Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Anti-Leprosy Drug Trials started by CSIR against COVID-19


The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has started the trials of anti-leprosy drug trials against COVID-19. The drug trial is to be conducted with the help of Mycobacterium MW.

Highlights

  • The Mycobacterium MW is a heat killed bacteria. 
  • It is to be tried on different COVID-19 patients. 
  • The drug trial was approved by the Drug Controller General of India. 
  • One particular strain of bacteria called the Mycobacterium MW is to be tried on several COVID-19 patients. 
  • The drug has already proved its effectivity against leprosy.
  • The CSIR is also trying phytopharmaceuticals

Phytopharmaceuticals

  • The Phytopharmaceuticals are herbal medicines. 
  • They contain one or more plant products as Active Ingredients. 
  • Phytopharmaceuticals are preferred to synthetic drugs as their benefit-risk ratios are higher.

What is Mycobacterium MW?

  • Mycobacterium MW is a strain of mycobacterium. 
  • It is a non-pathogenic, non-specific immune potentiating, rapidly growing atypical mycobacterium. 
  • This strain of bacteria shares a common T and B cell determinants with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae.
  • The heat killed bacteria induces T-cell responses. 
  • This induces the responses of the cells against tumor cells as well.

About the Trial

  • Along with CSIR Gujarat based pharma-giant Cadila Pharmaceuticals will also join the Mycobacterium trial. 
  • The hospitals that are to participate in the trial includes AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Chandigarh and AIIMS Bhopal.

No comments:

Post a Comment