Anti-influenza Herb Found

Anti-influenza herb found

BANGKOK: -- A local herb promises to be a cheaper alternative cure for human influenza, a senior health official said yesterday.

Medical Sciences Department chief Paichit Warachit said researchers have successfully developed a new medicine called ``Phyto-1'' maeng luck kha (Lamiaceae), a herbal plant common to Thailand.

The department has registered Phyto-1 as a patented traditional medicine after the first phase of clinical experiment showed promising results.

``Phyto-1 could be a good alternative to modern antiviral medicines which could cause drug-resistance symptoms in the long run,'' he said.

Lab tests have been made to compare the effectiveness of Phyto-1 with brand-name antiviral drugs, such asoseltamivir, used in the treatment of human influenza. A dose of 5mg per 5ml of the herbal medicine could reduce 93% of influenza virus in experimental animals without any side effect. A group of 100 volunteers participating in the first-phase trial also developed immunity, he said.

Dr Paichit said Phyto-1 was cheaper than antiviral drugs. It could help Thailand save about one billion baht spent annually to import brand-name influenza drugs.

--Bangkok Post 2005-07-19