Lok Sabha Question No. 4129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Prevention of Corona Virus
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 4129 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH March, 2021

## PREVENTION OF CORONA VIRUS

## 4129. SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR:

Will  the  Minister  of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether specific measures were taken by the Government to prevent infectious diseases and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any rese arch work has been undertaken by the Ministry for developing medicine for COVID- 19 using traditional systems and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to spread awareness about prevention of corona by treatmenthroughalternative medicine system?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a): Ministry of AYUSH has undertaken following measures to prevent infectious diseases -
- i.Ministry of AYUSH issued an advisory on 29.01.2020 on how to protect oneself f COVID - 19 and how to stay healthy. Ministry has written a letter dated 06.03.2020 to Chief  Secretaries  of  States  /  Union  territories  with  more  specific  suggest augmentation of General Immunity of people and about possible AYUSH interventio Ministry has also issued self - care gui delines on 31.03.2020 for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health.
- ii.Guidelines  for  Registered  Practitioners  of  respective  systems  of  AYUSH  have prepared by Research Councils and National Institutes with their team of experts and same is  vetted  by  the  Interdisciplinary  AYUSH  Research  and  Development  Task  Force Ministry of AYUSH. These vetted guidelines are made available in public domain fo benefit of more than 700000 registered AYUSH practit ioners to help in the management of COVID - 19 pandemic uniformly.
- iii. The  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has    also  released 'National  Clinical  Management  Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID -19' prepared by National Task force which in consensus from expert committees from All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Delhi; Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar; Nat Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur ; Central Council for Research in Ayurveda (CC Central  Council  for  Resear ch  in  Yoga  &  Naturopathy  (CCRYN)  and  other  national research  organizations  as  per  the  Report  &  Recommendations  of  the  Interdiscipl Committee.
- iv.CCRAS  has  developed  an  Ayurvedic  formulation  Ayush - 64  for  the  management  in Malaria through systematic proces s of drug development and transferred its technology f commercialization through National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).

(b): Ministry of AYUSH has formed an Inter - disciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task  Force  chaired  by  Prof.  Bhush an  Patwardhan  having  representation  from  scientists including ICMR, DBT, CSIR, AIIMS and AYUSH Institutions. The Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force has formulated and designed clinical research prot for prophylactic studies an d add - on interventions in COVID - 19 positive cases through thorough review and consultative process of experts of high repute from different organizations country for studying four different interventions viz. Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Gud Pippali and a poly herbal formulation (AYUSH - 64).The task force have taken up the proposals received from screening committees of Councils and proactively explored possibilities available  leads.  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  constituted  core  group  of  expe rts  under  the Chairmanship of Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan to identify and propose formulations on COVID - 19 which are in line with Classical Ayurveda principles and have substantial leads on CO - 19 viz. one for prophylaxis as immunomodulatory, another for ma nagement of COVID- 19  with antiviral properties and one product for post COVID - 19 care.

Under the Research Councils and National Institutes of the Ministry of AYUSH, various research studies are being conducted on AYUSH interventions as prophylactic interv entions. The details are at Annexure - I.

- (c):  The  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  spread  awareness  relating  to  optimiza immunity are as details under: -
- i.AYUSH  for  Immunity  Campaign:  Ministry  of  AYUSH    launched  a  three - month  long campaign  called  'AYUSH  for  Immunity'  in  the  month  of  August,  2020  that  aimed  to increase  awareness  among  the  masses,  regarding  the  effective  home  care  solution recommended AYU SH practices, to help them to enhance their immunity. During the en campaign,  series  of  events,  such  as  social  media  contests,  online  discourses  an seminars were carried out, which further increased the reach of Ministry of AYUSH a various sections of the society. It was a theme - based campaign, covering the Aahar, Vihaar and Nidra themes, for the months of September, October and November 2020 respectiv Various outreach activities were conducted by different institutions under the Min ry, for public awareness.
- ii.Updating Website on COVID related remedies: The website of the Ministry of AYUSH an its  autonomous  organisations  were  also  updated  regularly  with  information  on  imm related remedies.
- iii. Holding  webinars  on  virtual  platforms:  Mi nistry  of  AYUSH  through  various  platforms including its own Ayush Virtual Convention Centre (AVCC) held webinars on various to A total of 6 webinars took place from 14th Aug 2020 on the subject of immunity.
- iv.Community Radio programme: Ministry of AYUSHalso engaged Commonwealth Educational  Media  Centre  for  Asia  (CEMCA),  an  Inter - Governmental  organisation  to disseminate immunity related information through Community Radio Stations(CRS) amon rural and semi urban population.  The broadcast of five minutes on CRS was done twice every day from 10/12/2020 to 10/02/2021.
- v. Sanjivani App: Ministry of AYUSH also initiated a novel method to assess the impact information campaign and the effect of Ayush based remedies. The information was col by way of an IT based application, namely Ayush Sanjivani App.

