The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has started studying if melatonin, virgin coconut oil (VCO) and the tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta) plant can cure the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The DoST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) said the study, titled “Melatonin as Adjuvant treatment for Covid-19 in Patients Requiring hospitalization (MAC19 PRO): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (RCT),” would examine whether high doses of melatonin could lessen the need for intubation or ventilation of hospitalized Covid-19 patients and improve their survival rate.