The effect of Phytopaj )Ferula assa-foetida L. oleo gum resin and tragacanth( in patients with COVID-۱۹: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H۲S) has a positive effect on respiratory diseases. Oleo-gum of Ferula assa-foetida contains this compound. This study assessed the effects of Ferula assa-foetida L. oleo gum resin and tragacanth (Phytopaj) on patients with COVID-۱۹. Materials and Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial (RCT) phase ۲ was conducted in Mashhad on hospitalized COVID-۱۹ patients. In this RCT, ۱۲۲ patients were randomly assigned to either receive a ۱۴-day oral phytopaj plus ordinary treatment or ordinary treatment only. Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte count (LC) and blood oxygen saturation (PO۲) were the endpoints. Results: Mean±SD of PO۲ in Phytopaj comparison ordinary treatment before intervention was ۹۱.۸۶±۴.۶۲ and ۹۱.۴۱±۹.۱۸, after the intervention it was ۹۳.۲۲±۴.۲۶ and ۹۱.۹۱±۵.۹۲ mmHg; before intervention, mean±SD of peripheral blood lymphocyte count was ۱۰۱۵.۹۰±۵۰۰.۵۵, and ۱۱۰۴.۲۸±۵۴۳.۶۱, and after intervention, it was ۱۶۵۲.۲۷±۹۲۱.۳۸ and ۱۳۲۶.۱۲±۷۱۹.۲۸/μL respectively. Participants' age, comorbidity, gender, and stage ofConclusion: Phyopaj is most useful in moderate stages of Covid۱۹, and it is not recommended for elderly patients and patients with comorbidity until more insight is gained.