## Details of various studies on COVID -19 being undertaken by Research Councils & National Institutes under Ministry of AYUSH

Moderate

|   S.No. | COVID - 19 Studies                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Evaluation of protective potential of an Ayurvedic Rasayan prevention of COVID - 19 among Health Care Personnel - An open label, Randomized controlled parallel group study                                                          |
|       2 | Evaluation of the efficacy of an Ayurvedic interve ntion (Chyawanprash) in prevention of COVID - 19 pandemic among Health Care Personnel - An open label single arm prospective study                                                |
|       3 | Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Ayurveda Intervention -64)(Ayush in management of COVID-19 infection (Asymptomatic & Mild to symptoms)-An open label single arm prospective clinical trial                                      |
|       4 | A pilot study to assess the efficacy of AYUSH -64 in COVID -19 cases                                                                                                                                                                 |
|       5 | Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Ayurveda Intervention (AYUSH - 64) add - on- therapy for patients with -Covid 19 infection (Stage -I) - A Randomized controlled clinical trial                                                  |
|       6 | A Randomized, Open Label, Parallel Efficacy, Active Control, Trial to evaluate Efficacy and Safety of an Ayurvedic Formulation (AYUSH - 64) as Adjunct Treatment to Standard of Care for the management of Mild COVID - 19 Patients. |
|       7 | A Randomized, Open Label, Parallel Efficacy, Active Control, - Centre Exploratory Drug Trial to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of AYUSH 64 as Treatment to Standard of Care for the management of Mild to Moderate - 19 Patients.      |
|       8 | Impact of Ayurvedic Interventions in prevention of COVID - 19 infection in containment area of Delhi                                                                                                                                 |
|       9 | A prospective non - randomized open label controlled interventional effect of Guduchi Ghan Vati/ Sudarshan Ghan Vati as a prophylactic high risk population (Health Care Workers/ Containment Zone to COVID 19.                      |
|      10 | I mpact assessment of effectiveness, acceptance and usage of AYUSH measures in prevention of COVID 19: An app based study                                                                                                            |
|      11 | A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to evaluate the Safety of Ayurveda Intervention ( Guduchi Ghan Vati ) in the management of COVID - 19 infection (Asymptomatic & Mild to Moderate symptoms)                        |
|      12 | Impact of Ayurvedic intervention (Guduchi Ghan vati) in the Himachal Pradesh -a community - based study                                                                                                                              |
|      13 | Effect of an Ayurvedic formulation as add - on therapy to Standard of Care in 19 positive patients in a tertiary hospital                                                                                                            |
|      14 | A prospective non - randomized open labeled controlled interventional                                                                                                                                                                |

