recommendation of Dayuan-Yin prescription, this review discusses the role of volatile components in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and speculates the possible mechanism of action, so as to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Global prevalence of prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 survivors and potential pathogenesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…59,60 Direct invasion of SARS-CoV-2 into GI epithelial cells It has been shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2, is also highly expressed in the digestive system organs such as the esophagus, small intestine, and colon. 61,62 Therefore, it is quite plausible to observe the advent of several GI symptoms induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients ranging from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to loss of appetite and abdominal pain. 59,60,63 The expression of the ACE2 receptor in the gut results in the digestive system also being vulnerable to attack by SARS-CoV-2.…”

Traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19

“…According to sequence alignment and homology modeling, the critical targets of spike, 3C-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) protease share 76%, 96%, 83%, 96% sequence similarity between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, respectively 85 , 86 , 87 . We collected and summarized TCMs and their ingredients to reveal the specific mechanisms of TCM for the three phases of distinct disease stages of COVID-19 42 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , …”

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine against COVID-19

“…Dayuan decoction (DYD) is composed of Areca catechu L , Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H.Wilson , Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz , Citrus reticulata Blanco , Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire , Ephedra sinica Stapf , Zingiber officinale Rosc , Citrus × aurantium L , Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth , Hansenia weberbaueriana (Fedde ex H.Wolff) Pimenov & Kljuykov that are present in the mass ratio of 10: 10: 15: 10: 6: 6: 10: 10: 10 [ 73 ]. Eight of them are aromatic Chinese herbs, having functions of dissolving the turbid with aromatics, and clearing heat and nourishing Yin .…”

“…Experimental studies have shown that DYD has obvious antipyretic effects, the mechanism of which is related to decreasing prostaglandin E2 level in the cerebrospinal fluid, thereby reducing the excitatory stimulation to the body temperature center [ 74 ]. During January to April, 2003, a total of 112 confirmed SARS cases were treated with DYD, with over 93.7% of the patients experiencing noticeable symptoms reduction and recovery [ 73 ]. This prescription is quite consistent with the treatment principle for COVID-19 in terms of etiology, pathogenesis, efficacy and indications, thus being used for mild and common cases during the clinical treatment period.…”

“…In clinic, it is found that DYD can relieve symptoms of cough, asthma and dry throat, improve prognosis of COVID-19 patients, and shorten disease progression, making it worthy of clinical application and promotion [ 46 , 75 ]. In the treatment of COVID-19, DYD also decreases the severity of ARDS by acting on cytokine storm [ 73 ]. Furthermore, by using network pharmacology and molecular docking method, Yang Zong et, al.…”