AYUSH-64, a drug developed by Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) to cure malaria in 1980, can be useful and effective for the treatment of asymptomatic, mild & moderate COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of AYUSH said.
Ayush Ministry said, “It is extensively studied, scientifically developed, safe and effective Ayurveda formulation this medicine is additionally recommended in National Clinical Management Protocol supported Ayurveda and Yoga which is vetted by National Task Force on COVID-19 Management of ICMR”.
AYUSH 64 comprises of Alstonia scholaris (aqueous bark extract), Picrorhiza, Swertia chirata (aqueous extract of whole plant), kurroa (aqueous rhizome extract) and Caesalpinia crista (fine-powdered seed pulp).
In a virtual news conference, Arvind Chopra, director, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Pune, said the trial of the drug during this direction was conducted at 3 centres.
The trial of AYUSH 64 was conducted at three centres- KGMU in Lucknow, BMC COVID Centre in Mumbai, DMIMS in Wardha and involved 70 participants in each arm. AYUSH 64 as an adjunct to standard of care (SoC) showed significant improvement and thus, lesser period of hospitalization as compared SoC alone, he said.
He said several beneficial effects of the drug on general health, fatigue, stress, anxiety, appetite, general happiness and sleep were also observed.
The Ayush- CSIR Joint Monitoring Committee has also advised the ministry to communicate to state licensing authorities/regulators regarding adding new indication of AYUSH-64 for repurposing in the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases.
Data received so far have shown the effectiveness of AYUSH-64 in dealing with mild and moderate COVID-19. The result of seven clinical studies has also revealed that the drug exhibits early clinical recovery in COVID-19 cases without further progression. In all clinical studies the drug was found to be well- tolerated and found clinically-safe,” Arvind Chopra said.
