The Effect of Tang Forte (Royal Jelly) Capsule on Hypoglycemia and Clinical Course in COVID-19 Patients Under Corticosteroid Therapy

Abstract

Corticosteroids improve the complications of Covid-19 but may cause some side effects such as hyperglycemia. Royal jelly is one of the bee products that exert anti-inflammatory, insulin-like, and hypoglycemic activities. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of royal jelly capsules on blood sugar and the clinical course of Covid-19 in the patients receiving corticosteroid therapy. In this clinical trial, 72 Covid-19 patients with positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and pulmonary involvement hospitalized in Shahrekord Hajar Hospital were enrolled and randomized into two groups: treatment (receiving corticosteroids and Royal Jelly 1000 mg capsules daily for 7 days) and placebo (given corticosteroids and placebo). Laboratory tests, blood sugar, and clinical courses were determined and compared. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. On day 7 after the onset of the intervention, the dosage and frequency of insulin, FBS level, and required corticosteroid showed a decrease in both groups but the inter-group difference was not significant ( P > .05). As well, the Spo2 level indicated a non-significant increase and hospital stay length indicated a non-significant decrease in the intervention group ( P > .05). Among the symptoms, only headache, cough, and dyspnea indicated an improvement in the intervention group ( P < .05). Overall, the results indicated the short-term consumption of royal jelly could not significantly improve blood sugar and the clinical course of Covid-19; however, it could significantly improve headache, cough, and dyspnea in the patients.

Royal Jelly: Biological Action and Health Benefits

“…RJ contains compounds functionally and structurally similar to insulin [ 160 ]. Moreover, as one of the most powerful therapeutic formulations with regenerative features, RJ may regenerate damaged pancreatic cells and prevent the development of diabetes [ 60 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 ].…”

“…Moreover, as one of the most powerful therapeutic formulations with regenerative features, RJ may regenerate damaged pancreatic cells and prevent the development of diabetes [ 60 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 ]. The regeneration of pancreatic cells and preservation of insulin levels are key factors in lowering blood glucose [ 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 ]. In the Otsuka Long–Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat model of type 2 diabetes, the long-term usage of RJ was effective in the prevention of insulin resistance [ 166 ].…”