The three syndromes and six Chinese patent medicine study during the recovery phase of COVID-19

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), first broke out in Wuhan, China, in 2019. SARS-CoV-2 develops many types of mutations (such as B.1.1.7), making diagnosis and treatment challenging. Although we now have a preliminary understanding of COVID-19, including pathological changes, clinical manifestations, and treatment measures, we also face new difficulties. The biggest problem is that most COVID-19 patients might face sequelae (e.g., fatigue, sleep disturbance, pulmonary fibrosis) during the recovery phase. We aimed to test six Chinese patent medicines to treat three major abnormal symptoms in COVID-19 patients during the recovery phase, including cardiopulmonary function, sleep disturbance, and digestive function. We launched the “three syndromes and six Chinese patent medicines” randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial on April 10, 2020. The results showed that Jinshuibao tablets and Shengmaiyin oral liquid significantly improved the cardiopulmonary function of recovering COVID-19 patients. Shumian capsules, but not Xiaoyao capsules, significantly improved patients’ sleep disorders. This might be because the indication of Xiaoyao capsules is liver qi stagnation rather than psychological or emotional problems. Xiangsha Liujun pills and Ludangshen oral liquid significantly improved digestive function. Our research provides a guideline for treating COVID-19 sequelae in patients during the recovery period based on high-quality evidence.

Clinical Efficacy of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Shumian Capsule for Insomnia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…The result of a recent study that focused on sleep and mood disorders caused by the COVID-19 also supported our findings, and this study reported that SMC significantly improved depression and anxiety of patients with COVID-19 during the recovery phase. 43 Also, the findings were consistent with a variety of previous clinical studies. 44–47 The mechanism of mood symptoms improvements might be related to the Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Radix Bupleuri, and Bombyx Batryticatus.…”

Efficacy and safety of Qi and Blood Tonic Chinese Medicines in the treatment of COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

“…[ 38 ] Many of these herbal medicines are not only used throughout but are especially important in the recovery period. [ 19 , 39 ]…”

The role of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019

“…An observational study of 420 convalescent COVID-19 patients showed that the recurrence rate of positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests in the comprehensive intervention group of TCM was significantly lower than that in the non-intervention group [ 5 ]. Through the clinical study of “the three syndromes and six Chinese patent medicine” during the recovery phase of COVID-19, it was found that Chinese patent medicines such as Jinshuibao Capsule, Shengmai Yin, Ludangshen Oral Liquid, Xiangsha Liujun Pill, and Shumian Capsule can improve cardiopulmonary dysfunction, digestive dysfunction, and sleep and emotional dysfunction of convalescent patients [ 6 , 7 ]. In addition, our clinical study also showed that Qimai Feiluoping Decoction could significantly promote the absorption of interstitial inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in patients with severe/critical disease in the convalescent stage, and preliminarily explored its antifibrosis mechanism from the pharmacological level [ 8 ].…”