Prevention and Control of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections in Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Ginseng-Based Clinical Trials

Introduction

Acute respiratory infections are continuously emerging. Discovered in Wuhan city, China in 2019, COV-SARS-2 and most viral respiratory diseases presently do not have a definitive cure. This paper aims to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of ginseng for prevention and control of acute respiratory illness including SARS-COV-2 in adult population.

Method

We performed a systematic literature review using databases PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane library from 1st through the 27th of April 2020. All related articles that reported the use of Ginseng in COVID-19 patients were included in this analysis. Screening was done by 2-independent researchers. The meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis package.

Result

596 articles were retrieved for the time frame. After screening, 5 articles with RCTs outcomes relevant to the review were selected. Ginseng was found to be effective in the reduction of risk by 38 % and 3-days shorter duration of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in all trials than placebo.

Conclusion

As the world continues to race to find a cure, it is important to consider the use of ginseng which has been proven over the years to be effective in the treatment of acute respiratory illnesses. Further studies should however be conducted to determine the right dosage to improve efficacy and prevent adverse events.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Highlight

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  COVID-19 is very infectious ravaging the globe

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  Millions have been infected and hundreds of thousands lost their lives to COVID-19

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  Due to absence of vaccines, urgent search for vaccines and drugs is still underway

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  Ginseng has been useful in similar respiratory viral infections in the past

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  Current paper throws more light on the need to consider ginseng for COVID-19 control