Lagundi, a plant commonly found in the Philippines. is set to be used in clinical trials for patients with COVID-19 at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
The Lagundi clinical trials have been approved by the UP-PGH ethics committee and will await clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña announced during his public briefing on July 17, 2020, that the agency had already approved funding for the clinical trials.
A Lagundi-based drug formulated by UP researchers with support from the DOST has been proven to be effective as a medicinal herb treatment for cough and asthma. It has been used in preventing the spread of disease-causing microorganisms, reducing fever, decreasing the viscosity of mucus, improving the color of phlegm, alleviating shortness of breath and wheezing, and lessening the frequency of cough.
The new Lagundi study aims to determine if the herb treatment can also provide relief to COVID-19 patients.
DOST is also funding studies on the use of Virgin Coconut Oil and Convalescent Plasma Therapy for the treatment of coronavirus disease.
The Lagundi trials will run for five months under Dr. Cecilia Maramba of the University of the Philippines Manila.
SEND WELL WISHES in the comments below to DOST and the UP-PGH as they seek to study the efficacy of using Lagundi for COVID-19 treatment.
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