Abstract Background Acute tonsillopharyngitis or sore throat is an initial 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 . Methods 74 patients (age 13–69 years) with acute sore throat symptoms (<48 h) were treated with five Echinacea / Salvia lozenges per day (4,000 mg Echinacea purpurea extract [Echinaforce^{®}] and 1,893 mg Salvia officinalis extract [A. Vogel AG, Switzerland] daily) for 4 days. Symptom intensities were recorded in a diary and oropharyngeal swab samples collected for virus detection and quantification via RT-qPCR. Results The treatment was exceptionally well tolerated, no complicated RTI developed, and no antibiotic treatment was required. A single lozenge reduced throat pain by 48% ( p < 0.001) and tonsillopharyngitis symptoms by 34% ( p < 0.001). Eighteen patients tested virus positive at inclusion. Viral loads in these patients was reduced by 62% ( p < 0.03) after intake of a single lozenge and by 96% ( p < 0.02) after 4 days of treatment compared to pre-treatment. Conclusions Echinacea / Salvia lozenges represent a valuable and safe option for the early treatment of acute sore throats capable to alleviate symptoms and contribute to reducing viral loads in the throat.
【저자키워드】 Antiviral, viral shedding, Antiviral effect, Respiratory tract infections, common cold, Echinacea, sore throat, tonsillopharyngitis, Virusausscheidung, Salvia, Acute therapy, Akuttherapie, Atemwegsinfekte, Erkältung, Halsentzündung, Halsschmerzen,