The Effect of Pomegranate Juice and Sumac Consumption in the Treatment of Outpatients with COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction. COVID-19, an epidemic of coronavirus infection, has become a major global threat. The coronavirus mainly targets the human respiratory system, followed by cytokine storm, and altered immune responses associated with disease progression and adverse outcomes. Sumac and pomegranate juice are rich in bioactive compounds, which potentially have antiviral activities. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of a diet based on the use of sumac and pomegranate juice on the treatment of outpatients with COVID-19. Methods. In this study, 182 outpatients with COVID-19 were randomly divided into two groups receiving a diet containing pomegranate juice and sumac along with standard treatment and the control group (group 2) receiving standard treatment. Results. Consumption of a diet containing pomegranate juice and sumac in outpatients with COVID-19, who were receiving standard-of-care treatment, led to a significant decrease in fever, chills, cough, weakness, smell and taste disorders, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain compared with outpatients with COVID-19 who received only standard treatment. Conclusion. Clinical trials of outpatients have limitations such as patients’ resilience to post-COVID-19 follow-up. However, the use of pomegranate juice and sumac can be efficacious in reducing COVID-19 symptoms. This trial is registered with IRCT20190406043175N3.

Exploring the Impact of Herbal Therapies on COVID-19 and Influenza: Investigating Novel Delivery Mechanisms for Emerging Interventions

“…One study used Viola odorata L. aqueous extract (violet syrup) [36]; one study used pomegranate juice added to SUMAC (a composition of tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, isoflavones, terpenoids, and diterpenes) [37]; one study used Covexir (Ferula foetida oleogum) [38]; one study used Zufa syrup (a composition of Nepeta bracteata, Ziziphus jujube, Glycyrrhizaglabra, Ficuscarica, Cordia myxa, Papaver somniferum, Fennel, Adiantumcapillus veneris, Viola, Viper's-buglosses, Lavender, and Iris) [39]; one study used sachets of Matricaria chamomilla L., Zataria multiflora Boiss., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Ficus carica L., Urtica dioica L., Althaea officinalis L., Nepeta bracteata Benth, and capsules of Rheum palmatum L. rizhome, Glycyrrhiza glabra root, Punica granatum L. fruit peel, Rheum palmatum, and Nigella sativa L. [40]; one study used giloy, swasari ras, ashwagandha, and tulsi ghanvati [41]; one used a multicomponent over-the-counter formulation [42]; one used lacto-wolfberry [43]; one used aged garlic extract powder [44]; one used ephedra herb, apricot kernel, cinnamon bark and glycyrrhiza root [45]; one used ginseng [46]; two used broccoli sprout decoction [47,48]; one used a Chima qingwen decoction [49]; one used elderberry extract orally [50]; and one use posaconazole [51]. The administered doses ranged from 300 mg to 200 g per day, and the intervention period ranged from 4 days to 20 weeks.…”

Exploring the Impact of Herbal Therapies on COVID-19 and Influenza: Investigating Novel Delivery Mechanisms for Emerging Interventions

“…One study used Viola odorata L. aqueous extract (violet syrup) [36]; one study used pomegranate juice added to SUMAC (a composition of tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, isoflavones, terpenoids, and diterpenes) [37]; one study used Covexir (Ferula foetida oleogum) [38]; one study used Zufa syrup (a composition of Nepeta bracteata, Ziziphus jujube, Glycyrrhizaglabra, Ficuscarica, Cordia myxa, Papaver somniferum, Fennel, Adiantumcapillus veneris, Viola, Viper's-buglosses, Lavender, and Iris) [39]; one study used sachets of Matricaria chamomilla L., Zataria multiflora Boiss., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Ficus carica L., Urtica dioica L., Althaea officinalis L., Nepeta bracteata Benth, and capsules of Rheum palmatum L. rizhome, Glycyrrhiza glabra root, Punica granatum L. fruit peel, Rheum palmatum, and Nigella sativa L. [40]; one study used giloy, swasari ras, ashwagandha, and tulsi ghanvati [41]; one used a multicomponent over-the-counter formulation [42]; one used lacto-wolfberry [43]; one used aged garlic extract powder [44]; one used ephedra herb, apricot kernel, cinnamon bark and glycyrrhiza root [45]; one used ginseng [46]; two used broccoli sprout decoction [47,48]; one used a Chima qingwen decoction [49]; one used elderberry extract orally [50]; and one use posaconazole [51]. The administered doses ranged from 300 mg to 200 g per day, and the intervention period ranged from 4 days to 20 weeks.…”

Exploring the research landscape of COVID-19-induced olfactory dysfunction: A bibliometric study

“…A review by Gao et al (2022) reported that topical herbal therapies demonstrated positive effects in the treatment of OD. Additionally, a study by Forouzanfar et al (2022) revealed that diets containing pomegranate juice and lacquer sap were effective in reducing symptoms such as olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in patients with neoconjunctivitis.…”