The Effect of Supplementation with boron-containing compounds and Oleoylethanolamid on Patients with Known COVID-19: pilot study

Abstract

Among the common supplements, boron and oleylethanolamide compounds can be effective in the treatment of COVID-19 patients due to their anti-inflammatory effects and protease enzymes, along with routine treatments. Considering the health properties of boron and oleylethanolamide and the lack of studies in this field, the present study has been designed with the aim of investigating the supplemental effect of compounds containing boron and oleylethanolamide on the recovery rate of patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial in Imam Reza Hospital (Tabriz University of Medical Sciences) during 2020. In this study, 40 adult patients diagnosed with covid-19 underwent intervention. The patients were randomized into 4 treatment groups by random allocation method 1:1:1:1: (group A) 5 mg boron citrate twice a day, (group B) 200 mg oleethanolamide twice a day, (group C) They received both treatments, or (group d) routine treatments without any study drugs. Some clinical and biochemical parameters were examined before and after the intervention. Results: Supplementation with boron citrate alone or in combination with oleoylethanolamide significantly improved O2 saturation and respiratory rate (p < 0.01). At the end of the study, significant increases in white blood cell and lymphocyte count were observed in the boron citrate and combined groups (p < 0.001). Boron citrate supplementation led to a significant decrease in serum lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.026) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.014), compared with other groups. Furthermore, boron citrate in combination with oleoylethanolamide resulted in a significant reduction in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-1β concentrations (p = 0.031 and p = 0.027, respectively). No significant differences were found among four groups post-intervention, in terms of hemoglobin concentrations, platelet count, and serum interleukin-6 levels. At the end of the study, common symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, and myalgia significantly improved in the supplemented groups, compared to the placebo (p < 0.05).