In this episode of Nutrition Asia, we dive deep into the topic by speaking to researchers involved in these high-level trials.
Dr Ram Vishwakarma, director of Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR-IIIM), said that the trials would study four ingredients.
They are tinospora cordifolia (heart-leaved moonseed), glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice), and AYUSH-64, which will be trialled on 150 patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
The authorities will also find out if ashwagandha is effective in preventing COVID-19 infection amongst 400 healthcare workers.
“More than 15 leading hospitals across India will be participating (in conducting the clinical trials)
“We will be investing close to US$5m in these studies,” Dr Vishwakarma said.
On the other hand, the Philippines Council for Health Research and Development’s Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCHRD) will be sponsoring clinical trials that use melatonin as an adjunctive treatment on COVID-19 patients.
Led by Dr Rafael Castillo, senior consultant in adult cardiology at Manila Doctors Hospital, the trial is expected to start patient enrolment from July 1.
Dr Castillo told us that this was a follow up of a successful pilot study which has its results published in Melatonin Research. The pilot study involved 10 patients.
“None of the 10 patients, including four with acute respiratory distress syndrome, died. All of them survived.
“Compared to the other patients who were admitted at the same observation period, one-third of the patients died and more than one-fifth of them required intubation and mechanical ventilation,” he said.
Watch the video to find out more.
