BHU professors propose clinical trial of ayurvedic drug against coronavirus

Professors at Banaras Hindu University has proposed a clinical trial of ayurvedic medicine fifatrol to see its effectiveness in tackling COVID-19.

The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) professors has proposed to carry out a clinical trial of immunity-boosting ayurvedic drug fifatrol to check its effectiveness to tackle the deadly coronavirus. 

The proposal is yet to be approved, the official sources said.

As per the BHU professors and Dr K N Dwivedi, the principal investigator for the proposed project, the plan has been forwarded to the task force formed by the government for scientific validation of Ayurveda and traditional medicinal formulas through research institutions in tackling COVID-19.

The Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force includes members from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as also AYUSH practitioners and others.

This team of practitioners and others are working towards identifying potential preventive therapy and therapeutic approaches from Ayush systems in different stages of COVID-19 treatment.

On March 31, the AYUSH ministry had issued a notification, directing ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy (AYUSH) practitioners and institutions to submit their suggestions on various therapies, and has received over 2,000 proposals.

As per the experts, the fifatrol, which is enriched with immune-enhancing herbs, has been found to be effective in curing major bacterial infections such as staphylococcus species that causes fever, cough and cold, and skin diseases among others.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country shot past 20,000 today. At least 1,486 fresh cases emerged in the last 24 hours, according to the latest Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data.

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