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Malek FA, Funk P. Identifying in-market application of Pelargonium root extract EPs 7630 for the treatment of COVID-19: analysis of pharmacovigilance data. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1335309. [PMID: 38464728 PMCID: PMC10920291 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1335309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Phytopharmaceutical products are successfully used for acute respiratory infections and may therefore be promising candidates for adjuvant symptomatic treatment of COVID-19. In vitro and clinical studies suggest that the proprietary Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs 7630 has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, and effects on SARS-CoV-2 propagation have been shown in vitro. Medicinal products containing the extract have been approved for the symptomatic treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections. Methods: We present a retrospective review of case reports submitted spontaneously to the pharmacovigilance database of the manufacturer of EPs 7630 and containing information on the off-label use of the extract for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19 and of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Eligible case reports were identified by automated database searches. Results: Forty-four case reports filed between December 2019 and February 2023 were eligible for analysis. More than ¾ described the use of EPs 7630 for treatment of COVID-19 while the remaining reports referred to the treatment of post-COVID-19 syndrome or to COVID-19 prophylaxis. 15/22 cases which reported on treatment duration indicated an intake of EPs 7630 for up to 7 days. Five case reports indicated the use of EPs 7630 as COVID-19 monotherapy while 14 indicated a combination treatment with other drugs. All 28 cases that reported on treatment outcome characterized the patients as improved. Thirty case reports (68%) did not indicate any complications. The most frequent suspected adverse reactions were gastrointestinal complaints and hypersensitivity reactions, both of which may occur as known adverse effects of EPs 7630. No unexpected adverse reactions were observed. Conclusion: Reported cases confirm that there was a certain off-label use of EPs 7630 for COVID-19 in the market. Even though no formal conclusions about the efficacy of EPs 7630 in COVID-19 can be drawn, a beneficial effect would be explainable by the pharmacological profile of the extract. Further assessment of the effects of EPs 7630 in COVID-19-related indications therefore appears to be both justified and promising, particularly as the available case reports did not give rise to any safety concerns also in this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petra Funk
- Research and Development, Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany
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Pourova J, Dias P, Pour M, Bittner Fialová S, Czigle S, Nagy M, Tóth J, Balázs VL, Horváth A, Csikós E, Farkas Á, Horváth G, Mladěnka P. Proposed mechanisms of action of herbal drugs and their biologically active constituents in the treatment of coughs: an overview. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16096. [PMID: 37901462 PMCID: PMC10607228 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Various medicinal plants find their use in cough treatment, based on traditions and long-term experience. Pharmacological principles of their action, however, are much less known. Herbal drugs usually contain a mixture of potentially active compounds, which can manifest diverse effects. Expectorant or antitussive effects, which can be accompanied by others, such as anti-inflammatory or antibacterial, are probably the most important in the treatment of coughs. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge of the effects of medicinal plants or their constituents on cough, based on reliable pharmacological studies. First, a comprehensive description of each effect is provided in order to explain the possible mechanism of action in detail. Next, the results related to individual plants and substances are summarized and critically discussed based on pharmacological in vivo and in vitro investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Pourova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Patricia Dias
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Pour
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Silvia Bittner Fialová
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Szilvia Czigle
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Milan Nagy
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Jaroslav Tóth
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | | | - Adrienn Horváth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Eszter Csikós
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Farkas
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Györgyi Horváth
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Přemysl Mladěnka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Mammari N, Albert Q, Devocelle M, Kenda M, Kočevar Glavač N, Sollner Dolenc M, Mercolini L, Tóth J, Milan N, Czigle S, Varbanov M. Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Common Cold and Viral Respiratory Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050662. [PMID: 37242445 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The common cold is generally considered a usually harmless infectious disease of the upper respiratory pathway, with mostly mild symptoms. However, it should not be overlooked, as a severe cold can lead to serious complications, resulting in hospitalization or death in vulnerable patients. The treatment of the common cold remains purely symptomatic. Analgesics as well as oral antihistamines or decongestants may be advised to relieve fever, and local treatments can clear the airways and relieve nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, or sneezing. Certain medicinal plant specialties can be used as therapy or as complementary self-treatment. Recent scientific advances discussed in more detail in this review have demonstrated the plant's efficiency in the treatment of the common cold. This review presents an overview of plants used worldwide in the treatment of cold diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Mammari
