Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta has not been approved for Covid-19 -KNUST

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has cautioned the general public against the mass use of Crytolepis Sanguinolenta (CS), a herbal medicine which is currently undergoing clinical trials for possible treatment of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

In a statement signed by Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, University Relations Officer (URO) of KNUST, he admonished the public that the herbal medicine had not been approved presently for Covid-19 management, but rather for a Phase II clinical trial on Covid-19 patients.

According to Norris, although preliminary results from their laboratory strongly point in the direction of potential clinical benefits, however, their team wants to caution the general public against the mass use of CS for Covid-19 treatment, until there is enough scientific evidence from their clinical and subsequently market authorisation from the FDA.

Dubbed KNC19, the KNUST Covid-19 clinical trial team consists of clinicians and scientists across faculties at KNUST, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and other faculties within the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Centre for Plant Medicine (CPMR) at Mampong Akuapem.

Dr. Bekoe pointed out that the study is expected to last for three months, adding that “KNUST shall update the media and the general public as soon as the study is concluded.”

The statement by the KNUST follows a joint statement by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the National Medicine Regulatory Agency (NMRA), which disclosed that they had approved a herbal medicine called Crytolepis Sanguinolenta for clinical trials on Covid-19 patients.

The FDA statement was greeted with excitement and pride by many Ghanaians, however, some misinterpreted it as an approval for the use of CS in Covid-19 therapy by the FDA.

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