CSIR Testing Medicinal Herb to Fight against COVID-19

CSIR sought the permission of the Drug Controller General to test the medicinal herb Cocculus hirsutus in humans. Cocculus hirsutus is a tropical, invasive creeper with the common name broom creeper or Patalgarudi (Sanskrit). It is native to India, Pakistan, and tropical Africa. 

Since 2016, there have been trials of developing a drug against dengue from the underworld. In addition to dengue, the drug is effective against viruses that cause chikungunya and encephalitis, the researchers said. The plant has been found to be effective against RNA viruses. 

Dengue virus and coronavirus enter the human body in different ways, but they multiply within the body. Researchers predict that Covid-19 will have the same effect if the underworld is effective against dengue. 

Scientists at CSIR hope that the antiviral feature contained in this plant helps prevent coronavirus. Scientists at CSIR hope that the antiviral feature contained in this plant helps prevent coronavirus.

Researchers are preparing to test whether the drug is effective in the early treatment of COVID. If approved, 50 of them will be tested in the first phase.