Table 1.
Overview of medicinal plants clinically effective in managing post-COVID-19 fatigue.
| Medicinal plants in clinical studies | Study type | Pharmacological actions related to post-COVID-19 fatigue | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi decoction | A retrospective study and a case study | 1, Anti-inflammation: targets various proteins, including IL-1β, IL6, CHRM1, OPRM1, MAPK3, VEGFA, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, etc., with a particular emphasis on inhibiting IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in managing post-COVID-19 fatigue. | 62 [66, 67, 68, 69] 70 |
| 2, Antioxidant activity: boosts SOD activity and reduces MDA and ROS levels. | |||
| Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao San | A retrospective study | 1, Anti-inflammation: decreases levels of inflammatory mediators, including IL-2, IL-1β, TGF-β, RAGE, TLR2, etc., with a particular emphasis on inhibiting IL-2, IL-1β, and TGF-β in managing post-COVID-19 fatigue. | 62 [71, 72, 73] 74 |
| 2, Antioxidant activity: exhibits a free radical scavenging activity, inhibits lipid peroxide formation, and enhances SOD activity. | |||
| Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan decoction | A retrospective study | Antioxidant activity: possesses antioxidant properties, reduces the generation of MDA and ROS, enhances SOD activity, and modulates the balance between oxidants and antioxidants. | 62,75 |
| Qingjin Yiqi granules | An RCT | Antioxidant activity: boosts SOD activity and reduces MDA and ROS levels, increases Akt and Nrf2 mRNA expression within skeletal muscle | 63 [76,74] |
| extracts of Eleutherococcus, Rhodiola rosea, and Schisandra | An RCT | Restoration of impaired mitochondrial function: Rhodiola rosea promotes cell apoptosis, arrests the cell cycle in the S phase, and regulates the p53 signaling pathway by reducing Bcl-2 expression, which suggests its potential for alleviating post-COVID-19 fatigue. | 64 [77,78] |
| HRG80 red ginseng | A prospective study | Restoration of impaired mitochondrial function: decreases lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase levels, improves skeletal muscle mitochondrial density and morphology, enhances Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and cytochrome c oxidase activities, activates the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway. These effects lead to restored ATP levels, complex I functionality, mitochondrial membrane potential, and biogenesis, thereby contributing to its anti-fatigue properties. | 79,80 |
| Medicinal plant-based essential oil blend comprising Thyme, Orange peel, Clove bud, and Frankincense. | An RCT | The exact mechanism of action related to post-COVID-19 fatigue has not been investigated yet. | / |