Chyawanprash as add on to the standard of care in preventing COVID-19 infection among apparently healthy health care workers - A single arm, longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Chyawanprash in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among health care personnel working at COVID-19 isolation ward. Setting: A hospital designated as COVID-19 care centre in Delhi, India Participants: Apparently healthy health care workers (HCWs) of age 20 to 60 years who were RT PCR negative and asymptomatic but possibly had exposure to active cases of COVID- 19, with or without co-morbid conditions were included. Pregnant and lactating females, volunteers with malignancy, uncontrolled blood sugar, chronic renal failure, chronic heart failure, hematological disorders, and those on immunosuppressants were excluded from the study. Interventions: Chyawanprash, an Ayurvedic rasayana medicine 12 gm orally with warm water twice daily for 30 days along with standard preventive measures adopted by the institute. Primary Outcome: Incidence of COVID-19 infection confirmed by RT-PCR test. Secondary Outcomes: Evaluation of safety of the study drug through hematological & biochemical investigations and occurrence of any adverse drug reaction or adverse events; number of participants developing any other bacterial, viral or fungal infection during the study period and changes in inflammatory and immune markers. Results: At the end of study period, out of total 50 participants enrolled, two were COVID -19 positive. Incidence rate in similar population in the same study setting prior to commencing (9.71%) and after completing the study period (1.79%) was compared with incidence of COVID-19 during treatment period (1.09%). So, Chyawanprash showed protection rate of 98.91%. It was well tolerated by all the study participants, when administered for 30 days. Conclusions: The infection rate at the hospital dropped significantly following administration of Chyawanprash. As Chyawanprash shows potential of a prophylactic agent against infection by SARS-CoV-2 infection, and is safe when used in the recommended daily dosage, a randomized controlled trial to prove its prophylactic efficacy can be designed on larger sample size.