The effect of Phytopaj )Ferula assa-foetida L. oleo gum resin and tragacanth( in patients with COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) 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-19. Materials and Methods: A randomized, single -blinded, controlled trial (RCT) phase 2 was conducted in Mashhad on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this RCT, 122 patients were randomly assigned to either receive a 14 -day oral phytopaj plus ordinary treatment or ordinary treatment only. Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte count (LC) and blood oxygen saturation (PO2) were the endpoints. Results: Mean +/- SD of PO2 in Phytopaj comparison ordinary treatment before intervention was 91.86 +/- 4.62 and 91.41 +/- 9.18, after the intervention it was 93.22 +/- 4.26 and 91.91 +/- 5.92 mmHg; before intervention, mean +/- SD of peripheral blood lymphocyte count was 1015.90 +/- 500.55, and 1104.28 +/- 543.61, and after intervention, it was 1652.27 +/- 921.38 and 1326.12 +/- 719.28/mu L respectively. Conclusion: Phyopaj is most useful in moderate stages of Covid19, and it is not recommended for elderly patients and patients with comorbidity until more insight is gained.