|    | effect of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) as a prophylactic measure among risk population (Health Care Workers/Containment Zone Population) COVID - 19                                                                         |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 15 | A prospective non - randomized open labeled controlled interventional effect of Guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia ) as a prophylactic measure among population (Health Care Workers/Containment Zone Population) exposed - 19        |
| 16 | A prospective non - randomized open labeled controlled interventional effect of Chyavanprash Lehyam as a prophylactic measure among high population (Health Care Workers/Containment Zone Population) exposed - 19                |
| 17 | Prospective non randomized open label control interventional study Ayurvedic Raksha Kit (Chyavanprash, Samsahmani vati & Haritaki) as Prophylactic measure among police personal working in the vicinity of COVID - 19 facilities |
| 18 | Prospective non randomized open label control interventional study Ayurvedic Raksha Kit - 1 (Ayush 64, Samsahmani vati & Chyavanprash) Prophylactic measure among Ayush healthcare workers working in the COVID - 19 facilities   |
| 19 | In- silico evaluation of compounds of an Ayurvedic drug, AYUSH - 64, for their against SARS - CoV - 2 Main Protease.                                                                                                              |
| 20 | A Study of Ashwagandha in the Prophylaxis Against COVID - 19 and its benefits General Health in High Risk Health Care Workers: A Randomized Comparison with Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate (HCQS).                                   |
| 21 | A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to evaluate the cacy and Safety of Ayurveda Interventions (Ashwagandha Tablet and Shunti management of COVID-19 infection (Mild to Moderate symptoms).                         |
| 22 | A prospective open label controlled interventional study on the intervention (Ayurveda Raksha Kit) as a prophylactic measure in the COVID - 19 -A community based study.                                                          |
| 23 | A Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic (Agastya Haritaki and Ashwagandha) and Yoga in long ter m effects of COVID - 19.                                                                              |
| 24 | Evaluation of the immuno - stimulatory potential of Ayurveda management in cohort of Delhi police -An exploratory clinical study.                                                                                                 |
| 25 | Ashwagandha for the prophylaxis against -SARS CoV - 2 Infection: RandomisedHydrochloroquine Controlled Clinical Trial in Health Care - Under CSIR, AYUSH task force AIIA Hospital                                                 |
| 26 | Prophylaxis with Neem capsules (Azadirachtaindica) in subjects coming with COVID 19 patients                                                                                                                                      |
| 27 | Evaluation of Prophylactic Effect of Comprehensive Ayurveda and Mindfulness Based Yoga Regimen among Quarantined Individuals Exposed to 19 Patients - A Randomized Controlled Trial                                               |
| 28 | Evaluation of Prophylactic Effect of Comprehensive Ayurveda and Based Yoga Regimen among Healthcare Work ers of a tertiary care hospital during COVID- 19 -A Randomized Controlled Trial                                          |

A

ers of a tertiary care hospital in Delhi as

Ayurveda

Pune,

(Chyavanprasha,

|   29. | Evaluation of the immuno - stimulatory potential (ShariraBala) of Management Protocol in a Cohort of DDA Residents of Gautampuri - An Exploratory Clinical Study AIIA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|-------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    30 | 'Evaluation of the efficacy of Ayurveda drugs for enhancing overall strength and immunity in health care workers of All India institute of Ayurveda - an exploratory clinical study'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|    31 | Evaluation of prophylactic effect of Ayurveda Interventions in the COVID - 19 Infections in susceptible general population: A single exploratory Study                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|    32 | Identifying the pathological models of COVID - 19 in Ayurveda : Shat kriya Vikar vighata ; bhava a bhava- A Cross sectional study                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    33 | A Prospective, Randomized, Open label Three Armed Clinical study to role of Vasa Ghana(whole Aqueous whole of Adhatoda vasica), (whole Aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia) and Vasa -Guduchi Ghana (whole Aqueous extract of Adhatoda vasica & Tinospora cordifolia management of symptoms and preventing the progression of severity of in SARS- CoV2 tested positive asymptomatic and mild COVID - 19 cases                                                                 |
|    34 | An Open label, Multicentric, Randomized, Comparative, Prospective, Community based Clinical Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Vati as a Preventive Remedy on Healthy Individuals in Pandemic of - 19 (06 containment areas of Rajasthan : Jaipur A, Jaipur B, Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur,                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|    35 | Clinical evaluation of Dabur Chyawanprash (DCP) as a preventive pandemic of COVID- 19 - An Open label, Multi centric, Randomized, Prospective, Interventional Community based Clinical Study on Healthy Apart from NIA, Jaipur ; 5 other Centres: Khemdas Ayurved Parul Ayurveda Hospital,Vadodara,GUJARAT (2 sites), MAMs SS Mahavidyalaya and Sane GurujiArogya Kendra Malwadi Hadapsar , Maharashtra, R A Podar Medical College (Ayu) & M.A. Podar Hospital Mumbai, Maharashtra |
|    36 | Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Ayurveda Intervention (Ayush - 64) add - on therapy for patients with COVID - 19 infection (Stage I) - An Open labelled, Group, Randomized controlled clinical trial In collaboration with of Medical sciences, Jodhpur                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|    37 | A cross - sectional retrospective study on Immunobooster kit Immunity booster capsules and Kwatha) prophylaxis for the prevention D - 19.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|    38 | CCRH has undertaken study with AIIMS, Jhajjar for development new Nosode from COVID - 19. Study is ongoing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|    39 | Community based cluster randomized open level controlled field trial effectiveness of Homoeoprophylaxis nd standard prophylaxis against COVID - 19.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|    40 | Understanding the mechanistic pathways of Homoeopathy medicine 6C & 12C) through in vitro study for their potential application as - viral drug fight against COVID - 19.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|    41 | An evaluation on eff ectiveness of Homoeopathic Intervention as an Add -On therapy in the management of Covid - 19 infection - An Open Labelled Prospective Arm Observational Clinical Trials.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

