Like vitamins and other nutrients found in vegetables and fruits, many plants contain compounds that are beneficial for the human body. In ancient China, people discovered that some plants have healing or health effects and came to comprise what we call Chinese herbal medicine today.
Peimine
Peimine is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extracted from the Liliaceae plant Fritillaria, including Tendrilleaf Fritillary Bulb and Chekiang Fritillary Bulb. It has the effects of nourishing the lungs, reducing phlegm, and relieving cough. It is also anti-inflammatory, inhibits the occurrence and growth of cancer, and anti-pulmonary fibrosis.There are two known ways for COVID-19 to infect the human body. One method is that the virus binds the spike (S) protein to the surface of the host cells’ receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and fuses to the membrane. The second method is when the S protein is weak in binding to ACE2, the two proteases, Furin and transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2), can cleave the S protein. One subunit of the S protein binds ACE2 and the other subunit anchors the S protein to the membrane, enhancing the binding force of the S protein to ACE2.
A study by China Medical University in Taiwan found that peimine can bind to the S proteins of different variants of viruses, blocking them from binding to ACE2 and inhibiting virus invasion. A significant preventive effect is developed on the mutant virus strains Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Omicron, and their variants BA.4 and BA.5. The study also found that peimine has an inhibitory effect on Furin.
Safflower and Saffron
Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius, of the Asteraceae family, can be dried and used for medicine. “Compendium of Materia Medica,” a classical TCM book written in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), pointed out that safflower can promote blood circulation, moisten dry tissues, and relieve pain and swelling. In addition, safflower polysaccharide can promote T-cell mitosis and enhance immunity.A study by Kazakh and Chinese experts found that when infected with COVID-19, the kinase in the patient’s cells increases, allowing the virus to enter the cell more quickly; thus inhibiting the kinase is an important target in the treatment of COVID-19.
The compounds in safflower and saffron can inhibit kinases and multiple viral signaling pathways and have antiviral, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory effects. Studies have also pointed out that the components in saffron can bind to human ACE2—the receptor COVID-19 uses to enter cells—and play a role in preventing adhesion of the COVID-19 virus.
Ganoderma Microsporum Immunomodulatory Protein
Ganoderma is a Polyporaceae plant that has the effects of invigorating qi and calming the nerves, relieving cough and asthma, as recorded in the first Chinese pharmacy monograph “The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica.” Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein (GMI) is a small fungal protein with anticancer and immunomodulatory functions.Research by National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan found that GMI will connect to the spike protein of the CVOID-19 virus to prevent the virus from infecting cells. GMI will also induce ACE2 on the cell to enter the cell for degradation, reduce the expression of ACE2 outside the host cell, and decrease the risk of virus infection.
Phellinus
Phellinus is a parasitic fungus that occurs on mulberry and other trees and is recorded in “The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica” and “Compendium of Materia Medica.” Phellinus has anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects. It was commonly used to treat gynecological tumors in ancient China. Modern scientific research has also found that Phellinus has pronounced anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects.The research team led by Jaung-Geng Lin, a professor of China Medical University in Taiwan, found that hispidin and 3,4- dihydroxybenzalacetone, the components in Phellinus, can inhibit cells from producing ACE2 and TMPRSS2, thereby preventing the COVID-19 virus from infecting cells. In addition, Phellinus components are not cytotoxic and will not damage organs.
COVID-19 infects human cells by binding to ACE2 on the cell membrane, and another protein, TMPRSS2, can accelerate the virus’ entry into cells.
Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn
Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (SSP), a leguminous plant, was recorded in the “Compendium of Materia Medica Supplements” in the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912) and has the effect of nourishing blood and promoting blood circulation.The study found that the extract of SSP can inhibit the SARS virus (SARS-CoV-1), H5N1 influenza virus, HIV-1 AIDS virus, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), and various variants of COVID-19, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/5).
NRICM101
The prescription of the traditional Chinese medicine NRICM101 developed in Taiwan is based on the prescription Toxin-Resolving Powder written in “Numerous Miraculous Prescriptions for Health Cultivation” in the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 ) that specializes in treating ancient epidemic diseases.Composed of 10 Chinese herbal medicines, Baikal skullcap root, Houttuynia also known as Heart leaf, Indigowoad root, trichosanthes, Fineleaf Schizonepeta, wild mint, mulberry leaf, Officinal Magnolia bark, liquorice root, and Divaricate Saposhnikovia; it has the effects of clearing away heat, detoxifying the lungs, and is anti-viral.
The National Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare and several hospitals have found that after taking NRICM101, confirmed COVID-19 patients obtained negative test results within an average of 9 days without any adverse effects.
- Inhibits the combination of the COVID-19 spike protein and ACE2 on the host cell membrane to prevent the virus from invading cells.
- Inhibits the activity of 3CL protease and blocks the replication of the virus in cells.
- Inhibits the cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 secreted by alveolar macrophages to regulate the generated inflammatory storm, reduce lung damage, and inhibit the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
Clinical data from nine hospitals, including Taiwan’s Tri-Service General Hospital, showed that NRICM101 can effectively reduce the risk of infected patients becoming severely ill.
During the 30-day observation period, patients at the facilities were divided into two groups. One received standard care only and the other received standard care plus either NRCIM101 or NRCOM102. Of the patients who received only routine care, 14 (9.27 percent) became severely ill (intubated, transferred to the ICU), while none of the patients who received NRICM101 treatment became severely ill. Twenty-seven patients who received standard care only died and 7 who received standard care plus NRCOM102 died.
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