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The efficacy of Siddha Medicine, Kabasura Kudineer (KSK) compared to Vitamin C & Zinc (CZ) supplementation in the management of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives

The primary objectives of this study are to determine efficacy of Siddha medicine, Kabasura kudineer in reduction of SARS-CoV-2 viral load and reducing the onset of symptoms in asymptomatic COVID-19 when compared to Vitamin C and Zinc (CZ) supplementation. In addition, the trial will examine the changes in the immunological markers of the Siddha medicine against control.

The secondary objectives of the trial are to evaluate the safety of the Siddha medicine and to document clinical profile of asymptomatic COVID-19 as per principles of Siddha system of Medicine.

Trial design

A single centre, open-label, parallel group (1:1 allocation ratio), exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Participants

Cases admitted at non-hospital settings designated as COVID Care Centre and managed by the State Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India will be recruited. Eligible participants will be those tested positive for COVID-19 by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR) aged 18 to 55 years without any symptoms and co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and bronchial asthma. Those pregnant or lactating, with severe respiratory disease, already participating in COVID trials and with severe illness like malignancy will be excluded.

Intervention and comparator

Adopting traditional methods, decoction of Kabasura kudineer will be prepared by boiling 5g of KSK powder in 240 ml water and reduced to one-fourth (60ml) and filtered. The KSK group will receive a dose of 60ml decoction, orally in the morning and evening after food for 14 days. The control group will receive Vitamin C (60000 IU) and Zinc tablets (100mg) orally in the morning and evening respectively for 14 days.

Main outcomes

The primary outcomes are the reduction in the SARS-CoV-2 load [as measured by cyclic threshold (CT) value of RT-PCR] from the baseline to that of seventh day of the treatment, prevention of progression of asymptomatic to symptomatic state (clinical symptoms like fever, cough and breathlessness) and changes in the immunity markers [Interleukins (IL) 6, IL10, IL2, Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha]. Clinical assessment of COVID-19 as per standard Siddha system of medicine principles and the occurrence of adverse effects will be documented as secondary outcomes.

Randomisation

The assignment to the study or control group will be allocated in equal numbers through randomization using random number generation in Microsoft Excel by a statistician who is not involved in the trial. The allocation scheme will be made by an independent statistician using a sealed envelope. The participants will be allocated immediately after the eligibility assessment and informed consent procedures.

Blinding (masking)

This study is unblinded. The investigators will be blinded to data analysis, which will be carried out by a statistician who is not involved in the trial.

Numbers to be randomised (sample size)

Sample size could not be calculated, as there is no prior trial on KSK. This trial will be a pilot trial. Hence, we intend to recruit 60 participants in total using a 1:1 allocation ratio, with 30 participants randomised into each arm.

Trial status

Protocol version 2.0 dated 16th May 2020. Recruitment is completed. The trial started recruitment on the 25th May 2020. We anticipate study including data analysis will finish on November 2020. We also stated that protocol was submitted before the end of data collection

Trial registration

The study protocol was registered with clinical trial registry of India (CTRI) with CTRI/2020/05/025215 on 16 May 2020.

Full protocol

The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines (Additional file 2).

Peer Review reports

Availability of data and materials

All patient data will be kept confidential and personal identifiers of the study participants will not be disclosed to the public. Only the study investigators will have access to the study data.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge significant support from the COVID Care Center and Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai

Funding

The research is funded by the Central Council for Research in Siddha, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. The funding body had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

NS, AC, MP initiated the study and concept development. NS, AC, MP, SP, BP contributed to the study design. PP, PM, KK, BP supervised the project. NS, AC obtained necessary approvals. NS, AC, GA, KN and PA involved in the study conduct. All authors contributed to refinement of the study protocol and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Natarajan.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

We certify that this trial has received ethical approval from the institutional human ethics committee of Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, India on May 16, 2020. The purpose of the trial will be explained to all eligible SARS-CoV-2 confirmed patients. Informed consent will be obtained from all eligible participants willing to participate in the trial. Each participant will be informed that participation in the trial is voluntary and that s/he is free to withdraw, without justification, from the trial at any time without consequences and without affecting professional responsibilities. Informed consent will seek approval to collect blood samples and clinical data for the intended purpose of this trial.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

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Supplementary information

Additional file 1.

Full Study Protocol.

Additional file 2.

SPIRIT 2013 Checklist: Recommended items to address in a clinical trial protocol and related documents.

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Natarajan, S., Anbarasi, C., Sathiyarajeswaran, P. et al. The efficacy of Siddha Medicine, Kabasura Kudineer (KSK) compared to Vitamin C & Zinc (CZ) supplementation in the management of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 21, 892 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04823-z

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