Ayush [Indian System of Medicines] Prophylaxis Against COVID-19: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Second Update).
J Integr Complement Med
; 30(7): 602-619, 2024 Jul.
Article
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| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38422192
ABSTRACT
Background:
Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) system of medicine has been extensively used in India for the prevention and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present report is the second update of a living systematic review and meta-analysis and has been intended to assess the preventive potential and safety of Ayush drugs against COVID-19.Methods:
A search of databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 database, the clinical trial registry-India, the AYUSH research portal, and preprint repositories was performed till March 1, 2023. Randomized controlled trials or analytical observational studies were included. Incidences of COVID-19 infections and mortality were taken as primary outcome measures; and symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, incidences of hospital admissions, and adverse events were taken as secondary outcomes. The risk of bias was evaluated by version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB-2) and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Data were synthesized through the RevMan 5.4 tool, and the certainty of the evidence was ranked through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.Results:
Out of 2350 articles, 15 studies were included in the review. The pooled estimate of Guduchi [Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers], Chyawanprasha, and Ayuraksha kit was obtained. Meta-analysis of the data suggested that Guduchi may reduce the incidences of COVID-19 infections (risk ratio [RR] 0.67 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.48-0.95]) and the symptom development among the infected (RR 0.88 [95% CI 0.73-1.08]), however, no change was observed in hospital admissions (RR 0.96 [95% CI 0.20-4.53]). It is uncertain that Chyawanprasha reduces the incidence of COVID-19 infection (RR 0.28; [95% CI 0.07-1.08]). Ayuraksha kit as chemoprophylaxis may reduce the incidences of COVID-19 infections (RR 0.49; [95% CI 0.32-0.77]). The certainty of the evidence was low to moderate mainly due to the serious risk of bias.Conclusion:
Prophylactic use of Ayush medicines for populations at risk may help to prevent COVID-19 infection by reducing incidence and severity. However, considering the certainty and fewer studies, high-quality studies are still desired to confirm the efficacy and safety of Ayush chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19. Nevertheless, this update will serve as a torchbearer for policymakers, physicians, and other stakeholders for their decision-making through evidence-based medicine.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Medicinas Tradicionales:
Medicinas_tradicionales_de_asia
/
Medicina_unani
Asunto principal:
Pandemias
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SARS-CoV-2
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COVID-19
/
Medicina Ayurvédica
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Integr Complement Med
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
India