Indian scientists develop Herbal Medicine for Dengue
Indian scientists for first time have claimed to have developed herbal medicine against mosquito borne dengue fever using traditional Indian medicine system Ayurveda.
The herbal dengue medicine was developed using alcoholic extract of Cissampelos pariera Linn (Cipa extract) derived from velvetleaf, a species of flowering plant. The drug has proved to be potent inhibitor to all four types (strains) of dengue virus.
The project jointly undertaken by
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
- Ranbaxy Research Laboratory (now owned by Sun Pharma).
Scientists are now seeking to hold clinical trials and toxicity studies of the drug after approval from Union Ministry of Ayush and Drug Controller of India (DCI) for commercial production.
Dengue: It is a mosquito-borne tropical viral disease. It poses a significant global public health risk. India represents 50 per cent of the global population estimated to be at risk of dengue. Severe dengue is potentially fatal and correlates with very high virus load that caused reduction in platelet counts and haemorrhage.
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Month: Current Affairs - March, 2016