Efficacy of a Persian herbal medicine compound on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A randomized clinical trial
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Mohammad Setayesh1, Mehrdad Karimi2, Arman Zargaran3
1Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Insights
This study found that a Persian herbal medicine formula, when used alongside routine treatment, significantly reduced hospitalization duration and improved respiratory symptoms in COVID-19 patients. No adverse effects were reported, supporting its use as an adjuvant therapy.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Growing global interest in traditional medicine for COVID-19 management.
- Evaluating the efficacy and safety of a Persian herbal formula for COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of a Persian herbal medicine formula as an adjuvant therapy for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- To determine the impact on hospitalization duration and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Intervention group received herbal formula plus routine care; control group received routine care only.
- Herbal formula included extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Punica granatum, Rheum palmatum, and Nigella sativa.
Main Results:
- Reduced mean hospitalization days by 2.95 days in the intervention group.
- Significant clinical improvement in dyspnea, oxygen therapy needs, and respiratory rate.
- No adverse effects were reported during the 7-day follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The Persian herbal medicine formula demonstrated efficacy as an adjuvant therapy for COVID-19.
- Supports the integration of traditional Persian medicine in managing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Further research may explore long-term effects and broader applications.
Background:
The global attention to the capacities of traditional medicine for alleviating the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 has been growing. The present trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a Persian herbal medicine formula among patients with COVID-19.
Methods:
The present trial was conducted in Afzalipour hospital, Kerman, Iran, from June to September 2020. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly divided into intervention (Persian herbal medicine formula + routine treatment) or control (only routine treatment) groups. The intervention group received both capsule number 1 and 2 every 8 hours for 7 days. Capsule number 1 contained extract of the Glycyrrhiza glabra, Punica granatum, and Rheum palmatum, and the second capsule was filled by Nigella sativa powder. Participants were followed up to 7 days. The primary outcome was the number of hospitalization days, while cough, fever, and respiratory rate, days on oxygen (O2) therapy, and mortality rate were considered as the secondary outcomes.
Results:
Eighty-two patients were enrolled to the study, while 79 cases completed the trial and their data were analyzed (mean age: 59.1 ± 17.1 years). Based on the results, the Persian medicine formula decreased the mean hospitalization days, so that the mean difference of length of hospitalization as primary outcome was 2.95 ± 0.43 days. A significant clinical improvement was observed regarding dyspnea, need for O2) therapy, and respiratory rate in the intervention group. No adverse effects were reported.
Conclusion:
The present study supported the use of the Persian medicine formula as an adjuvant therapy for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Study registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir): IRCT20200330046899N1.
Study Registration:
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir): IRCT20200330046899N1.
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