Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 virus caused COVID-19 pandemic with 218 million cases and 45 million deaths world over. It has challenged the already overburdened healthcare systems and created an urgent need to investigate solutions present in other healthcare systems. In this study Kabasura Kudineer is investigated as an intervention to influence the immune response which is beneficial for the host and stop the viral replication. Methods: Kabasura Kudineer is a polyherbal formulation containing 15 herbal drugs mixed in equal quantity. It is an official Siddha formulation, used for phlegmatic fevers and flu-like symptoms. To conduct this study Vero E6 (CL1008), the African monkey kidney epithelial cell line was taken and infected with SARS-CoV-2 viral isolate. The Kabasura Kudineer was added in different concentrations; 0.5 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL, 0.12 mg/mL, 0.06 mg/mL and 0.03 mg/mL to the infected cells respectively. These cell plates were incubated for 3 days in 5% CO2 incubator. Remdesivir was used as a positive control. The cells were fixed with formaldehyde, stained with crystal violet and plaques were visualised. Plaques were counted as PFU/ml. Result: Kabasura Kudineer was found to exhibit good antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The highest antiviral activity was 81.5% at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. The IC-50 value was found to be 0.2 mg/mL. Conclusion: The antiviral efficacy of Kabasura Kudineer in our study showed reduction in the viral load which supports the results of clinical studies. Kabasura Kudineer can be used widely in a clinical setting as a treatment for COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has overburdened current healthcare system and highlighted the need to explore potent remedies in Traditional medicine systems. Kabasura Kudineer (KSK), a poly herbal Siddha medicine, has shown great potential in treating COVID-19.Objective: The objective of the study is to explore the safety and efficacy of Kabasura Kudineer in a preclinical model for COVID-19: Syrian Golden Hamsters.Methods: This research study investigates the in vivo efficacy and safety of the well-known antiviral Siddha medicine KSK as a powdered tablet on COVID-19 infected Syrian golden hamsters. A total of 19 female hamsters were infected with the virus cell culture through intranasal route. 4 out of 19 animals were mock controls, 5 were infection controls, 4 were treated with remdesivir and acted as positive controls and remaining 6 were treated with KSK. The hamsters were observed for any adverse events, followed by their sacrifice on day 4 after inoculation with the virus. The lung pathology and viral load was studied for each hamster.Results: Therapeutic use of intraperitoneal instillation of Siddha formulation KSK reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral load and associated gross clinical parameters. Results showed significant reduction of 65% in the viral load for the KSK arm as compared to the infection control.Conclusion: We observed that the animals treated with KSK exhibited less severe pathology compared to the untreated infected group. No toxicity or adverse events were observed in the KSK group. This pre-clinical study supports the safety and efficacy of KSK.Study Registration: FNDR’s Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC), Registration Number 2082/PO/Rc/S/19/CPCSEA

Background The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic is a highly contagious and rapidly mutating virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions globally over the last 18 months and continues to overwhelm the healthcare system in several countries to date. The healthcare and scientific community has been vigorously searching for ways to manage the disease. Several solutions based on traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda are also being explored for their effectiveness in managing COVID-19. The study explored the efficacy of a 19 ingredient Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation called NOQ19, on the recovery of mild, RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients. Methods This was a prospective, double blind, randomized control trial that included 92 patients with a RT-PCR positive mild case of COVID-19. The patients were enrolled from rural areas of Karnataka, a state in India. The patients were randomized between the NF2 and placebo arms, in a 1:1 ratio, and were provided their respective intervention, along with the standard of care treatment (SOC). The trial took place at the Community Care Center, Konnanuru, Hassan, Karnataka. The study duration was around 2 months and the follow-up period for an individual patient was 14 days. RT-PCR analysis was done at baseline, Day 3, 7 and 10. Blood markers to track inflammation were assessed at baseline, Day 3 and 7. Result A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups with regards to the percentage of population who turned RT-PCR negative on Day 3 and Day 10. On all three assessment time points (Day 3, 7 and 10), the NF2+SOC arm showed a greater percentage of population who were RT-PCR negative compared to the placebo+SOC arm: Day 3 (NF2 -19%, Placebo - 0%) ; Day 7 (NF2- 41%, Placebo - 19%) ; Day 10 (NF2-73%, Placebo 44%). No significant changes were observed in blood markers for both the groups. Conclusion NF2 administered along with standard of care treatment aided early recovery from COVID-19 as demonstrated by a higher percentage of population who were RT-PCR negative on Day 3, 7 and 10. No side effects were observed during the entire study duration. Early recovery of patients is essential for rational usage of limited healthcare resources in a pandemic.

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected millions of people globally, overwhelming the pharmaceutical industry and health care systems. The resulting crisis has highlighted the need for modern and traditional medicine systems to work together to find effective solutions quickly. Modern systems of medicine are primarily oriented towards symptomatic treatment, whereas the traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda emphasize prevention as well as treatment.Patients and methodsNF2 is polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation consisting of 19 ingredients from 13 herbs. 50 patients with confirmed symptomatic or asymptomatic case of COVID-19, reporting to the study site were invited to participate in a double blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. The study duration was around 3 months, and the intervention period for an individual patient was 10 days.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed in the NF2 arm in comparison to the placebo arm. On Day 5, the population in the NF2 arm showed a complete recovery from sputum formation, sore throat, headache and fever. By Day 10, 90-100% of the population in the NF2 arm showed a complete recovery from all symptoms, unlike the control arm.ConclusionNF2 facilitated a complete recovery from all clinical features of COVID-19 faster, when compared to the control. No side effects were observed during the entire study duration.