An open-label prospective interventional study to assess the prophylactic effect of Guduchi Ghan Vati in COVID-19: A community-based study in containment zone of Himachal Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND: Several studies have proven the immunomodulatory action of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). Immunomodulation strategy is a crucial requirement to control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Therefore, Guduchi Ghan Vati (GGV), tablets prepared from water extract of T. cordifolia, is selected to prevent COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to know the prophylactic effect of Ayurvedic intervention, that is GGV, in preventing COVID-19 infection among the community of containment areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was an open-label, prospective, nonrandomized, community-based interventional study carried out from May 6 to June 23, 2020, in a containment zone (Bijhari) of District Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India. GGV was given to the community in the dose of 500 mg twice a day with lukewarm water on an empty stomach for 30 days. The demographic and health-related data of the participants were collected using Google forms, and follow-up was done on the 30th day through telephonic interviews. RESULTS: A total of 1165 participants’ data were analyzed to assess the prophylactic effect of GGV. In the sample, 85.2% of participants had no systemic disorders, whereas 13.8% took concomitant medicines for other morbidities. The incidence of COVID-19-positive cases was only 0.1% (n = 01). CONCLUSION: Ayurvedic intervention GGV was found to have prophylactic potential against COVID-19 infection.