Considering the spread of COVID-19 and the contagious nature of this virus, accidental contamination of the healthcare worker is not ruled out and there are reports of healthcare teams contracting the infection. Therefore, apart from infection control practices, an intervention to reduce bioburden in the oral cavity by using a mouth dissolving lozenge of turmeric extract 100 mg (Brand name Turmgel) exhibiting antiseptic properties is proposed in this project.

Turmeric is a naturally occurring plant derived antiseptic agent with known anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral properties. Additionally, it is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. It has multiple pharmacological actions with well supported use in traditional medicine. The principle constituent of turmeric is curcumin and it has wide spectrum of activity which is being explored in modern medicine. The use of turmeric and its constituents could not be capitalised till date due to its poor bioavailability and first pass effect. This has rendered to its limited use in the modern medicine. However, the galenicl development and technological advancements in drug delivery system has helped develop a supra-bioavailable mouth dissolving lozenge of pure turmeric extract. This product is marketed In India and  is manufactured  by M/s Gelnova Laboratories (I) Private Limited Mumbai and it’s globally patented. Turmeric is part of food chain with wide safety margin and is well-endorsed in Ayurveda. 

This product dissolves in mouth and as it dissolves, the active constituents are available to exert its pharmacological activities.

It takes around 8-10 minutes for the lozenge to dissolve in the mouth; this contact time is very effective to maintain oral hygiene as the solubilised turmeric extract in the saliva reaches each part of the mouth-cavity capable to reduce the bioburden. Thus, colonisation of the pathogens near pharynx can be arrested. Antiviral properties of turmeric (curcumin) on several different viral species is well supported in the literature. As COVID-19 is a newly emerged virus from the family of coronaviruses, a direct evidence on this strain is currently not available. However, few recent literature and scientific research emerging from China does demonstrate potential use of turmeric in COVID-19.

This formulation is SUGAR-FREE.  Hence no nutrients are available for germs to proliferate. It is mildly flavoured with eucalyptus oil and menthol.

This is an open, clinic-based, non-comparative, single-centre, post-marketing observational qualitative survey.  Three lozenges daily during the work-hours is recommended over the study period of 30 days. Healthcare workers will continue to allow the infection control practices and shall use all the necessary protective gears as recommended. There are total 3 visit during the 1 month study period: baseline, follow up at day 15 and end of study at Day 30. Any of the healthcare workers, showing any symptoms of COVID-19 will be withdrawn from the study. 

The primary criteria includes Clinical acceptability of turmeric lozenges in COVID-19 healthcare teams that will be measured through VAS. 

Investigator shall opine on the safety and tolerance of turmeric lozenges. (secondary criteria)  

This intervention is to protect our healthcare workers from contracting COVID-19 while performing professional duties. 

The study hypothesis considers arresting the pathogen in the buccal cavity and do not permit its entry through respiratory tract.

 The viral load of COVID-19 is in the saliva and the study medication TURMERIC LOZENGES solubilises in the saliva. Therefore, we believe  that the study medication has high possibility to reduce the salivary load and reduce the chance of contracting infection. 

The last subject last visit was achieved on 9th July 2020.