Alben Sigamani*, Sangeetha Sampath Kumar, K Sunil Naik
Aim: Long COVID becomes an economic and public health challenge that affects the daily activities and quality of life of millions of COVID-19 survivors. Long COVID symptoms, particularly persistent fatigue, appear to be associated with a chronic state of inflammation. Based on the anti-inflammatory property of Tinospora cordifolia, CelWel has the potential to improve the symptoms of Long COVID. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of CelWel in patients with Long COVID.
Methods: This was a non-randomized, open-label pilot study with 15 COVID-19 infected male and female subjects who had Long COVID symptoms. Subjects were given 0.4 mL of the CelWel supplement 4-6 times per day for 14 days. The severity of Long COVID symptoms was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale Questionnaire (FSSQ) and the Yorkshire COVID-19 Rehabilitation Screening Test (C19-YRS) before and after treatment. In addition, plasma levels of pro inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and the post-acute sequelae score of COVID-19 (PASC) were assessed. Safety parameters such as adverse events, haematology, and serum biochemistry were evaluated.
Results: Results showed that all COVID-19 survivors had higher FSSQ, C19-YRS, and PASC scores a Long with elevated plasma levels of pro inflammatory cytokines and chemokines before treatment. CelWel supplementation for 14 days significantly reduced FSSQ and C19-YRS scores and plasma cytokine and chemokine levels. Furthermore, with CelWel treatment, PASC scores showed a decreasing trend in 11 (73%) subjects, while 4 subjects showed a reverse trend. All laboratory safety parameters were within the normal range, and no adverse events were reported during the study period.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the CelWel supplement is a viable and safe option for reducing the severity of symptoms in patients with Long COVID.