A Pharmacological Review of Siddha Classical Preparations for the Management of COVID-19 at TPEC COVID Care Centre, Vellore

Abstract

Despite the threat of coronavirus infection, the Siddha system of medicine, India's traditional medicine, plays an important role in southern India, particularly in Tamilnadu. It contributed considerably not only in the first wave of Covid-19, but also in the second wave. The Government of Tamilnadu developed Siddha COVID-19 treatment centers for asymptomatic, mild, and moderate COVID-19 positive patients in 2020. The TPEC COVID Care Centre initiated at Vellore also one of the Centers that can be managed by Siddha medicines and Siddhar’s Yogam. As of July 14, 2021, about 4525 COVID positive patients had been treated with Siddha integrated treatment at Vellore alone in the first and second waves. Kaba Sura Kudineer, Thalisathy Vadagam, Amukkara Chooranam Mathirai, Bramanandha Bairavam Mathirai, and Adathodai Manapagu are indeed the five Siddha classical preparations used to manage the symptoms of COVID-19 positive patients at TPEC COVID Care Centre in Vellore. This Siddha medical practice is effective in conditions of symptoms and helps in the reduction of clinical outcomes. A pilot study at the same site confirmed the Siddha classical preparation's safety and effectiveness. A feedback analysis study performed at the same center also revealed that the above-mentioned Siddha classical preparations are beneficial in symptomatic treatment without causing any side effects. The medicines utilized in this study are typically proposed in other COVID care centers also in Tamilnadu. This review attempted to analyze the preclinical and clinical efficacy of Siddha Classical medicines used at that Centre for the management of COVID-19.

Safety and efficacy of a Siddha Medicine fixed regimen for the treatment of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients

“…The increased IL6 levels in pre and post-treatment show that IL6 plays a major role in this SARS-CoV-2 infection ( 41 , 42 ). IL-6 has been identified to play a key role in the stimulation of cytokine storms and the progression of COVID-19 causing alveolar damage and extrapulmonary injury ( 41 ) The published literature relates the association of increased IL-6 with progression to severe stage of illness, and an elevated serum biomarkers CRP, D-dimer associated with a poor outcome in COVID-19 ( 43 , 44 ). Even though the drug regimen is not observed to inhibit IL6 levels, still it has proven its efficacy towards the reduction in disease progression to severe stage.…”

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“…Sulekha reported Amukkara remedy for diseases and infections specific to women's health 15 . Amukkara Chooranam Mathirai possesses anti-diarrheal activities and helps to minimize depressive symptoms while receiving treatment for COVID-19 in TPEC COVID care center at Vellore 16 . A commercial sample of AMC was investigated and validated in the present work for its organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical characteristics, and flavonoid content.…”