THE ROLE OF HERBAL IMMUNOMODULATORS AS ADJUVANT THERAPY FOR ASYMPTOMATIC AND MILDLY SYMPTOMATIC COVID-19: AN EXPLORATORY CLINICAL STUDY

JAYANTHI CR; AVINASH HR; SWETHA SRIDHAR; AKILA K; SRUTHI NAMBIAR; BABU UV; RAJESH KUMAWAT

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2022.v15i3.44157

Authors

JAYANTHI CR Department of Pharmacology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
AVINASH HR Department of General Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
SWETHA SRIDHAR Department of Dermatology, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
AKILA K Department of Pharmacology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
SRUTHI NAMBIAR Ayurvedic Consultant, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
BABU UV Head of Research and Development, Himalaya Wellness Company, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
RAJESH KUMAWAT Department of Head Medical Services and Clinical Development, Himalaya Wellness Company, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2022.v15i3.44157

Keywords:

COVID-19, Herbal immunomodulators, Tablet septilin, Tablet bresol, Post-COVID-19 illness

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate herbal immunomodulators (Septilin and Bresol) as a possible adjuvant therapy for the treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19.

Methods: Randomized, open-label, comparative clinical study. Subjects were randomized to either arm I [Septilin and Bresol+standard of care (SOC)] or arm II (SOC). This study was registered on CTRI (CTRI/2020/06/025801).

Results: Subjects in arm I showed a greater reduction in levels of interleukin-6 tumor necrosis factor-α following treatment than in arm II. Subjects in arm I showed a greater increase in levels of interferon (IFN)-β and IFN-λ than those in arm II. There was a greater reduction in D-dimer in arm I than in arm II subjects (64.28% vs. 35.59%) and all arm I subjects had D-dimer values in the normal range compared to 70% of arm II subjects. There were statistically significant reduction in lactate dehydrogenase and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in arm I (p<0.016 and p<0.013, respectively). Clinical assessments during the post-illness convalescence period showed significant improvements in fatigue assessment scores and quality of life.

Conclusion: This herbal combination as an adjuvant to SOC may provide additional long-term benefits in COVID-19 infection by reducing inflammation. This treatment may offer a good addendum for the management of post-COVID-19 illness.

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