|   42. | Incidence of Influenza like Illness (ILI) in participants taken 30 immune buster during SARS - COVID 19 Pandemic: A retrospective cohort                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|-------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    43 | A research study proposal on a survey on the effectiveness of Arsenicum as a prophylactic medicine for COVID -19 among the residents of Dharawi,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|    44 | A survey o n the effectiveness of Arsenicum Album 30c as a prophylactic for covid - 19 among the frontline and health care workers of Madurai.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|    45 | A prospective Non -randomized Open label Controlled Interventional effect of Siddha intervention - Kaba Sura Kudineer (KSK) as a Prophylactic among high risk population (Health Care Workers/Containment Zone exposed to COVID - 19 (SIDDHALION)                                                                                                                                                           |
|    46 | A prospective, single centre, randomized open labelled comparative evaluate the effectiveness of Siddha medicine, Kabasura Kudineer and - zinc supplementation in the management of asymptomatic COVID 19 at Government Stanley Medical College                                                                                                                                                             |
|    47 | A randomized open labeled clinical study to compare the effectiveness Kudineer and Vitamin - C Zinc supplementation in the management of SARS - CoV - 2 patients at Govt. Theni medical college.                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|    48 | Retrospective Survival analysis to assess the length of stay of (COVID - 19) patients in GMC & ESIH Coimbatore who were under - Integrated Medicine-Zinc, Vitamin C & Kabasura Kudineer (ZVcKK).                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|    49 | Assessment of prophylaxis offered to frontlin e workers who have themselves in war footing of COVID - 19 in Tamil Nadu who are taking interventions like Nilavembu Kudineer/Kabasura Kudineer.                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|    50 | Awareness and practices regarding COVID - 19 related prevention, control promotive measures among population, Tamil Nadu, India: -Cross sectional study.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|    51 | Case series with Kabasura Kudineer as add on therapy in District COVID at Thirupathi.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|    52 | A prospective, non - randomized, single arm observational study to access and effectiveness of Siddha Sastric Medicines - Fixed Regimen intervention prevention of COVID - 19 disease progression of severity from COVID -19 Positive asymptomatic, mil d or moderate to critical with reference to the Siddha COVID - 19 management, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India at a Home Chennai Containment Zone. |
|    53 | A prospective, non - randomized, single - arm interventional study to assess and efficacy of Siddha Sasthric Medicines - Fixed Regimen in the prevention COVID - 19 disease progression of asymptomatic, and mild at Siddha Centre, Chennai, 2020 (SSM-FiRe).                                                                                                                                               |
|    54 | A Double blinded RCT Namely "A Double Blinded controlled RCT to efficacy Nilavembu Kudineer and Kabasura kudineer in Symptomatic Patients" was planned as a collaborative study with Govt. Science s, Greater Noida and Siddha Clinical Research Unit, New Delhi.                                                                                                                                           |
|    55 | Clinical validation of the 'Immune booster' potential of the Siddha medicine drug, Kabasura kudineer (KSK) in asymptomatic contacts of -COVID 19 cases: a clinical trial at Sri Ramac handra Institute of Higher Studies, Chennai.                                                                                                                                                                          |
|    56 | Efficacy of Pranayama on Positivity rate in people exposed to Covid - 19 patients mental status.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

|   57. | Efficacy of a virtual -video bases, regular yoga programme on the Anti - oxidant immune function and st ress hormone responses in healthy population and recovered from covid - 19 disease.                                             |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    58 | Effect of an integrated Yoga program on stress, mood states, sleep severity, quality of life and clinical outcomes in Covid - 19 positive undergoing conventional treatment.                                                            |
|    59 | Effect of an integrated Yoga program on stress, mood states, sleep severity, quality of life and clinical outcomes in Covid - 19 positive undergoing conventional tr eatment: a Multi - centric trial.                                  |
|    60 | National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore has carried out containment zones for prophylactic potential of Joshanda, Rhemira Ajeeb.                                                                                                |
|    61 | A prospective, interventional, case control study to observe and s fety efficacy of Unani regimen in preventing the progression of severity hospitalized SARS - CoV2 tested positive asymptomatic /mild to symptomatic COVID-19 cases . |