Dengue treatment

After more than 37,000 dengue cases, including 227 which resulted in death, across India, a grandma’s antidote for the virus seems to be getting scientific endorsement. A herbal concoction — juice of papaya leaf, common neem and hill neem — being given to dengue patients in government hospitals in Tamil Nadu has been found to have anti-viral properties. Tests conducted at the King Institute of Preventive Medicine found that the Siddha preparation brought down symptoms and speeded up recovery of patients.
Scientists dropped the four strains of the dengue virus on the cell lines (drawn from the gut cells of dengue causing albopictus mosquito) and added the herbal preparation. Normally, the virus should enter the cells. “After two days, we found the cell-lines were unaffected. The virus was neutralised by the herbal formulation. Further tests showed it blocked the virus from entering the cell. In cells where the virus had already entered, it prevented multiplication,” said King Institute director Dr P Gunasekaran.
After registering the largest number of dengue cases (9,249, including 60 deaths), the state health department asked King Institute to conduct tests on the bitter juice. Meanwhile, further microbiological studies should be done.
Siddha doctors said they were happy that the government was now thinking of intergrated medicine. “We want the government doctors to include the dosages in the case sheets,” said Siddha Doctors Association president Dr Selvin Innocent Dhas.