Scientists develop drugs for HIV/AIDS and cancer patients

Experts in Ayurveda at (CCRAS) Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha have come up with the development of the drugs which could be immensely helpful for the patients, who have a history of HIV/AIDS, cancer and several physical deformities.

With the aim of confirming its effect, the council has also started clinical trials in several hospitals all through the country.

Director General of CCRSA, G S Lavekar said, "The traditional system in association with modern technology can do wonders in medical science.”

The millennia-old practice is being embraced worldwide and medicines-based on it are in high demand. Diseases such as cancer, mental illness and HIV/AIDS have less chance to be cured but the newly-developed drugs are touted to make the patients life comfortable and enhance the standard of their life.

Lavekar said, "After hectic clinical trials, seven drugs developed by the council are in the market while seven others are on the pipeline. These include one for HIV/AIDS, cancer, psoriasis and disabled persons."

The QUOL2C drug can be used for the cancer-infected patients. This drug, the council says, will improve the quality of life for those who undergo radio and chemo therapy. Clinical trial for the drug is being carried out in 4 leading hospitals comprising AIIMS, New Delhi, St John Medical College and Hospital in Bangalore and Tata Institute of Cancer, Mumbai.

While QOL2A drug can be used for AIDS and HIV infected patients. This medicine has been started for multi-centric clinical trials.

Lavekar said, “This medicine was developed together with Indian Council of Medical Research's two frontal organizations National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) and National Institute of Virology." 

Ayush-Manas drug can be used for mentally-challenged people. This medicine is going under trial in NIMHANS, Bangalore and Ram Monohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi.

The council also claims to have brought about Triple 7 oil, which can be used for treating psoriasis, a chronic skin disease, and Ayush-64 medicine can be used for curing malaria, Balgutti-a tonic for children.

He added, "These drugs are in high demand in the international market particularly in countries like Mauritius and West Asia," Lavekar said. The council is also working on different metabolic diseases such as hyper-tension, stress, anxiety, fatigue and others."