For a minute
forget about the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine created by a big
pharmaceutical firm.
De La Salle
University-DasmariƱas’ Medical and Health Sciences Institute is leading the way, spearheaded by pharmacologist-epidemologist Dr. Rita Grace Alvero and her team of researchers, they have started Phase 1 of clinical trials on a herbal medicine that can cure dengue.
Dengue is a persistent killer disease in the country, with the Dengvaxia scandal this news is very much welcomed(photo credit to owner) |
The medicine
they formulated is a combination or cocktail of three endemic plants proved to
be effective in curing dengue.
Dr. Alvero,
one of the presenters at the National Research and Development (NRDC) Conference
2019 held by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) last Wednesday at
the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, said the group is very much determined to pursue the full drug development process to make that miracle medicine that can cure and stop deaths from dengue.
Dr. Alvero
adds, that it will be ready by the end of 2022.
The
potential dengue drug has for its main ingredients- 3 herbal plants found in
the country.
“They are
endemic in the Philippines, not at all endangered,” Alvero explains and “It’s
an anti-viral.”
Alvero led
team of researchers who are teachers in DLSU-Dasmarinas have formed a health
startup firm – Pharmalytics Corp.
The anti
drug initial efficacy test have shown “Dramatic”
recovery of dengue patients, even those severely affected with very low
platelet count
“We’ve done
the pre-formulation tests, we’ve done animal studies, we’ve tested for
efficacy. We’ve done the capsule, we’ve documented the efficacy results,”
Alvero said.
“We’ve demonstrated in
humans already, in pilot cases, that it attenuates the clinical signs of the
disease,” Alvero said.
“There was dramatic
recovery. It was given to patients with very, very low platelet counts who are
bleeding already. It reversed (the progression of the disease), and improved
the well-being (of the patient),
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), said the agency supports the drug development efforts of Alvero.
The DOST-PCHRD has given Alvero and his group initial financial grant to develop the potential homegrown miracle drug.
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Report from PhilStar
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