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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doi:10.1164/rccm.202001-0179LEDOI record:
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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 lineages. 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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