The effects of add-on therapy of Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) on laboratory confirmed COVID-19 Cases: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and pulmonary involvement in Ahvaz, Iran. The intervention arm had 31 participants randomized and 30 analyzed/completed.

Adults in the active arm received oral Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) as add-on therapy to routine COVID-19 care for 10 days, described as either a 2 g sachet powder given every 12 hours or 100 cc Amla tea daily. The comparator received matching placebo sachets every 12 hours plus standard treatment.

Amla did not significantly improve the primary virologic endpoint, with final RT-PCR negativity in 60% of the intervention arm versus 36.7% of controls (P=0.07). However, it was associated with a shorter length of stay (4.44 days vs 7.18 days; P<0.001), improved oxygen saturation (92.70±2.67 to 97.30±1.05; P<0.001), and better inflammatory/clinical profiles, including CRP negativity in 76.7% versus 40% in controls. No adverse effects were reported in either group. Overall, the findings suggest a clinically favorable adjunct effect despite no clear effect on RT-PCR conversion or lung involvement on imaging.

The study was small, single-country, and short duration (10 days), which limits generalizability and precision. The primary RT-PCR outcome was not statistically significant, and several reported changes were within-arm findings rather than clearly demonstrated between-group effects. The intervention description also suggests more than one Amla preparation, adding some regimen ambiguity.