- CNRS, L2CM, Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Quentin Albert
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, UMR1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Fongiques, 13288 Marseille, France
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, CIRM-CF, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Marc Devocelle
- SSPC (Synthesis & Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre), V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Department of Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St. Stephen's Green, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maša Kenda
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Kočevar Glavač
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marija Sollner Dolenc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Laura Mercolini
- Research Group of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis (PTA Lab), Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jaroslav Tóth
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nagy Milan
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Szilvia Czigle
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mihayl Varbanov
- CNRS, L2CM, Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, CHRU de Nancy Brabois, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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Matthys H, Funk P, Zimmermann A, Lehmacher W. Effects of EPs 7630 on the duration of inability to work in acute bronchitis - a meta-analysis. Multidiscip Respir Med 2023; 18:914. [PMID: 37476531 PMCID: PMC10355130 DOI: 10.4081/mrm.2023.914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute bronchitis (AB) has an enormous economic impact through lost working time. We investigated whether treatment with Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 may reduce the time of inability to work. Methods A meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials with adult patients suffering from AB was performed. The average number of days of inability to work and the proportion of patients who were still unable to work after one week's treatment were assessed. Results Four clinical trials with a total of 1,011 evaluable patients who received the marketed dosage of EPs 7630 (n=505) or placebo (n=506) for seven days were included in the meta-analysis. At baseline, 845/1,011 patients (83.6%) were unable to work. In the four trials, the proportion decreased to between 19 and 14% for EPs 7630 and to between 41 and 55% for placebo (meta-analysis risk ratio and 95% confidence interval: 0.35; 0.26-0.45; p<0.001). For the number of sick days, a weighted mean difference of 1.73 days (1.17-2.29 days; p<0.001) favoring EPs 7630 was observed. Conclusions For adults suffering from AB, this meta-analysis demonstrates that seven days' treatment with Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 significantly reduces the average number of sick days and significantly increases the proportion of patients who are able to return to work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Matthys
- Medical Director Emeritus, Department of Pneumology, Freiburg University Hospital, Freiburg
| | - Petra Funk
- Research and Development Department, Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe
| | - Andrea Zimmermann
- Research and Development Department, Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe
| | - Walter Lehmacher
- Emeritus, Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Germany
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Phytocompounds as a source for the development of new drugs to treat respiratory viral infections. STUDIES IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY 2023; 77:187-240. [PMCID: PMC10204935 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91294-5.00007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory viruses have an important history as a threat to global health. However, this problem has been aggravated due to the appearance of new outbreaks caused by a newly discovered virus or variant. Recently, the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been a major concern for health authorities, and it was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Secondary metabolites obtained from plants represent an alternative to the discovery of new active molecules and have already shown potential to combat different viruses. In an effort to demonstrate the broad spectrum of antiviral action from these metabolites, this work describes the compounds that were effective against the major viruses that cause respiratory infections in humans. In addition, their mechanisms of action were highlighted as an approach to better understanding the virus-bioactive substance relationship. Finally, this study warns that, although phytocompounds have a broad antiviral action spectrum, the development of products and clinical trials based on these secondary metabolites is still scarce and therefore deserves greater attention from the scientific community.
