SARS-CoV-2 Clearance from Andrographis paniculata, Boesenbergia rotunda, and Favipiravir among Mild COVID-19 Cases in Klong Prem Central Prison during Mid-2021: a Retrospective Study

Abstract

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of two herbal medicines, Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees capsule (AP) and Boesenbergia rotunda (Linn.) Mansf. extract capsule (BR), on the rate of SARS-CoV-2 virus clearance among inmates of Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok. Cases with mild COVID-19 were allocated into four groups: four capsules of AP thrice daily (n=30), one capsule of BR once daily (n=30), a combination of AP and BR (AP-BR) (n=30), or favipiravir (n=30) for five days. The primary outcome was time until undetected SARS-CoV-2 infection after starting treatment. The median period of SARS-CoV-2 clearance was shorter in the AP and AP-BR groups (9 days) compared to the BR (11 days) and favipiravir (13 days) groups. No one developed pneumonia; however, one participant in the AP group developed hyperkalemia. Our results suggest that A. paniculata with or without B. rotunda may be used as an alternative treatment for mild COVID-19 when access to favipiravir is limited. Further clinical trials are needed to determine their efficacy and safety.

Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, Boesenbergia rotunda, favipiravir, mild COVID-19