Herbal cure for cancer on its way: The Times of India

Jammu, Sept 28: Herbal treatment for the dreaded ailment cancer could finally be available with the Jammu-based Regional Research Laboratory taking a lead in research in this direction and filing a patent for the same.
The RRL, affiliated to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has also succeeded in isolating a plant for developing drug to control diabetes, according to an official.

"Our scientists have three leads in research for treatment to cancer, including that of breast and liver," R K Raina, RRL's Chairman of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, said.

Although the leads were positive towards development of treatment, it would take about four to five years to fully establish that a herbal drug has been developed, he said.

"Work is being vigorously pursued," Raina said adding it could possibly be the first herbal drug to treat the ailment which is responsible for thousands of deaths every year.

He said RRL has already filed for initial stage patent in the US and India for the research.

RRL is collaborating with various drug manufacturing companies including Cadila, Xandu, Nicholas and Lupin besides Hyderabad-based Central Liver Research and Diagnostic Ltd for "multi-centric trials" of the drug.

"Once results are established, one of these companies would be given licence to manufacture the drugs," he said.

The RRL scientists have also isolated a drug from plants for use in controlling diabetes, Raina said, adding negotiations have started with medicine manufacturing companies for trials.

To help the research work, the institute recently acquired Flow Cytometry technology to become only the second in the country to do so.

The technology speeds up the research work besides helping enhance acceptability of development internationally, he said.