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Lee YS, Lim SY, Min KH, Kim DJ, Yoo KH, Kim TB, Kim HR, Shim JJ. The efficacy and safety of DW1601 in patients with acute bronchitis: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, phase III clinical trial. Korean J Intern Med 2022; 37:1195-1204. [PMID: 36153858 PMCID: PMC9666245 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2022.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS DW1601, an oral fixed dose combination syrup composed of DW16011 and Pelargonium sidoides, was developed to enhance the symptom relief effect in patients with acute bronchitis. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DW1601 compared to DW16011 or P. sidoides for treatment of acute bronchitis using a randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled, multi-centre trial design. METHODS A total of 204 patients with acute bronchitis was randomized 1:1:1 to receive DW1601 (n = 67), DW16011 (n = 70), or P. sidoides (n = 64) for 7 days. The primary outcome was efficacy of DW1601 compared to DW16011 or P. sidoides in reducing the total bronchitis severity score (BSS) at day 4 of treatment. Secondary endpoints were changes in total and symptomspecific BSS, response rate and patient satisfaction rate. Safety analysis was assessed at day 7. RESULTS At 4 days after medication, decrease of total BSS from baseline was significantly greater in the DW1601 group than in the DW16011 group (-3.51 ± 0.18 vs. -2.65 ± 0.18, p = 0.001) or P. sidoides group (-3.56 ± 0.18 vs. -2.64 ± 0.19, p < 0.001). In addition, the BSS total score at day 7 and the BSS cough and sputum component scores at days 4 and 7 were significantly more improved with DW1601 treatment compared with the DW16011 group or P. sidoides group. Participants treated with DW1601 showed higher rates of response and satisfaction than control groups (response rate, DW1601, 100% vs. DW16011, 85.7% vs. P. sidoides, 85.9%; satisfaction rate, DW1601, 92.6% vs. DW16011, 82.9% vs. P. sidoides, 81.2%). Significant adverse events were not observed in the DW1601 group. CONCLUSION DW1601 is superior to DW16011 or P. sidoides in improving symptoms of acute bronchitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Seok Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Seong Yong Lim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Kyung Hoon Min
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Do Jin Kim
- Division of Respiratory and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon,
Korea
| | - Kwang Ha Yoo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Tae-Bum Kim
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Hak-Ryul Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan,
Korea
| | - Jae Jeong Shim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
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Kardos P, Lehmacher W, Zimmermann A, Brandes-Schramm J, Funk P, Matthys H, Kamin W. Effects of <em>Pelargonium sidoides</em> extract EPs 7630 on acute cough and quality of life – a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Multidiscip Respir Med 2022; 17:868. [PMID: 36051888 PMCID: PMC9425964 DOI: 10.4081/mrm.2022.868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cough is a leading symptom of viral acute respiratory infections such as acute bronchitis (AB) and the common cold (CC), which can be debilitating and may persist for several weeks. We investigated whether treatment with Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 may reduce cough and improve disease-related quality of life (QoL). Methods We performed a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials investigating the efficacy of EPs 7630 in AB or CC. Efficacy analyses included change from baseline in a cough intensity score, remission of cough, and disease-associated impairments of QoL. Results Data of 2,195 participants from 11 trials (3 in children/adolescents with AB, 3 in adults with AB, 5 in adults with CC) were eligible. In children/adolescents with AB, 79.6% of participants treated with EPs 7630 and 41% treated with placebo showed a reduction in the intensity of cough by at least 50% of baseline values at day 7 [meta-analysis rate/risk ratio (RR), EPs 7630 / placebo: 1.86 (95% CI: 1.34; 2.95)], and 18.0% vs 5.5% presented with complete remission of cough [RR: 2.91 (95% CI: 1.26; 6.72)]. In adults with AB, 88.7% of participants in the EPs 7630 group and 47.6% in the placebo group showed a ≥50% response for cough intensity [RR: 2.13 (95% CI: 1.37; 3.31)], while 26.0% vs 6.3% did not cough any more at day 7 [RR: 5.00 [95% CI: 3.10; 8.07)]. Cough scale results were supported by significant improvements over placebo in the pursuit of normal daily activities and other QoL measures. In CC, 56.8% of participants treated with EPs 7630 and 38.8% treated with placebo showed a ≥50% cough intensity reduction [RR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.19; 1.65)] at day 5, while 26.1% versus 18.4% showed complete remission of cough for EPs 7630 and placebo, respectively [RR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.06; 1.84)]. CCassociated pain/discomfort and impairment of usual activities were no longer present in 41.5% and 48.8% of participants treated with EPs 7630 compared to less than 40% of patients in the placebo group. Conclusions The results show that EPs 7630 reduces the burden and leads to earlier remission of cough. Advantages for EPs 7630 were also reflected in self-rated measures of disease-associated QoL. Of note, patients treated with the herbal product felt able to resume their usual daily activities sooner.
