Efficacy of topical galbanum oil with dry cupping in hospitalized COVID-۱۹ patients: A randomized open-label clinical trial

Objective: This study was designed to detect the therapeutic effects of galbanum oil plus dry cupping (a Persian medicine-based method) in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹).Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, ۶۰ hospitalized COVID-۱۹ patients with positive polymerase chain reaction test (PCR), pulmonary involvement and blood oxygen saturation (SpO۲) ≤۹۳ mmHg, were randomly assigned into two groups to take the standard therapeutic regimen alone or alongside cupping and topical galbanum oil (Ferula gommosa oleo-gum resin) for ۳-۵ days. The SpO۲ level, the severity of signs and symptoms of patients and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.Results: Fifty-eight patients were analyzed. The SpO۲ level changed from ۸۹.۲۷±۳.۸۲ to ۹۰.۲۹±۳.۰۹ mmHg (p=۰.۰۳۸) in control group, while it increased from ۸۸.۷۴±۳.۴۵ to ۹۴.۲۳±۲.۱ mmHg (<۰.۰۰۱) in galbanum group with a significant difference between the groups (p<۰.۰۰۱). Fever, cough, dyspnea, and anorexia alleviated in the galbanum group more than the control (p=۰.۰۰۳, ۰.۰۰۱, ۰.۰۱, and ۰.۰۴, respectively). No adverse effects were reported due to galbanum oil and cupping therapy.Conclusion: Dry cupping with galbanum oil alongside the routine therapeutic regimen could be more effective than the routine therapeutic regimen alone for improving SpO۲ level and alleviating fever, cough, and dyspnea in COVID-۱۹ patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، Cupping therapy ، Hijama ، Ferula gommosa ، Galbanum ، Persian Medicine