Integration of Treatment in Mild Pneumonia from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients, Who Received Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees

Abstract

Objectives: The aim was to determine treatment outcomes of Andrographis paniculate extract (APE) forms toward the adjunctive therapy of COVID-19 infected patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia or COVID-19 pneumonia without hypoxia.

Methods: This prospective study included adults patients who were hospitalized and diagnosed with mild pneumonia from COVID-19 at Kabcheong hospital between June 26, 2021 and August 25, 2021. The outcomes were clinical recovery rates by day-5 using chest X-rays according to the Modified Rama-Co-RADS criteria. All patients were followed until being discharged. The data were collected using case record form. Statistical analyses included frequencies, percentages, means, standard  deviations, and risk ratios.

Results: There were 116 patients recruited in this study with average age of 37.69±10.83 years old. There were 82 patients (70.69%) received the standard treatment plus 180 mg of APE daily for 5 consecutive days while 34 patients (29.31%) received the standard treatment without APE. Patients with mild covid-19 pneumonia (category 4) who received APE had a 76% reduction in risk of progressive infiltration while patients with typical for COVID-19 pneumonia (category 5) had a 92 % reduction in risk of refer as compared to those who did not receive APE.

Conclusion: Andrographis paniculate extract (APE) can reduce progressive infiltration, in patient with pneumonia without hypoxia and patients who are suspected of early or mild COVID-19 pneumonia (category 4). The study was though limited by a small sample size.