Herbal medicine in the treatment of COVID-19 based on the gut-lung axis

Respiratory symptoms are most commonly experienced by patients in the early stages of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, with a better understanding of COVID-19, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have attracted increasing attention. The gastrointestinal tract may be a target organ of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The intestinal microecological balance is a crucial factor for homeostasis, including immunity and inflammation, which are closely related to COVID-19. Herbal medicine can restore intestinal function and regulate the gut flora structure. Herbal medicine has a long history of treating lung diseases from the perspective of the intestine, which is called the gut-lung axis. The physiological activities of guts and lungs influence each other through intestinal flora, microflora metabolites, and mucosal immunity. Microecological modulators are included in the diagnosis and treatment protocols for COVID-19. In this review, we demonstrate the relationship between COVID-19 and the gut, gut-lung axis, and the role of herbal medicine in treating respiratory diseases originating from the intestinal tract. It is expected that the significance of herbal medicine in treating respiratory diseases from the perspective of the intestinal tract could lead to new ideas and methods for treatment.

Graphical abstract: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A33.