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Papies J, Emanuel J, Heinemann N, Kulić Ž, Schroeder S, Tenner B, Lehner MD, Seifert G, Müller MA. Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Pelargonium sidoides DC. Root Extract EPs® 7630 in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Human Lung Cells. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:757666. [PMID: 34759825 PMCID: PMC8573200 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.757666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment options for COVID-19 are currently limited. Drugs reducing both viral loads and SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammatory responses would be ideal candidates for COVID-19 therapeutics. Previous in vitro and clinical studies suggest that the proprietary Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs 7630 has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, limiting symptom severity and disease duration of infections with several upper respiratory viruses. Here we assessed if EPs 7630 affects SARS-CoV-2 propagation and the innate immune response in the human lung cell line Calu-3. In direct comparison to other highly pathogenic CoV (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2 growth was most efficiently inhibited at a non-toxic concentration with an IC50 of 1.61 μg/ml. Particularly, the cellular entry step of SARS-CoV-2 was significantly reduced by EPs 7630 pretreatment (10-100 μg/ml) as shown by spike protein-carrying pseudovirus particles and infectious SARS-CoV-2. Using sequential ultrafiltration, EPs 7630 was separated into fractions containing either prodelphinidins of different oligomerization degrees or small molecule constituents like benzopyranones and purine derivatives. Prodelphinidins with a low oligomerization degree and small molecule constituents were most efficient in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 entry already at 10 μg/ml and had comparable effects on immune gene regulation as EPs 7630. Downregulation of multiple pro-inflammatory genes (CCL5, IL6, IL1B) was accompanied by upregulation of anti-inflammatory TNFAIP3 at 48 h post-infection. At high concentrations (100 μg/ml) moderately oligomerized prodelphinidins reduced SARS-CoV-2 propagation most efficiently and exhibited pronounced immune gene modulation. Assessment of cytokine secretion in EPs 7630-treated and SARS-CoV-2-coinfected Calu-3 cells showed that pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were elevated whereas multiple other COVID-19-associated cytokines (IL-8, IL-13, TNF-α), chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL10), and growth factors (PDGF, VEGF-A, CD40L) were significantly reduced by EPs 7630. SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibition and the differential immunomodulatory functions of EPs 7630 against SARS-CoV-2 encourage further in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Papies
- Institute of Virology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jackson Emanuel
- Institute of Virology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Heinemann
- Institute of Virology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Žarko Kulić
- Preclinical R & D, Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Simon Schroeder
- Institute of Virology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beate Tenner
- Institute of Virology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin D. Lehner
- Preclinical R & D, Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Georg Seifert
- Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcel A. Müller
- Institute of Virology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
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Aprilio K, Wilar G. Emergence of Ethnomedical COVID-19 Treatment: A Literature Review. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:4277-4289. [PMID: 34703254 PMCID: PMC8541748 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s327986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of COVID-19 as a new pandemic in the modern era has led the public to a new perspective of health. In the earlier days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many factors made people go on their own ways in finding its supposed "cure". With conventional medicines' limited availability and access, traditional medicines become more appealing due to its widespread availability and increased perception of safety. Several herbal medicines are then believed to be able to alleviate or cure COVID-19 and its symptoms. Similarities and patterns in herbal medicines being used show local wisdom of the respective communities regarding their knowledge of diseases and its treatment, known as ethnomedicine. Despite not being approved yet by regulatory bodies as a definitive guideline in COVID-19 management, the application of ethnomedicine results in several herbal medicine candidates that show a promising result regarding its efficacy in managing COVID-19. This literature review aims to study how a society and its knowledge of medicine responds to a new and currently developing disease, and whether if that knowledge merits further study in search of a cure for the pandemic. Furthermore, the narrative aspect in this review also explores socio-politics and public health aspects and considerations of non-conventional COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Aprilio
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia
| | - Gofarana Wilar
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia
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