TYPE: Abstract
TOPIC: Chest Infections
PURPOSE: Since, honey and Nigella sativa (HNS) have established antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, we tested their efficacy for this disease in a multicenter, placebo-controlled and randomized clinical trial at four medical care facilities in Pakistan.
METHODS: RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 adults showing moderate or severe disease were enrolled in the trial. Patients were randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio to receive either honey (1 g/Kg/day) plus Nigella sativa seeds (80 mg/Kg/day) or placebo up-to 13 days along with standard care.
RESULTS: 210 with moderate and 103 with severe disease, underwent randomization from April 30 to July 29, 2020. Among the moderate cases, 107 were assigned to HNS whereas 103 were assigned to the placebo group. Among the severe cases, 50 were given HNS and 53 were given placebo. HNS resulted in ∼50% reduction in time taken to alleviate symptoms as compared to placebo (moderate cases: 4 versus 7 days, P<0.0001 and severe cases: 6 versus 13 days, P<0.0001). HNS also cleared the virus earlier than placebo in both moderate cases (6 versus 10 days, P<0.0001) and severe cases (8.5 versus 12 days, P<0.0001). In severe cases, mortality rate was less than 1/4th of that in HNS group than placebo (4% versus 18.87%, P=0.029). No HNS-related adverse effects were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: HNS, compared with placebo, significantly improved symptoms, expedited viral load clearance and reduced mortality in COVID-19 patients.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The inexpensive over the counter treatment regimen would be a valuable source to lower the burden on healthcare system while significantly dampening impact of the disease.
DISCLOSURE: Nothing to declare.
KEYWORD: COVID-19