What’s the role of traditional Chinese medicine in fighting COVID-19?
Traditional Chinese medicine has, of course, been used for thousands of years to holistically treat people’s diseases and distress. And it’s fascinating to see how many clinical studies are taking place regarding its role in treating COVID-19.
I’ve been learning about the benefits of TCM all my life. There is no doubt in my mind that the proponents of Chinese medicine have helped millions of people. We all need the balance and flow of qi (or energy) that sustains the universe and everything and everyone within it.
Traditional Chinese medicine can help us maintain this flow and balance, which lowers our chances of becoming sick in the first place. However, we are all susceptible to infections and viruses, and the pandemic has brought much scientific interest in whether TCM can help to treat COVID-19.
Research into traditional Chinese medicine and COVID-19
COVID-19 arrived in the world in December 2019. Since then, researchers, scientists, and virologists have been hunting for effective treatments. As we all know, COVID-19 is highly transmissible and spreads like wildfire. This makes it incredibly difficult to contain.
So far, there have been 115 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. And there could, of course, be many, many more that haven’t been tested. Global deaths now stand at 2.56 million. There have been incredible efforts to develop effective vaccines for the virus, and there are now various programs being rolled out around the world.
But as COVID-19 continues to evolve, mutate, and crop up in different strains, it’s clear that we’re in this for the long term. Sadly, it’s not going to be a case of finding a vaccine and eradicating the disease. So, research continues into all kinds of modern drugs, treatments, and anti-virals. There is also extensive research going on into the common treatments used in TCM.
Researchers analysing a seaweed extract used in TCM
For example, a research project in China is looking at a specific ingredient that has long been used in TCM. An extract from the seaweed Ecklonia kurome, called “kun bu” in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal treatment.
This research project is examining a specific carbohydrate extracted from the seaweed. The extract has been found to block an enzyme that replicates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The action of this enzyme is what causes COVID-19.
The team from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing found that the extract completely blocks enzyme activity. The enzyme in question is called 3C-like protease (3CLpro) and is the main protease apparent in coronaviruses. It connects viral polyproteins with essential proteins that replicate and transfer the virus. These findings suggest that it could become a potential drug used in protecting against becoming infected by COVID-19.
What have the researchers found?
COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. Since then, Chinese researchers have joined those around world studying the way the virus develops and spreads. The collective aim is to find and make effective antiviral therapies that can help fight the virus.
All of this research has proven that the first step in infection is dependent on what’s called the “spike protein.” This surface viral structure binds an enzyme and host receptor called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 ACE 2 with the co-receptor called heparan sulphate.
As Kun Bu contains a polysaccharide that has a sulphate group at the end of its molecular chain, it could be used to transmit bioactivity. This could, according to researchers, potentially block the infection pathway of SARS-CoV-2.
Another team of researchers from Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine have been looking at Yinqio powder in connection with COVID-19. You can read the findings in Phytotherapy Research.
To summarize the findings, the team says that the powder could be used in treating the early stages of the virus. Pharmacological studies show that it can help to improve lung function, strengthen the immune response to viruses, and negate some of the common side effects of modern drugs.
The powder’s active ingredients are rutin and hesperidin. Rutin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by binding to 3CLpro in the same way as the carbohydrate extracted from Kun Bo. Hesperidin can inhibit various receptors and enzymes that could be effective in treating COVID-19.
TCM has the potential to make a crucial difference in the fight against the pandemic
Other traditional Chinese medicine ingredients currently undergoing research for their potential use in in treating COVID-19 include Gancao, Bohe, Jie geng, Jing Jie Sui, Lian Qiaio, and Jinyinhua.
Patients turn to traditional Chinese medicine for all kinds of reasons, from their mental health to physical problems. So it’s natural that there will be various elements of TCM that might help people suffering from COVID-19.
Traditional Chinese medicine is a complex treatment system that has been developed and proven over and over again for thousands of years. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that it might help the fight against COVID-19 in some way. Proving this will take more research and clinical studies, but this mayhappen.
