The project team tasked to conduct clinical trials on the use of lagundi (Chinese chaste tree) as a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) therapeutic or supplement is expected to complete their data analysis “by end of this month."
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the team, headed by Dr. Cecilia Nelia C. Maramba-Lazarte of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila-National Institute of Health (UP-NIH), is set to conclude its data analysis in the next two days.
“Ilearned from Dr. Cecile Lazarte, for example, that they complete the analysis by the end of this month, that is only two days from now. so that we will be ready with some news regarding this trial,” he said during the second Talakayang HeaRT Beat (Health Research and Technology) of 2021 on Monday, June 28.
In a radio interview, DOST- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) said Sunday, June 27, that the “preliminary” results of the clinical trials on the use of the Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), and lagundi as a COVID-19 therapeutic or supplement could be expected by next month.
Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/27/dost-initial-data-analysis-results-on-vco-lagundi-as-covid-19-therapeutic-expected-by-july/
De la Peña disclosed during his weekly report on Friday, June 25, that the condition of patients with mild COVID-19 who were involved in the country’s lagundi clinical trials has not progressed to moderate or severe cases, and no adverse effects have been observed in the participants, citing the study’s initial data analysis.
In July 2020, it was announced that the clinical trials for lagundi were approved by DOST-PCHRD.
Lagundi is widely used as a cough remedy.