Efficacy of <i>Arsenicum album 30C</i> in the Prevention of COVID-19 in Individuals Residing in Containment Areas: A Prospective, Multicenter, Cluster-Randomized, Parallel-Arm, Community-Based, Open-Label Study

Abstract

Objective During the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, non-pharmacologic interventions were the strategies for the prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, had advised Arsenicum album 30C, as a prophylactic to prevent COVID-19. This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective efficacy and safety of the Arsenicum album 30C. Methods We conducted a prospective, multicentre, cluster-randomized, parallel arm, community-based, open-label study involving apparently healthy individuals residing in containment areas of 7 cities of India. Clusters are defined as the population residing in the containment areas, who are under restriction for movement. 42 clusters were randomly assigned at 2:1 to the Arsenicum album 30C group (30 clusters) or to the control group (12 clusters, which received no specific therapy). The medicine was given twice daily for 7 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of COVID-19, as per the case definition notified by the National Centre for Disease Control, Government of India, during three weeks follow-up period. Results The analysis included 32186 individuals residing in 42 clusters (containment areas). A total of 22693 individuals of 30 clusters received Arsenicum album 30C and 9493 individuals of 12 clusters were observed in the control group. Results were similar in the medicine and control groups for age, gender, and comorbidity. The overall protective effect of the Arsenicum album 30C was 80.22% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.16 to 86.44; 40 cases per 22693 [6.04 per 10000 person-weeks] in the Arsenicum album 30C group vs. 84 cases per 9493 [29.78 per 10000 person-weeks] in the control group). The protective effect of the Arsenicum album 30C against laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was 68.22% (95% [CI], 49.64 to 80; 32 cases per 22693 [4.83 per 10000 person-weeks] in the Arsenicum album 30C group vs. 42 cases per 9493 [14.93 per 10000 person-weeks] in the control group). Adverse effects observed in both groups were mild and resolved without medication and sequelae. Conclusion Homeopathic medicine Arsenicum album 30C was associated with a decrease in the incidence and provided some protection against COVID-19 as compared to non-treatment. Further, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials may be conducted to validate the results of this study.

Association between Usage of Prophylactic AYUSH Medicines and Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…Similar observations were also made in previous COVID-19 prophylaxis studies of homeopathic medicine. 27,33 Awareness of the government advisory about AYUSH prophylactics for COVID-19 in more than 60% of the study participants and intake of medicine by 91% of this population reflect on the effectiveness of this governmental strategy in striving to mitigate the pandemic during its first wave.…”

“…Similar observations were also made in previous COVID-19 prophylaxis studies of homeopathic medicine. 27 33…”

“…19,20 The beneficial effect of AYUSH prophylactics in the prevention of COVID-19 has been examined through epidemiological studies in the general population and high-risk groups over time. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] No studies so far, however, have tried to correlate AYUSH prophylactic intake and post-infection disease prognosis.…”

Beyond pharmaceuticals: The untapped potential of homeopathy in the battle against COVID-19

“…The study found promising results, with only 0.74% of workers who received the intervention showing symptoms of COVID-19, compared to 67.87% of other workers and 13.35% of teleworkers who did not receive the intervention. Similarly, a cohort study 18 and a prospective, multicenter, community-based, open-label study involving 32186 individuals in 7 Indian cities 19 both showed that the administration of /textitArsenicum album 30C could reduce the occurrence of COVID-19 and offered some protection compared to no treatment. These findings suggest that further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of Arsenicum album 30cH in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.…”

Brief Overview of Clinical Evidence for Homeopathic Interventions in the Management of COVID-19 Patients

“…Despite some methodological limitations, the results are remarkable: only 0.7% of employees taking the drug showed symptoms of COVID-19, compared with 67.8% of workers at other premises and 13.3% of teleworkers who did not receive the intervention. Furthermore, a cohort study 34 as well as a prospective, multicenter, community-based, open-label study of 32,186 people in seven Indian cities, 35 showed that Arsenicum album 30C had some protective effects against COVID-19 compared with no treatment.…”