I-FALMIN Albumin Supplement for Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis

ulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. In addition to lung damage, many TB patients experience low serum albumin levels due to chronic infection, malnutrition, and systemic inflammation. Hypoalbuminemia in TB patients is associated with slower recovery, poorer treatment outcomes, and a higher risk of complications.

I-FALMIN is a natural supplement derived from toman fish (Channa micropeltes), which is rich in albumin and essential amino acids. Previous preclinical and early clinical studies have suggested that albumin extracted from toman fish has potential benefits in improving nutritional status and accelerating recovery in patients with chronic illnesses. However, there is limited evidence on its clinical effectiveness as an adjunctive therapy in pulmonary TB.

This study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of I-FALMIN as a phytopharmaceutical candidate to support nutritional recovery in TB patients. Participants will continue to receive standard anti-tuberculosis therapy according to national guidelines. In addition, the intervention group will receive I-FALMIN supplementation, while the control group will receive standard therapy without the supplement.

The primary objective is to determine whether I-FALMIN supplementation increases serum albumin levels compared to standard care alone. Secondary objectives include assessing improvements in clinical symptoms, body weight, immune response, and overall treatment outcomes. Findings from this study are expected to provide scientific evidence to support the development of I-FALMIN as a phytopharmaceutical product that may benefit TB patients in Indonesia and potentially in other countries with high TB burden.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult male and female participants aged 18-60 years.
• Newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) patients based on sputum examination using GeneXpert MTB/RIF with MTB positive (low, moderate, or high) and rifampicin resistance not detected.
• Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²), categorized according to WHO: <18.5 underweight, 18.5-24.9 normal. Eligible participants are those with BMI below the lower normal threshold (<22.5).
• Will receive standard anti-tuberculosis treatment (OAT) regimen (4FDC) according to body weight.
• Serum albumin level <3.5 g/dL before initiation of treatment.
• Willing to undergo randomization and receive the investigational product for 14 days (3 × 4 tablets daily).
• Willing to undergo scheduled follow-up visits at the hospital (clinical examination, BMI measurement, sputum, and blood sampling) on days 15, 29, 43, and 57, as well as sputum smear examination on day 15 and day 57.
• Willing to comply with the study protocol by signing informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Confirmed HIV infection.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• History of drug allergy.
• Comorbid hepatitis.
• Complicated liver cirrhosis.
• Nephrotic syndrome.
• History of hematemesis (vomiting blood).
• Renal failure.
• Burn injury.
• Gastric disorders or intestinal diseases.
• Malignancy (cancer).
• Cardiac disorders.
• History of stroke.
• Allergy to fish protein.
• Pulmonary tuberculosis with extrapulmonary involvement or patients currently hospitalized for TB.
• Prior supplementation with albumin.