Effects of Puping Qinghua in the management of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: a prospective, randomised, case-control study

Abstract

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated considerable clinical efficacy in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Puping Qinghua prescription (PPQH), a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, was found to be effective against clinical symptoms in patients with Omicron variant virus infection, Nonetheless, its safety and mechanism are unclear.

Purpose

To provide evidence of validity and adverse events associated with PPQH in treating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants infection.

Methods

Four hundred and eighty patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were randomised into the PPQH group (n = 240) and the LLQW group (n = 240). Basic information such as age, sex, vaccination status, symptoms, etc were registered. Laboratory tests for 142 patients, including cytokine levels and lymphocyte counts, liver and kidney function.

Results

After intervention, levels of NK cells, IFN-α, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-12p70 were reduced in the PPQH group, whereas the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17A were reduced in the Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) group (P < 0.05). PPQH was more effective in shortening duration of fever and reducing degree of cough compared with LHQW (P < 0.05). Liver and kidney functions remained unimpaired before and after intervention in both groups (P > 0.05). In addition, the incidence of adverse reactions such as palpitations, dizziness and sweating was lower in the PPQH group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The efficacy of PPQH is comparable to LHQW in patients infected with Omicron variant virus. More excitingly, PPQH demonstrates a higher level of security.