The effects of licorice mucoadhesive patches (Aftogel®) on the results of nasopharyngeal swab real-time PCR test of SARS-CoV-2: a randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background and objectives: Up to present no efficacious antiviral medications have been discovered in order to eradicate SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal tract. In this article, the aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new herbal drug product called Aftogel patch, which contains licorice extract, in the eradication of this novel coronavirus in the nasopharyngeal secretions of the patients. Methods: In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial, 125 patients with positive real-time PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and in stage 0 and/or 1 of COVID-19 were studied in two separate groups, namely interventional and placebo, in which they used Aftogel and placebo patches, respectively. At the end of the study, the results of PCR test in aforementioned groups were assessed and compared. Results: Following the application of Aftogel, Real-time PCR was converted to negative in 53.97% of patients which was significantly higher than that of the placebo groups. (27.40%, P= 0.003). Conclusion: It seems that Aftogel mucoadhesive patch (Licorice extract) is effective in the eradication of SARS-CoV-2 which has colonized the nasopharyngeal area. Hence, this drug product has the potential for evaluation as a prophylactic agent against COVID-19.