Potential targets and traditional Chinese medicine treatment strategy of cough after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ABSTRACT

The severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variants BA.5.2 and BF.7 have become the main epidemic strains in China since the quarantine policy was lifted in 7th December 2022. Cough is one of the main symptoms induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated cough injuries the lung and upper respiratory tract, while the infected people cough out virus and liquid which forms virus-containing aerosols, a medium for quickly spreading. Furthermore, cough is one of primary sequelae of discharged patients in corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). By now, there are no efficacious drugs for treatment of upper respiratory tract infection associated cough induced by omicron. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history on treating cough. By reviewing the mechanisms of the occurrence of cough after SARS-CoV-2 infection, potential therapeutic targets and cough suppressant herbs with significant efficacy in clinical and basic research, we provide a reference for the treatment of cough after SARS-Cov-2 infection and a basis for the majority of infected patients to select appropriate herbs for cough relief under guidance of physicians.Copyright © 2023 Editorial Office of Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. All rights reserved.