(MENAFN- QNA) Scientists at Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu have discovered a chemical compound in a Himalayan plant which has the potential to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases.
A science report published by Hindustan Time (HT) daily says, IIIM scientists isolated a natural product from the plant Bergenia ciliata (common name Elephant Ears) and then through medicinal chemistry, created a chemical with potent anti-arthritic activity.
The American Chemical Society published this discovery in its journal.
IIIM Jammu Director Dr Ram Vishwakarma told HT, "This compound exhibits dual action - inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and blocking pain receptors. Lab scale experiments have been completed and pharmacological activity has been confirmed for anti-arthritis activities. The next stage would be to conduct the clinical trial of the drug molecule."
RA is the most common age-related chronic disease, characterised mainly by inflammation of the lining of the joints. Statistical data shows people with RA are two times more likely to die than people of the same age without RA.
The medicinal plant from which this compound was discovered, Bergenia ciliate, has been used for centuries in the Ayurvedic medicine to treat kidney and bladder stones, piles, and pulmonary affections.
Taking queue from the available traditional knowledge, scientists synthesised a compound, IS-01246, which displayed positive results both in in-vitro as well as in-vivo inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis models, the HT report said.
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