Dengue killed 60 patients in Delhi alone last year while 99,913 cases were reported all over the country. (Representational Image)
No existing drug can treat the dreaded mosquito-borne disease dengue. But, in a significant development, a team of Indian scientists claims to have developed a drug that can possibly cure dengue. The drug, if put through human clinical trials now, will be available after two years.
The plant Cissampelos pareira, locally called 'laghu patta' or abuta, has thrown up the possible cure against dengue, they say.
Scientists working at the government-run International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi have published a paper in which they report that a herbal formulation made from the plant was able to kill the dengue virus in mice in less than a week.
Dengue killed 60 patients in Delhi alone last year while 99,913 cases were reported all over the country. Every year, the disease stretches the already strained health care system.
The lead researcher, Dr Navin Khanna told NDTV that he had himself used the herbal extract when he was infected with dengue last year and benefitted from it. Dr Khanna said, "This ayurvedic drug from an Indian plant blocks the growth of all four virus types when given to mice and in tissue culture tests. It is safe to use. Through the ayurvedic route, we should be able to provide this solution to the dengue menace in the next two years or so." The drug still has to go through human clinical trials.
A team of 12 scientists worked for nearly five years spending Rs 1 crore and scanned 20 different plant species before they hit upon this success.
The head of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, who is not involved with the research is excited with the finding. "It is also a good lead as this herb or plant has been used in traditional ayurveda. It is a very good example of taking some leads from our traditional medicine....It has a lot of potential," Dr Swaminathan said.