Efficacy of TCM Capsules Lian Hua Qing Wen Jiao Nang in Mild COVID-19 Patients

Assessing the Efficacy of TCM Capsules Lian Hua Qing Wen Jiao Nang as Adjuvant Treatment in Mild COVID-19 Patients on Home Recovery Program in Singapore: a Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study

This research aims to investigate the adjuvant effect of LH in reducing the symptomatic duration of fully vaccinated, mild COVID-19 patients on home recovery program in Singapore. It is aimed to assist policymakers in incorporating clinically proven TCM treatment for mild COVID-19 patients on home recovery program, and establishing a guideline on TCM pandemic treatment protocol which is suitable to be integrated into the healthcare system.

Importance With the emergence of Covid-19 variants and despite having 93% population vaccination rate, the daily number of community cases in Singapore is still surging. Lian Hua Qing Wen Capsules (LH) was reported to have effective inhibitory action on Delta SARS-CoV-2 in-vitro. Due to limited availability and prioritisation of approved anti-viral drugs (Paxlovid) to moderate and severe inpatients, validating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) intervention LH as a good adjuvant treatment for local population on home recovery program is important.

Objectives This research aims to investigate the adjuvant effect of LH in reducing the symptomatic duration of fully vaccinated, mild COVID-19 patients on home recovery program in Singapore. It is aimed to assist policymakers in incorporating clinically proven TCM treatment for mild COVID-19 patients on home recovery program, and establishing a guideline on TCM pandemic treatment protocol which is suitable to be integrated into the healthcare system.

Hypothesis The investigators hypothesize TCM intervention could shorten (1) the time of 8 major clinical symptoms of COVID-19 to no symptoms and (2) lesser days to COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) negativity by 1.5 times in mild COVID-19 patients on home recovery program.

Methods 300 eligible participants will be enrolled. Equal number of participants will be randomised and double blinded in the two arms of placebo control and LH, both with standard care. Communication and consultation will be conducted through telecommunication. Primary outcome measures time to no symptoms. Secondary outcomes measure days to ART negativity, symptom severity scores and risk ratio. Exploratory outcomes include days of TCM Excess syndromes (symptoms caused by pathogenic factors) will be collated.

Significance Adjuvant treatment of mild COVID-19 patients can shorten symptomatic duration, slow disease progression, mitigate post-isolation COVID-19 symptoms, and allow isolated individuals to return to the community earlier.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants of age 21 to 79 years, all gender and races.
2. Participant provides informed consent prior to initiation of any study procedures.
3. Fully vaccinated (according to latest MOH criteria. Refer to Appendix 1) and qualified for Protocol 2 Primary Care (P2PC) (Appendix 2).
4. Documentation of confirmed active SARS-CoV-2 infection, as determined by PHPC and MOH.
5. Mild COVID-19 experiencing at least one SARS-CoV-2 infection symptom within the first two days of COVID-19 diagnosis including symptoms of mild illness with COVID-19 (based on Questionnaire 6.2) that could include fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, without shortness of breath or dyspnea, with stable vital signs.
6. Agrees to not participate in another clinical trial for the treatment of COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 during the study period up until reaching hospitalization or 28 days, whichever is earliest.
7. Agrees to not utilize TCM or other alternative medicine and supplements outside of this study during the 7-day period.
8. Willing to be randomized to LH and PC arm for 7 days and followed up to 28 days.
9. Willing to comply with the study related questionnaires, procedures, and measurements.
10. Willing to not become pregnant during the 7 days of LH ingestion using appropriate accepted methods of contraception. Acceptable methods of contraception include: postmenopausal 1 year of amenorrhea and over 50 years of age; prior tubal ligation or hysterectomy; or barrier contraception using condom or diaphragm plus spermicide.
11. Able to provide the identity of their health care provider or health system clinical care entry information (if any).
12. Able to utilize telephone, WhatsApp apps and/or Online platform (Zoom/ VooV) to comply with the study related questionnaires, procedures, and measurements, established during the recruitment process.
13. Able to speak and communicate in basic English.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Not fully vaccinated (according to latest MOH criteria. Refer Appendix 1).

2. Patients classified under Protocol 1 according to latest MOH Criteria (Appendix 2) or required hospitalisation (based on PI/Co-I's diagnosis).

3. TCM syndrome of cold deficiencies in spleen and stomach (for example: long-term loose stool), qi and blood debilitation (for example: long-term dizziness).

4. Positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular test in the absence of COVID-19 symptoms from day 1 (Asymptomatic), PCR/ ART test is negative.

5. Moderate, Severe or Critical COVID-19:

   1. Moderate Covid-19: Individuals who show evidence of lower respiratory disease during clinical assessment or imaging and who have an oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥94% on room air at sea level.
   2. Severe COVID-19: Symptoms suggestive of severe systemic illness with COVID-19, which could include any symptom of moderate illness or shortness of breath at rest, or respiratory distress
   3. Clinical signs indicative of severe systemic illness with COVID-19, respiratory rate ≥ 30 breaths per minute, heart rate ≥ 125 beats per minute, SpO2 ≤ 93% on room air at sea level or respiratory PaO2/FiO2 < 300.

6. Critical COVID-19; Evidence of critical illness, defined by at least one of the following:

   1. Respiratory failure defined based on resource utilization requiring at least one of the following: Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, oxygen delivered by high flow nasal cannula (heated, humidified, oxygen delivered via reinforced nasal cannula at flow rates > 20 L/min with fraction of delivered oxygen ≥ 0.5), non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, ECMO, or clinical diagnosis of respiratory failure (i.e., clinical need for one of the preceding therapies, but preceding therapies not able to be administered in setting of resource limitation).
   2. Shock (defined by systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure < 60 mm Hg or requiring vasopressors).
   3. Multi-organ dysfunction/failure.

7. Use of drugs for anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatment including remdesivir, baricitinib, lopinavir/ritonavir fixed dose combination, ribavirin, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin, dexamethasone, bamlanivimab, casirivimab plus imdevimab convalescent plasma, or participation in a clinical trial involving any of these drugs whether for treatment or prophylaxis.

8. Participating in a study where co-enrolment is not allowed.

9. Known allergy/sensitivity or any hypersensitivity to components of LH or standard care medication.

10. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements.

11. Has known prior kidney disease.

12. Has known cirrhosis, acute liver disease or uncontrolled chronic liver disease.

13. Has known narrow angle glaucoma.

14. Has Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

15. On psychiatric medication including Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

16. If has (a) three or more co-morbidities / chronic conditions even if they are under controlled, or (b) one uncontrolled chronic condition. Chronic diseases include cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease), hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic thyroid disease, immunocompromised (HIV or daily users of more than 5 mg/day of prednisone), prior organ transplant, epilepsy.

17. Currently undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or immuno-therapy treatment.

18. Fulfils the MOH criteria of at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19.

19. Women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.