Efficacy and Safety of Lianhua Qingke Tablets in the Treatment of Mild and Common-Type COVID-19: A Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Study.

Ling Zhang,Rongmeng Jiang,Xixin Yan,Yong Gao,Huanxia Shang,Qingquan Liu,Xin Zhang,Yadong Yuan,Lei Wu,Bo Lian,Jianqiang Mei,Jing Hu,Shucai Wu,Xiaolong Xu,Wansu Park

doi:10.1155/2022/8733598

Abstract

Background Lianhua Qingke (LH) tablets is an effective traditional Chinese medicine against various viral infections, especially in relieving coughing. However, its effects on COVID-19 are unknown. Methods To examine the therapeutic effectiveness of LH tablets in COVID-19 patients with mild and common types, a randomized, multicenter, controlled study was carried out. COVID-19 cases were randomized to undergo routine treatment with or without LH tablets (4 tablets, three times a day) for 14 days. The primary endpoints were the rate of achieving clinical symptom resolution and the corresponding time. Results There were 144 participants in the full analysis set (72 each in the LH and control groups). The LH group participants had elevated symptom alleviation rate at 14 days compared with control cases (FAS: 98.61% vs. 84.72%, p = 0.0026). In comparison with control group participants, the LH group participants had reduced median time to clinical symptom alleviation (median: 4 vs. 7 days, p < 0.0001). Higher resolution rates of coughing (98.44% vs. 84.51%, p = 0.0045) and expectoration (100% vs. 82.35%, p = 0.0268) were observed in the LH group. Times to recovery of fever (median: 2 vs. 3 days, p = 0.0007), coughing (median: 4 vs. 7 days, p < 0.0001), and expectoration (median: 3 vs. 6 days, p < 0.0001) were also notably shorter in the LH group. Moreover, the LH group had elevated improvement rates in chest computed tomography signs (FAS: 86.11% vs. 72.22%, p = 0.0402) and clinical cure at day 28 (FAS: 83.33% vs. 68.06%, p = 0.0326). However, no differences were found in the laboratory test and viral assay. Serious adverse events were not detected. Conclusion These preliminary findings indicate LH tablets may be effective in symptomatic COVID-19, especially in relieving coughing. This trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100042069).

Highlights

In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting from infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged as a new pandemic that has continued to pose a severe threat to the global community [1]
Study Design and Patients. e current randomized, controlled, multicenter study examined COVID-19 cases diagnosed based on the Diagnosis and Treatment Program for Novel Coronavirus Infection Pneumonia (Trial Eighth Edition) released by the National Health Commission of China. is trial was planned and prepared since January 1, 2021, and started enrollment from January 14 to March 31, 2021. is study was performed in oracic Surgery Department, Tuberculosis Department, and Department of Neurology of the Hebei Chest Hospital and Second Hospital of Xingtai and Harbin Chest Hospital
Primary Endpoints. e symptom recovery rate at 14 days was elevated in the Lianhua Qingke (LH) treatment group compared with the control group (FAS: 98.61% vs. 84.72%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.98–24.00, p 0.0026; PPS same as FAS) (Figure 2(a))

Summary

Introduction

In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting from infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged as a new pandemic that has continued to pose a severe threat to the global community [1]. Based on reports and feedback from patients, many individuals are with post-COVID syndrome symptoms such as coughing dread reinfection, staying away from relatives and friends, and/or have trouble resuming work [7]. Erefore, taking effective measures and administering drugs to ensure airway patency and improve lung ventilation function has become an important way to improve the cure rate of COVID-19 cases. Erefore, it is urgent to develop effective drugs to relieve clinical symptoms, especially cough and sputum. Lianhua Qingke (LH) tablets is an effective traditional Chinese medicine against various viral infections, especially in relieving coughing. E LH group participants had elevated symptom alleviation rate at 14 days compared with control cases (FAS: 98.61% vs 84.72%, p 0.0026). Ese preliminary findings indicate LH tablets may be effective in symptomatic COVID-19, especially in relieving coughing. Conclusion. ese preliminary findings indicate LH tablets may be effective in symptomatic COVID-19, especially in relieving coughing. is trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100042069)

Methods

Results

Conclusion