New herbal hope for diabetics!

Lucknow, Oct 27: For those having high blood sugar levels and are on antibiotics for long, state-owned National Botanical Garden Institute (NBRI) here has come up with a herbal and healthy option.

"We have developed a medicine for Type-II diabetes patients on Ayurvedic method, which does not have any side effect," Senior Principal Scientist A K S Rawat told PTI today.

Generally antigens affect body organs on the long run. But this drug contains anti-oxidants, which help in rebuilding process, he said.

Rawat said the initiative was taken by NBRI Director C S Nautiyal. He said the drug has been introduced in tablet form.

The Ayurvedic drug has been named 'BGR-34' and may cost Rs 500 for 100 tablets.

"If taken for a longer period, it may also reduce dependence on insulin," Rawat said.

A combination of natural extracts, the drug has been jointly developed by two CSIR laboratories -- NBRI and the Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (CIMAP) -- both in Lucknow. NBRI has given permission to a Delhi-based pharmaceutical firm for commercial manufacturing and marketing of the medicine.

"The drug has extracts from four plants mentioned in Ayurveda and that makes it safe," Rawat said.

He said tests carried on animals and related scientific study found it to be safe and effective with clinical trials showing 67 per cent success.

PTI