Community trial of virgin coconut oil as COVID-19 treatment completed —DOST exec

One of the trials of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as a treatment for COVID-19 has been completed, according to an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

In a public briefing on Monday, Philippine Council for Health Research Development executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya said the results of its community trial for VCO are currently being reviewed.

“Tungkol sa VCO, dalawang pag-aaral po 'yan. Yung isa po ‘yung ginagawa sa komunidad sa Laguna. Natapos na po 'yan. At ang datos po ay tinitignan na at pinag-aaralan na,” Montoya said.

“Yung isa pong pag-aaral sa hospital naman para po sa mga moderate cases ng COVID -19 na nangangailangan ng hospitalization, ito ay ongoing pa,” he added.

The clinical trials of lagundi as another possible COVID-19 treatment, meanwhile, have proceeded to Phase 2, according to Montoya. He added that the trials will take two to three months.

“Ang lagundi po ay natapos na ang Phase 1, so nasa Phase 2 na po siya. At ito ay magtatagal ng dalawa hanggang tatlong buwan. Depende po ito sa bilis na makakuha sila ng volunteers,” Montoya said.

Phase 2 involves actual testing of its effectiveness with infected patients, according to Montoya.

Also, Montoya said Phase 1 clinical trials of tawa-tawa as a treatment for COVID-19 are also being conducted.

Aside from the herbal medicines, Montoya said the clinical trials of melatonin as supplementary treatment for COVID-19 have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Ang melatonin po, base po sa mga pag-aaral ay isa pong ginagamit para po makatulog ang mga tao pero ito po ay may mga ibang gamit,” he said.

“Ito po ay posibleng may kinalaman sa COVID-19 para mabawasan po ang immune response na nakakasakit at nakaka-damage po ng mga organs ng may mga COVID-19,’ he added. — BM, GMA News