An open clinical evaluation of selected siddha regimen in expediting the management of COVID-19 –a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: 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. In this review, we explored the potential siddha strategies for COVID -19 infections. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the additional benefits of siddha drugs Vasantha kusumakaram mathirai, Thippili rasayanam, Adathodai manapagu and Kabasura kudineer compared to the allopathic standard treatment of care alone in COVID-19 asymptomatic, 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 sample size was 100 for each group. RESULT: The average number of days taken for reduction of symptoms showed significant results (P < 0.001) in Siddha add on compared with standard treatment. The real – time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) investigation turned negative for 78.33% in Siddha add on and 33.33% in standard treatment after 11–14 days. Similarly, CT chest, covid pattern lung involvement percentage showed highly significant reduction (P < 0.0001) in Siddha add on treatment. In addition, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) ratio, showed significant reduction (P < 0.01) when analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Renal, Liver parameters were within the normal limits in Siddha add on Group for 25 samples in post treatment. CONCLUSION: Finally, it was concluded that Siddha add on Group showed accelerated recovery for COVID - 19 patients compared to standard Group. The synergistic effect of Siddha add on with standard treatment gave more promising results in the current study of COVID -19.