Reduction of viral load in patients with acute sore throat: results of an observational clinical study with Echinacea/Salvia lozenges
Acute tonsillopharyngitis or sore throat is an early sign of viral respiratory tract infection (RTI) and an optimal indicator for early antiviral and anti-inflammatory intervention. Both of these actions have been attributed to Echinacea purpurea and Salvia officinalis.
In this study, 74 patients aged 13 to 69 years with acute sore throat symptoms (<48 h) were treated with five Echinacea/Salvia tablets daily (4’000 mg Echinacea purpurea extract and 1’893 mg Salvia officinalis extract daily) for 4 days.
Symptom intensities were recorded in a diary and oropharyngeal swab samples collected for virus detection and quantification by RT-qPCR.
The treatment was exceptionally well tolerated, no complicated respiratory tract viral infection developed, and no antibiotic treatment was required.
A single tablet reduced throat pain by 48% (p<0.001) and tonsillopharyngitis symptoms by 34% (p<0.001). Eighteen patients tested positive for the virus at inclusion.
Viral load in these patients was reduced by 62% (p<0.03) after taking a single tablet and by 96% (p<0.02) after 4 days of treatment compared with pretreatment.
In conclusion, Echinacea/Salvia lozenges are a viable and safe option for the early treatment of acute sore throat that can relieve symptoms and help reduce the viral load in the throat.
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