Human clinical trials for lagundi as a COVID-19 supplement were expected to be completed soon.
The human clinical trials on the use of lagundi or Chinese chaste tree as a COVID-19 supplement were expected to be completed soon.
In a report on Manila Bulletin, the clinical trials on the use of lagundi as a COVID-19 therapeutic or supplement were expected to be completed soon.
This was disclosed by Dr. Cecilia Nelia C. Maramba-Lazarte of UP Manila that was conducting the human clinical trials for lagundi.
Lazarte on Friday explained that the human clinical trials have two stages — the placebo-controlled clinical trial and the dose-finding and safety study.
Also, Lazarte said that the dose-finding and safety study was already conducted at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Camp Bagong Final Special Care Facility and at the Quezon Institute.
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At the sidelines of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña’s weekly report, Lazarte said that the result of the “Stage 1” seemed very promising as lagundi was very well tolerated and the feedback from the patients was positive that they’re relieved when the medicine was given to them.
In addition, Lazarte said that they completed almost three-fourths of “Stage 2” and they can finish it soon so that they can fully analyze the data. She also noted that adverse effects from the lagundi treatment among COVID-positive patients were minimal.
“‘Yung Stage 1 na ‘yung dose finding trial eh mukhang very promising naman po, very well tolerated po ang lagundi at maganda po ang feedback ng mga patients na nagiginhawaan sila dun sa pagbibigay ng gamot. So mukhang very promising po sya kaya nagproceed kami sa Stage 2. At the moment, nasa halos three-fourths ng Stage 2 at malapit na namin matapos para talagang ma-analyse ang data,” Lazarte said.
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It was announced last July 2020 that the clinical trials for lagundi were approved by DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
Last April 2020, the Department of Science and Technology began looking into the effectiveness of certain herbal medicines against COVID-19.
Lagundi was widely used as a cough remedy.
Last August 2020, the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the clinical trials for lagundi as a “supplemental treatment” against COVID-19.
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