Using natural ayurveda remedies researchers may soon have a cure for low platelet count, according to Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) director Ram Vishwakarma. Researchers claim that by using some six key medicinal plants they can stop fall and bring back platelet count in 7-8 days to normal levels of over one lakh per cubic mm.
According to Vishwakarma, dossier for phase one trial of the drug is being prepared. If successful, the research would have be a huge help to stop fall in platelet count in viral diseases like dengue or during chemotherapy for cancer patients. Fall in platelet count becomes life threatening if the level slips to 25,000 unit. Until now the cure for increasing platelet immediately is more platelet transfusion.
"If we succeed it would a first in the world. However, we are still in the process of investigational new drug or IND," said Vishwakarma. Jammu-based IIIM is a national institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) with primary focus of research on drug discovery from natural products (medicinal plants and microbial species).
IIIM will soon approach the drug controller general of India (DCGI) for conducting trials on some 100 patients. The trials will last some six to eight months. "We have collaborated with the IIIM on the project and have been partners in captive cultivation for plants experimentation farm in Jammu," said Medanta medicity coordinator (integrative medicine) Dr Geetha Krishnanhere on Thursday.
The plants which promise revolutionary discovery include tinospora cordifolia (gaduchi), withania somnifera (indian ginseng), berberis aristata (rasonth), colebrookia opposotifolia (dhusure), grewia asiatica (phalsa) and boswellica serrata (shallaki). "Most of these are readily available even in places like Bhopal," he added.
If all goes well the ayurveda drug may be available in the market with two years, claimed the IIIM director.
Source:TNN
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