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

Atefeh Abedini; Shadi Shafaghi; Zahra Ameri Ahmad; Elmira Javanmardi; Fariba Ghorbani; Babak  Sharif-Kashani; Farah Naghashzadeh; Masoud Shafaghi; Melina Moshirpour; Sima Noorali; Hoda Hakimian; Mohammad Sadegh Keshmiri; Aylar Fazlzadeh

doi:10.18502/tim.v6i4.8269

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

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v6i4.8269

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.