N-Chromosome Royal Jelly, Propolis and Bee Pollen Supplementation Improve the Clinical Conditions of COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Atefeh Abedini Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Shadi Shafaghi Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Zahra Ameri Ahmad Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Elmira Javanmardi Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart Center, Zanjan University of Medical School, Ayatoullah Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan, Iran
  • Fariba Ghorbani Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Babak Sharif-Kashani Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Farah Naghashzadeh Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Masoud Shafaghi Strategic Planning and Executive Office Management of International Federation of Inventors’ Associations-IFIA, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Melina Moshirpour Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Sima Noorali Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Hoda Hakimian Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Mohammad Sadegh Keshmiri Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Aylar Fazlzadeh Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Royal jelly; Bee pollen; Propolis; Hyperinflammation; Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract

Royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen are used for different purposes all around the world according to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Given that Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral condition accompanied by a dysregulated inflammatory response in the body, we intend to evaluate the effects of natural supplementations on the disease course. A randomized, open-label, controlled trial was conducted among 50 definitive cases of COVID-19. These patients were randomly assigned into control and intervention groups. Royal Jelly, propolis, and bee pollen were prescribed to patients in the intervention group (n = 24) in addition to conventional treatment; while the control group only received the standard treatment (n = 26). At the end of the study, functional class improved in both groups, but this change was more pronounced in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Moreover, total symptoms duration and the time to return to work were significantly reduced in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Although royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen are not definitive treatments in COVID-19 patients, they can be used as an adjuvant treatment to limit disease symptoms and virus propagation.

Published
2022-01-08
Section
Articles