Antiviral plant preparation as a topical treatment for respiratory viral infections in adults and children

On average, of the 57 million (currently more) annual deaths worldwide, more than 25% are directly related to infectious diseases. Of these, more than 90% are epidemics of respiratory viral diseases, including variants of influenza and a new coronavirus infection, as well as HIV/AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, measles, and associated bacterial complications. Of particular importance in the prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections in at-risk groups is the use of plant preparations notable for their safety, absence of undesirable side effects and well studied in the treatment regimens of airborne diseases. The article focuses on an antiviral drug based on a liquid root extract of South African geranium Pilargonium sidoides (EPs® 7630) that meets these requirements. Antiviral activity of the drug was investigated and established in the model of different strains of influenza virus and other respiratory viral infections in cell cultures MDCK, Vero, A549, L 929 and human embryonic fibroblasts, as well as in vivo in a number of randomized clinical trials in children and adults with acute respiratory infections. In addition, EPs® 7630 has proven antiviral effect on the replication of a wide range of respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus (H1N1, H3N2, H5N1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, coxsackievirus and one of human coronaviruses. A review of randomized multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trials conducted in different years in different countries on the effectiveness of EPs® 7630 is presented. Taking into account the results of efficacy trials in the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory diseases conducted in different years, EPs® 7630 is deservedly included in international and Russian recommendations. It is preferred as a universal agent for antiviral therapy and prevention of a wide range of respiratory diseases in children and adults