Open AccessN-Chromosome Royal Jelly, Propolis and Bee Pollen Supplementation Improve the Clinical Conditions of COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Atefeh Abedini,
Shadi Shafaghi,
Zahra Ameri Ahmad,
Elmira Javanmardi,
Fariba Ghorbani,
Babak Sharif-Kashani,
Farah Naghashzadeh,
Masoud Shafaghi,
Melina Moshirpour,
Sima Noorali,
Hoda Hakimian,
Mohammad Sadegh Keshmiri,
Aylar Fazlzadeh
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
traditional and integrative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2476-5112
pISSN - 2476-5104
DOI - 10.18502/tim.v6i4.8269
Subject(s) - propolis , royal jelly , medicine , randomized controlled trial , bee pollen , pollen , honey bee , traditional medicine , adjuvant , biology , food science , botany
Royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen are used for different purposes all around the world according to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Given that Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral condition accompanied by a dysregulated inflammatory response in the body, we intend to evaluate the effects of natural supplementations on the disease course. A randomized, open-label, controlled trial was conducted among 50 definitive cases of COVID-19. These patients were randomly assigned into control and intervention groups. Royal Jelly, propolis, and bee pollen were prescribed to patients in the intervention group (n = 24) in addition to conventional treatment; while the control group only received the standard treatment (n = 26). At the end of the study, functional class improved in both groups, but this change was more pronounced in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Moreover, total symptoms duration and the time to return to work were significantly reduced in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Although royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen are not definitive treatments in COVID-19 patients, they can be used as an adjuvant treatment to limit disease symptoms and virus propagation.