According to two studies
conducted by Scientists in International Centre for Genetic engineering and
Biotechnology(ICGEB), New Delhi, funded by the Central Council for Research in Siddha
under the ministry of AYUSH, the two siddha medicines
Nilavembu Kudineer and Amukkura churnam, which has been used by centuries In
siddha medicine, can prevent the dengue virus and chikungunya virus.
In our country tens
of thousands of people infected with chikungunya and dengue in every year.
People already using this several traditional combinations to prevent this diseases.
Governments of Tamilnadu and Kerala are providing these medicines to people
through Siddha Health Centers.
The In-Vivo tests
proved the efficacy of Amukkura, main ingredient in Amukkura churnam, in preventing
chikungunya virus from crossing the Blood Brain Barrier and also affecting the
Joints. Animal experiments are also done in mice and found the same. They
conducted the experiments in two types of tissues, Blood Brain Barrier and
Joint tissues.
The In-Vivo studies
conducted in another medicine, Nilavembu Kudineer, in which Andographis (Nilavembu/Kiriyath)
is a main ingredient, shows its efficacy to restrict the entry of Chikungunya virus
and stop the dengue virus from replicating. This happens by the ability of this
medicine by binding to the receptors that the viruses bind with. So this
medicine can be used as a prophylactic treatment for dengue and chikungunya as
it will result in no symptoms or very mild symptoms. The animal studies for the same are also in
progress in the ICGEB.
Both studies have been accepted in the Journal of
Evidence Based Alternative Medicine and the Journal of Viral Diseases and were
funded by the Central Council for Research in Siddha under the ministry of
AYUSH. Dr Sujatha Sunil is the lead author of the two scientific papers
based on the study.
Courtesy : Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Jan 25
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