The Effect of Opuntia Cactus Extract on Hospitalized Moderate COVID-19 Infection: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Due to the high load of the COVID-19 pandemic and its extraordinary mortality rate and some antiviral effects of cactus compounds reported in the literature, the present study aimed to assess the effect of Opuntia cactus on patients with COVID-19 infection and symptoms of disease. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial study. Patients with COVID-19 infection who were referred to Imam Ali hospital, located in Karaj, Iran, were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. All patients received a standard treatment regimen based on the latest guidelines. Patients in the intervention group received 250 mL of Opuntia extract syrup daily. In addition to standard treatment, the control group received only the standard regimen. Patients’ symptoms including coughing, dyspnea, myalgia, headache, weakness, etc., were estimated daily and compared between the two groups. Results: Fifty-two patients participated in the study. The average length of hospital stays was significantly shorter in the intervention group; also, blood oxygen saturation below 93%, fever, anosmia, coughing, headache, dizziness, myalgia, dyspnea, chest pain, and anorexia were significantly less frequent in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Opuntia cactus extract can improve the condition of COVID-19 patients due to symptomatic improvement in patients and decreased hospital stays. Moreover, the duration of most signs and symptoms significantly decreased in the patient group. More clinical trials are also necessary to approve this.