Fact Check: Can kalonji seeds prevent COVID-19?
By Satya Priya BN Published on 9 April 2020 5:15 AM GMT
COVID-19 is a Novel streak of Corona virus, with no proper treatment or vaccine. Doctors are trying various combinations of drugs to save affected people. Among these, Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine drugs are in use in combination with other drugs for treatment. According to reports, the drug used in combination with other drugs is proving to successful in treatment, but not all patients are responding favourably to this combination.
Amidst this situation, a message is being shared in the social media claiming that Kalonji seeds are proven to be rich in Hydroxychloroquine and taking ¼ teaspoon of Kalonji seeds with honey is going to prevent COVID infection.
The message goes as
"Hydroxychloroquine
Is found 100% in
Kalonji seed
So take 1/4 teaspoon of Kalonji seed with Honey 🍯 to prevent yourself from
COVID-19 Corona Virus pls share this information on a large scale & thru groups .
it's a humble request."
Some accounts have shared video of Fox news, in which the anchor is seen stating that Chloroquine is successful in treatment of COVID-19.
Fact Check:
The above claim that taking ¼ teaspoon of Kalonji seeds can prevent COVID infection is FALSE.
Firstly, Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat people who are already infected by Corona virus. It is not used as a vaccine or to prevent infection. So far, no vaccine has been developed for COVID-19. Therefore, consuming kalonji seeds will not prevent people from being infected.
Even though Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine has been approved by the FDA and are being used to treat Corona patients, they are used in combination with other drugs. Research conducted by China and France on the effects of these drugs on COVID-19 virus is yet to be proved.
Experts say that experimental studies of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) include treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus along with Malaria, but not for COVID-19.
According to a report published by BBC.com, which discusses about the efficiency of various drugs against COVID-19, Chloroquine, and a related derivative, hydroxychloroquine, may have antiviral and immune-calming properties.
The drugs have been thrust into the spotlight as potential coronavirus therapies, largely due to claims made by President Trump, but there is still scant evidence on their effectiveness.
Kalonji or nigella seeds are popularly used in traditional systems of medicine to treat several ailments. Several research articles show that kalonji seeds contain Thymoquinone. But this research is not backed by substantial evidence.
Chemical formula of Thymoquinone is C10H12O2 and that of Hydroxychloroquine is C18H26ClN3O. As we can see by their formulae the composition of both the chemicals is vastly different. Therefore, the effects on living beings will NOT be the same.
Studies show that nigella seeds can provide relief from runny nose, sneezing etc in patients with seasonal allergies. The studies on the efficiency of Kalonji seeds are still in trial stage. So, there is no abundant proof in this subject.
Either Chloroquine or Hydroxycloroquine drugs used in combination with other drugs have proved to be effective on few COVID-19 patients in some countries. But they are NOT preventive drugs.
Hence, the Claim that intake of ¼ teaspoon of Kalonji seeds can prevent COVID infection is FALSE.
UPDATED: on April 24, 2020
