The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched a scientifically validated ayurvedic drug (BGR-34) for type II diabetes here on Wednesday . The drug Blood Glucose Regulator-34 (BGR-34) was jointly developed by two research units of CSIR-the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP).
Kozhikode: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched a scientifically validated ayurvedic drug (BGR-34) for type II diabetes here on Wednesday . The drug Blood Glucose Regulator-34 (BGR-34) was jointly developed by two research units of CSIR-the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP). The drug is made of extracts from six herbs including daruharidra (berberis aristata), giloy (tinospora cordifolia), vijayasar (pterocarpus marsupium), gudmar (gymnema sylvestre), majeeth (rubia cordifoila) and methika (trigonella foenumgraecum).
Dr Anil K R Sharma, vice president of Aimil Pharmaceuticals said the drug was priced at Rs 5 per tablet. “It is available on all major chemist counters in the state,” he said. He said they chose Calicut to launch the drug as the global Ayurveda fest was being held in the city.
Speaking to mediapersons Dr A K S Rawat, senior principal scientist, CSIRNBRI said India is home to around 6 crore diabetics.”BGR-34 works by controlling blood sugar and limiting the harmful effects of other drugs,” he added.
Dr Ch V Rao, principal scientist of CSIR-NBRI said the key ingredients inhibit DPP-4 (an enzyme, which destroys the hormone incretin) and enhances insulin secretion. “The product passed a series of tests and showed hypoglycaemic (very low levels of sugar in the blood) activity in experimental subjects,” he said. “The pre-clinical studies of the drug revealed significant reduction in high blood sugar level in diabetes induced subjects, demonstrating effects similar to that of the reference standard anti-diabetic allopathic drug. It was also found to improve Thyroid Function Test (TFT) and Kidney Function Test (KFT) and lipid profile significantly besides providing antioxidant activity . No side effects were observed during the course of the study ,” he added.
(ET)
