Coadministration of AYUSH 64 as an adjunct to Standard of Care in mild and moderate COVID-19: A randomised, controlled, multicentric clinical trial

ObjectivesTo compare the co-administration of an Ayurvedic drug AYUSH 64 as an adjunct to standard of care (SOC) and SOC for efficacy and safety in the management of COVID-19. DesignMulticentre, parallel efficacy, randomized, controlled, open label, assessor blind, exploratory trial with a convenience sample. Patients followed to complete 12 weeks of study duration. SettingCOVID-19 dedicated non-intensive care wards at 1 government hospital, 1 medical college teaching hospital and 1 medical university teaching hospital Participants140 consenting, eligible, hospitalized adult patients suffering from mild and moderate symptomatic COVID-19 and confirmed by a diagnostic (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR assay on nasal and throat swab were randomized to SOC or SOC plus AYUSH 64. To be withdrawn if disease becomes severe. InterventionsTwo tablets of AYUSH 64, 500 mg each, twice daily after meals, and continued till study completion. SOC (symptomatic and supportive) as per national guidelines of India for mild and moderate disease. Main outcome measuresTime period to clinical recovery (CR) from randomization baseline and proportion with CR within 28 days time frame; CR defined in the protocol Results140 patients randomized (70 in each arm); 138 patients with CR qualified for analysis. Both groups were matched at baseline. The mean time to CR from randomization was significantly superior in AYUSH 64 group (95% CI -3.03 to 0.59 days); a higher proportion (69.7%) in the first week (p=0.046, Chi-square). No significant differences observed for COVID-19 related blood assays (such as D-Dimer). AYUSH 64 arm showed significant (p<0.05) superior persistent improvement in general health, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, stress, sleep and other psychosocial metrics. 1 patient on SOC required critical care. 48 adverse events (AE) reported in each group. Barring three SAE (in SOC), AE were mild and none were drug related. 22 participants (8 on AYUSH) were withdrawn. No deaths were reported. ConclusionsAYUSH 64 hastened recovery, reduced hospitalization and improved overall health in mild and moderate COVID-19 when co-administered with SOC under medical supervision. It was safe and well tolerated. Further studies are warranted. Trial registrationThe Clinical Trials Registry India Number CTRI/2020/06/025557 FundingCCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India