Clinical Evidence

Oral nano-curcumin formulation efficacy in management of mild to moderate hospitalized coronavirus disease-19 patients: An open label non-randomized clinical trial
   Phytother Res. 2021; 1-8. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7004
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced pneumonia became an international concern. Until now, there is no specific approved treatment for COVID-19. Supportive care and oxygen therapy remain as the main steps for patients suffering from COVID-19. Curcumin (derivative of Curcuma longa) is clinically proved for its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory potential and also possesses antifibrotic and pulmonoprotective properties. Moreover, it has strong inhibitory effects on NF-κB and several proinflammatory cytokines which can reverse fatal cytokine storm that occurs in COVID-19. Thus, considering these features, raises interest on curcumin for management of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.
Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of nano-curcumin oral formulation in mild-moderate COVID-19 patients.

Methods:

The study was an open label non-randomized clinical trial in mild-moderate COVID-19 patients. The subjects were allocated to nano-curcumin (n=21; Sinacurcumin soft gel, contains 40 mg curcuminoids as nanomicelles, two capsules twice a day) or control (n=20) group, supplemented for two weeks.

Results:
  • COVID-19 induced symptoms including fever, chillness, tachypnea, myalgia, and cough resolved significantly faster in curcumin group
  • Oxygen saturation (SaO2) was significantly improved from day 2 during the follow-up and lymphocyte count after 7 and 14 days. Further, duration of hospital stay was shorter in curcumin group
  • None of patient experienced deterioration of infection during follow-up period in curcumin group, but it occurred in 40% of control group
Conclusion

Oral nano-curcumin significantly fasten the resolution time of COVID-19 induced symptoms, improves oxygenation and reduces hospital stay in comparison with control group without any adverse effects.