Efficacy of Licorice as Adjunctive Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Objective: There is no definitive pharmacological strategy for COVID-19; thus, medicinal herbs can be an appropriate option for COVID-19 management. We investigated the efficacy of a D-reglis tablet (root extract of licorice) as adjuvant therapy in critically ill patients with COVID-19 at intensive care units (ICUs) of Alzahra Teaching Hospital affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Methods: In the present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, critically ill cases with COVID-19 ( = 52) received a D-reglis tablet (760 mg) or a placebo tablet for 5 days.

Targeting Mitochondrial and Brain Injury Markers in Acquired Brain Injuries: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study with Melatonin.

Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial damage is the main event in acquired brain injuries (ABI). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, on mitochondrial and brain injury markers, and the clinical outcomes of patients with ABI. In this randomized controlled trial, intensive care unit (ICU) or neurology patients with ABI (n=60) received melatonin (21 mg/day) or placebo tablets, within the first 72 hours of injury onset for five days.

Addition of Valerian and Lemon Balm Extract to Quetiapine Reduces Agitation in Critically Ill Patients with Delirium: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: This study was pointed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of valerian and lemon balm additional to the quetiapine in critically ill patients with delirium and agitation.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Fifty-three adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients (according to ICU Confusion Assessment Method scores) who were treated for delirium received quetiapine and Neurogol syrup (a combination of valerian and lemon balm) or placebo 5 mL every 12 hours for five consecutive days.

Evaluation of Pain Assessment and Management in Critically Ill Intubated Patients in a Referral University Hospital in Iran.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate current pain assessment and management in critically ill patients and to describe (1) pain management episode, according to the behavioral pain scale (BPS), and (2) the effectiveness of analgesics, according to the recommendation of guidelines.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 60 intubated critically ill patients was selected from the intensive care units (ICUs). A researcher evaluated the patient' pain severity using the BPS tool in patients receiving analgesics according to nurses' note.