Madagascar’s Herbal Mixture Cannot Cure COVID-19 – NIPRD

The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has said the herbal cure from Madagascar, ‘COVID Organics’, cannot cure COVID-19.
It said this after evaluation and analysis of the cure. The Institute said the drug, which contains majorly Artemisia annua, reduces frequency of cough with maximum dose, producing an effect equivalent to that produced by the centrally acting cough-suppressant, dihydrocodeine.
It however said it will further investigate the drug’s effect on tracheal mucus expectoration.
“Safety studies show that COVID ORGANICS (CVO) products do not alter the normal physiology of the animals.
“CVO caused a significant decrease in the platelet counts although the values are within the physiological range for Wistar rats,” the institute said.
“The increase in alkaline phosphatase observed in the CVO female group may indicate a cause of concern although the values are within the physiological ranges for Wistar rats and this was not observed in the organs.
“On the whole CVO can be considered safe based on the model used which did not cover other routes of administration, effects of long-term use, or organ histological evaluation of the test systems.
“CVO reduced cough frequency with the maximum dose tested producing an effect equivalent to that produced by the centrally acting cough-suppressant, dihydrocodeine.
“To further characterise this product based on its effect on the respiratory tract, it will be important to investigate its effect on tracheal mucus expectoration.
“While CVO dose-dependently reduced general febrile response, the effect was not sustained and was less than for indomethacin.”
Dr Obi Adigwe, the Director-General of NIPRD, said Madagascar is hiding things about the mixture, saying it is likely they do not have any proof that the mixture works.
”The analysis we gave in our report is more detail than anything that had come from their country.
“They are hiding the analysis of their own product. If you go online, you cannot get the level of analysis that we gave.
“They are hiding a lot of things and I think it is possible that they know that they don’t have strong science backing up their claim. But our own analysis does not show any proof that it can cure COVID-19,” Adigwe said.