Clinical Trials on Alternative Medicines for COVID-19

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2022 Jun 29:295:366-369. doi: 10.3233/SHTI220740.

Abstract

In this study, we addressed the alternative medications that have been targeted in the clinical trials (CTs) to be evidenced as an adjuvant treatment against COVID-19. Based on the outcomes from CTs, we found that dietary supplements such as Lactoferrin, and Probiotics (as SivoMixx) can play a role enhancing the immunity thus can be used as prophylactics against COVID-19 infection. Vitamin D was proven as an effective adjuvant treatment against COVID-19, while Vitamin C role is uncertain and needs more investigation. Herbals such as Guduchi Ghan Vati can be used as prophylactic, while Resveratrol can be used to reduce the hospitalization risk of COVID-19 patients. On the contrary, there were no clinical improvements demonstrated when using Cannabidiol. This study is a part of a two-phase research study. In the first phase, we gathered evidence-based information on alternative therapeutics for COVID-19 that are under CT. In the second phase, we plan to build a mobile health application that will provide evidence based alternative therapy information to health consumers.

Keywords: Alternative medicine; COVID-19; Clinical trial; Coronavirus.

MeSH terms

  • Ascorbic Acid
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Complementary Therapies*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy
  • Resveratrol / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Resveratrol