An Open Clinical Evaluation Of Selected Siddha Regimen In Expediting The Management Of Covid-19 –A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Introduction

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an acute respiratory disease, caused by a novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV), obtained worldwide attention. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the Covid-19 epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern. In this review, we explored the potential siddha strategies for covid – 19 infections. Aim and objectives: To evaluate the additional benefits of siddha drugs Vasantha kusumakaram mathirai, Thippili rasayanam, Adathodai manapagu and Kabasura kudineer compared to the allopathic standard of care alone in COVID-19 mild – moderate cases.

Materials and Methods

The present study was an open label Two arm - randomized controlled interventional clinical study. The Group I patients were assigned to Siddha add on treatment whereas Group II subjects were assigned with standard treatment alone. The patients recruited for the study were Covid 19 RT-PCR +ve patients declared by Tamil Nadu Government and admitted in IPD (in patient ward) at Omandurar Government Medical College Hospital. The sample size was 100 for each group.

Result

Among the gender distribution observed in Group I and Group II, 71, 69 were males and 29, 31 were females respectively. The mean age of patients was observed as 42.98 in Group I and 45.68 in Group II. The average number of days taken for reduction of symptoms after the treatment was 3.21 and 5.13 in Group I and Group II respectively (n=100). The Group I showed significant results (P<0.001) when compared with Group II. The real – time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) investigation turned negative for 78.33% in Group I and 33.33% in Group II patients after 11-14 days duration of treatment. Similarly, the before and after Computed tomography (CT) chest, Ground glass opacities covid pattern lung involvement percentage showed highly significant reduction (P<0.0001) in Group I, when compared with Group II, which showed significant reduction (P<0.001) for the same. In addition, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) ratio, showed significant reduction (P<0.01) when analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Renal and Liver parameters were observed within the normal limits when analyzed after treatment for 25 samples in Group I.

Conclusion

Finally, it was concluded that Siddha add on Group showed accelerated recovery for Covid - 19 patients compared to standard treatment Group. The synergistic effect of Siddha add on with standard treatment gave more promising results in the current study of Covid -19.