Evaluating the efficacy of a traditional Siddha formulation among COVID-infected Syrian golden hamster: An in vivo study

Kabasura Kudineer and COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has overburdened the current healthcare system and highlighted the need to explore potent remedies in traditional medicine systems. 

Objective: The objective of the study is to establish the efficacy of Kabasura Kudineer in a preclinical model for COVID-19: Syrian Golden Hamsters. 

Methods: A total of 19 female hamsters were infected with the virus cell culture through the intranasal route. Four of the 19 animals were mock controls, five were infection controls, four received Remdesivir treatment and served as positive controls, and the final six were given KSK treatment. After receiving the virus inoculation on day 3, the hamsters were monitored for any negative reactions before being sacrificed. The lung pathology and viral load were studied for each hamster. 

Study Registration: FNDR’s Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC), Registration Number 2082/PO/Rc/S/19/CPCSEA

Results: Therapeutic use of intraperitoneal instillation of Siddha formulation KSK reduces the SARS-CoV-2 viral load and associated gross clinical parameters. Results showed a significant reduction of 65% in the viral load for the KSK arm as compared to the infection control. 

Conclusion: We observed that the animals treated with KSK exhibited less severe pathology compared to the untreated infected group. No toxicity or adverse events were observed in the KSK group. This pre-clinical study supports the safety and efficacy of KSK.