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A local multi-disciplinary group of scientists have started a research on several compounds, to identify two herbal supplements that may help treat Covid-19.

Vaccines have been developed. The challenge is equitable availability, access and uptake of vaccines. The search for a cure, therefore, must continue in earnest.

The research coordinated by Prof Francis Ndemo-Dean of School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), focuses on two over-the-counter herbal supplements that appear to have shown significant therapeutic value in the management of Covid-19 based on patient testimonials.

The herbal remedies dubbed Antivir-H and IMB have been listed by the drug regulator, Pharmacy and Poisons Board under borderline product certificates No. 1938 and No. 1939 respectively following safety certification.

Ndemo says when taken orally, the supplements have been observed to fight the collapse of the body’s natural immunity system and counters the effects of the Covid.

While makers of the drug caution that these supplements are not scientifically validated cures for Covid-19 and merely one of the many other products developed recently to combat the disease, they claim that Antivir-H and IMB produced remarkable recoveries from majority of the people with Covid-19 tested recently. There are claims of rapid symptom relief and negative CovidD-19 tests.

Coronary system

The two herbal supplements contain antioxidant compounds and antiviral molecules for combating coronary system microbes, including viruses and to fortify the immune system, finally to help fight infections.

Scientists say coronavirus disease is caused by a new strain of virus that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans. The Covid-19 has presented in many parts of the world, including Kenya.

Current medical reports indicate that there is no confirmed drug treatment for the virus, even though a lot of research is ongoing in different parts of the world to identify effective management therapies.

Last September, the researchers led by Dr Eliab Seroney Some, as the principal investigator and principal scientist Dr Amos Mwavita Lewa, received an approval from Kenyatta University’s Ethics Review Committee to conduct a study : An experimental study of acceptance, safety and effectiveness of Antivir-H and IMB natural products on clinical, quality of life and economic outcomes of COVID-19 in Kenya.

However, the study, whose results were scheduled to have been availed within a period of seven to ten months depending on the number of Covid patients at research sites, has been hampered by inadequate funding.

The eight local scientists behind the supplements have advised Kenyans to follow the Ministry of Health protocols on Covid-19 management, as the medical research fraternity tries to understand the new virus and develops models of therapeutic product evaluation, verification and validation.