Efficacy of Siddha medicine in the treatment of COVID- 19 patients - A pilot study

Abstract

The pandemic triggered by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) invariably questions the health security of people around the globe. It’s also strongly advocates the need for unique health care practice that substantially prevents the infection and practice of controlling the disease transmission. Alternate therapy with viable medications that can adequately strengthen the immune system to enhance the speedy recovery of the patients becomes the need of the hour. Siddha system of medicine is one such versatile practice that emerged before centuries that incorporates the practice of availing potential remedies from herbal and another natural origin. Still, now there is no proper documentary evidence on evaluating the efficacy of Siddha treatment in the clinical management of COVID-19, hence the main objective of the present pilot study is to investigate the potential of Siddha formulations such as Aadathodai kudineer, Thaalisaathi chooranam, Thulasi chooranam, Pavala parpam, Bramaanandha Bairava Maathirai and Thoothuvalai nei in treatment and accelerating the recovery of COVID19 patients. A Study was executed in 25 patients with laboratory- confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The Outcome of the present clinical study signifies that treatment with Siddha medicines significantly accelerated recovery of patients by stabilising the immune mechanism which was evidenced by pronouncing declination in CRP (C- reactive protein), neutrophil, lymphocytes, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatinine, Serum Albumin and Serum Urea level almost back to the normal. In conclusion therapy with Siddha medicines opened a new gateway in the clinical practice on managing COVID-19 due presence of vital phytotherapeutics that showcase multiple pharmacological activities against risky pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.