Effect of Rorrico, extracted from group of Chinese medicines, on influenza A and H1N1 infections.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic and preventive effects of Rorrico on influenza, especially influenza A viral infection, including swine flu (H1N1) in humans. METHODS: Eighty-nine subjects were recruited in Hong Kong and Macau, and divided into treatment group (TG) and prevention group (PG) based on their influenza A and swine flu symptoms. All subjects were prescribed Rorrico or placebo, and monitored by a Chinese medicine practitioner. Blood samples were collected before and after 7-day Rorrico or placebo treatment for laboratory investigations. RESULTS: After treatment, there were some full recoveries and obvious relief of onset symptoms in the TG. Blood test results showed that Rorrico produced (a) no adverse effects on subjects' renal and liver functions, muscle enzyme and hematological status, (b) no up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-a and interleukin-18 in both TG and PG, (c) mild yet statistically significant elevation of plasma mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in PG. CONCLUSION: Rorrico has no up-regulating effect on the participants' immune response, or, equally likely, the immuno-modulatory effects of Rorrico do not non-specifically or unnecessarily promote inflammation when not required. It is possible that oral administration of Rorrico can promote hepatic synthesis of MBL in healthy PG subjects, thereby conferring increased protection against infection.