One hundred and forty-one male and female participants aged 18-59 years were randomlydivided into 4 groups: 1) control group: neither received exercise program nor supplementbut received placebo capsule for 8 weeks 2) experiment-1: received Triphala capsule at1,000 mg/day, before breakfast for 500 mg and before dinner for 500 mg, for consecutive 5days/week for 8 weeks 3) experiment-2: received leg cycling exercise program in the formof high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for 28 min/day, 3 days/week for 8 weeks and 4)experiment-3: received both Triphala capsule and HIIT in the similar extent to theexperiment-1 and experiment-2 groups for 8 weeks. Immune system function and oxidativestress including blood interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyls levels were analyzed. Inaddition, blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme and creatinine levels were alsoanalyzed for determining liver and kidney toxicity, particularly in the Triphalasupplementation and combined Triphala supplementation and HIIT groups.
This study aimed to investigate and compare immune system function and oxidative stress
before and after supplementation with Triphala and high-intensity interval training in
individuals with post COVID-19. One hundred and forty-one male and female participants
aged 18-59 years were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) control group: neither received
exercise program nor supplement but received placebo capsule for 8 weeks 2) experiment-1:
received Triphala capsule at 1,000 mg/day, before breakfast for 500 mg and before dinner
for 500 mg, for consecutive 5 days/week for 8 weeks 3) experiment-2: received leg cycling
exercise program in the form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for 28 min/day, 3
days/week for 8 weeks and 4) experiment-3: received both Triphala capsule and HIIT in the
similar extent to the experiment-1 and experiment-2 groups for 8 weeks. Immune system
function and oxidative stress including blood interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyls levels
were analyzed. In addition, blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme and creatinine
levels were also analyzed for determining liver and kidney toxicity, particularly in the
Triphala supplementation and combined Triphala supplementation and HIIT groups. Results
showed that levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, MDA, and protein carbonyls before 8-week
program were not different among 4 groups. After the program the levels of IFN-gamma,
TNF-alpha, MDA, and protein carbonyls were significantly decreased in the Triphala
supplementation, HIIT, and combined Triphala supplementation and HIIT groups (all p <
0.05). However, there were no significant differences between groups. Besides, levels of
ALT enzyme and creatinine were not different among the 4 groups both before and after the
8-week program. There were also no significant differences between groups. This study
concluded that in individuals with post COVID-19, Triphala supplementation at 1,000
mg/day, 5 days/week for consecutive 8 weeks can improve immune system function and
alleviate oxidative stress. These outcomes are similar to those of HIIT and combined
Triphala supplementation and HIIT interventions. However, prolonged investigation periods
may help observing differences between interventions.
Other: Triphala capsule supplementation and high-intensity interval training
Triphala capsule supplementation is categorized in dietary supplement but and
high-intensity interval training is included as other
Inclusion Criteria:
- Passed COVID-19 infection for at least 4 weeks with a symptom of long COVID
including regular fatigue, headache, inability to concentrate, hair loss, and
dyspnea (the symptom was exacerbated by exercise or concentration)
- Aged between 18 to 59 years
- Normal body mass index (BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Regular exerciser (>2 times per week or >150 min per week)
- Regular intake of dietary supplements, i.e., vitamins, antioxidants, herbs
- Regular smokers or alcohol drinkers (>2 times per week)
- Food allergy, especially herbs i.e., emblic myrobalan, chebulic myrobalan, beleric
myrobalan
- Hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, endocrine
disease, neuromuscular disease, musculoskeletal disease, liver disease, renal
disease, immune disease, infectious disease, or cancer
- Current signs or symptoms of infection, i.e., fever, hyperpnea, dyspnea, and
palpitations
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University
Mueang, Changwat Chon Buri 1611108, Thailand
Not Provided