Effect of ArtemiC in patients with COVID‐19: A Phase II prospective study
Elias Hellou, Jameel Mohsin, Ameer Elemy, Fahed Hakim, Mona Mustafa‐hellou, Shadi Hamoud
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, doi:10.1111/jcmm.17337
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which initially emerged in Wuhan-South-eastern China in 2019, is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality among vulnerable patients. 1 This grim situation is mainly attributed to the poor understanding of the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2-induced injury to vital organs, particularly in aged patients with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart failure and respiratory diseases. 2, 3 Critically ill cases are characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and septic shock, as well as multiple organ dysfunction or failure. [2] [3] [4] Human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor serves as the binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 in human host cells, exploiting its high affinity to this enzyme to inflict remarkable damage to key target organs. [5] [6] [7]
AUTH O R CO NTR I B UTI O N S Elias Hellou involved in investigation, writing-original draft (lead), review and editing (lead). Jameel Mohsin, Fahed Hakim and Ameer Elemy involved in investigation (supporting). Mona Mustafa-Hellou involved in investigation (supporting), writing-review and editing (supporting). Shadi Hamou involved in writing-original draft, review and editing (equal).
CO N FLI C T O F I NTE R E S T The authors confirm that there are no conflicts of interest.
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'abstract': '<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Despite intensive efforts, there is no effective '
'remedy for COVID‐19. Moreover, vaccination efficacy declines over time and may be compromised '
'against new SARS‐CoV‐2\xa0lineages. Therefore, there remains an unmet need for simple, '
'accessible, low‐cost and effective pharmacological anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 agents. ArtemiC is a '
'medical product comprising artemisinin, curcumin, frankincense and vitamin C, all of which '
'possess anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant properties. The present Phase II '
'placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded, multi‐centred, prospective study evaluated the efficacy '
'and safety of ArtemiC in patients with COVID‐19. The study included 50 hospitalized '
'symptomatic COVID‐19 patients randomized (2:1) to receive ArtemiC or placebo oral spray, '
'twice daily on Days 1 and 2, beside standard care. A physical examination was performed, and '
'vital signs and blood tests were monitored daily until hospital discharge (or Day 15). A PCR '
'assessment of SARS‐CoV‐2 carriage was performed at screening and on last visit. ArtemiC '
'improved NEWS2 in 91% of patients and shortened durations of abnormal '
'SpO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> levels, oxygen supplementation and fever. No treatment‐related '
'adverse events were reported. These findings suggest that ArtemiC curbed deterioration, '
'possibly by limiting cytokine storm of COVID‐19, thus bearing great promise for COVID‐19 '
'patients, particularly those with comorbidities.</jats:p>',
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