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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Toxicity as prime selection criterion among SARS-active herbal medications
Thomas A. EfferthFranz OeschBarbara Oesch-bartlomowiczsubject
2019-20 coronavirus outbreakmedicine.medical_specialtyRelative toxicityCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Pharmaceutical ScienceReviewSARS-CoV-2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 203 medical and health sciencesCytochrome P450 Phytochemicals0302 clinical medicineSOD superoxide dismutaseDrug DiscoveryMedicineAnimalsHumansOral applicationIKK inhibitor of κB kinase030304 developmental biologyPharmacologyRational phytotherapy0303 health sciencesPublic healthCOVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019JNK c-Jun N-terminale kinaseNO nitric oxidePlants MedicinalTraditional medicineToxicityACE2 angiotensin converting enzyme 2business.industrySARS-CoV-2Public healthCOVID-19Th2 T helper cells type 2NF-κB nuclear factor- κ B cellsComplementary and alternative medicine030220 oncology & carcinogenesisToxicityMolecular MedicineCYP cytochrome P450 monooxygenaseHIV-1 human immunodeficiency virus 1businessSelection criterionMAPK mitogen-activated protein kinaseDrugs Chinese Herbaldescription
We present here a new selection criterion for prioritizing research on efficacious drugs for the fight against COVID-19: the relative toxicity versus safety of herbal medications, which were effective against SARS in the 2002/2003 epidemic. We rank these medicines according to their toxicity versus safety as basis for preferential rapid research on their potential in the treatment of COVID-19. The data demonstrate that from toxicological information nothing speaks against immediate investigation on, followed by rapid implementation of Lonicera japonica, Morus alba, Forsythia suspensa, and Codonopsis spec. for treatment of COVID-19 patients. Glycyrrhiza spec. and Panax ginseng are ranked in second priority and ephedrine-free Herba Ephedrae extract in third priority (followed by several drugs in lower preferences). Rapid research on their efficacy in the therapy - as well as safety under the specific circumstances of COVID-19 - followed by equally rapid implementation will provide substantial advantages to Public Health including immediate availability, enlargement of medicinal possibilities, in cases where other means are not successful (non-responders), not tolerated (sensitive individuals) or just not available (as is presently the case) and thus minimize sufferings and save lives. Moreover, their moderate costs and convenient oral application are especially advantageous for underprivileged populations in developing countries.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-05-01 | Phytomedicine |