Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Ayush, CSIR ink MoU to promote herbal products

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, May 5 - The Union Ministry of Ayush along with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have joined hands to explore modern scientific methods for integration with traditional medicine, a move aimed to boost the prospect of Indian herbal products in the quality conscious domestic as well as global market.

The MoU was signed recently by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Ayush Secretary and Dr Shekhar C Mande, Director General of CSIR in the presence of senior officials from both the organisations.

According to the MoU between the two organisations, emphasis will be on pursuing research and development covering fundamental research; Ayush-specific diagnostic tools; linking micro-biome, gene expression and prakriti; multi-ingredient herbal formulations, including their standardisation and linking disease signatures, among others, as per a statement here from the Ministry.

In fact, various CSIR labs have already taken initiative in this direction in the past too, for instance scientists from the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), had jointly developed anti-diabetic herbal drug BGR-34 a few years ago. The scientifically validated poly-herbal Ayurvedic blood glucose regulator BGR-34 has been prepared from six medicinal plants, including daruharidra, giloy, gudmar and bittergourd which are known for their anti-diabetic and anti-hyperglycemic properties. It is being marketed by Delhi-based AIMIL Pharmaceuticals.

As per the pact, the collaboration in preserving and protecting traditional knowledge related to the Indian system of healthcare will also be strengthened through the existing platforms and development of international standardised terminologies (disease-morbidity codes) in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU), database on medicinal plants, foods, etc.

Talking about the importance of such hand holdings, Kotecha pointed out that in view of the growing interest of traditional medicines worldwide, there is a need of multipronged and innovative approaches for the acceptance of this science.

He further said that the combination of traditional healthcare and modern basic science has a huge possibility to do innovative and path-breaking research which can be used for the explanation of various basic concepts.

Dr Mande explained that enhancing the collaboration through joint R&D efforts ranging from fundamental science to validation and thereafter product development, will significantly help in the growth of the Indian contribution to this important sector, not only nationally, but internationally as well.

Next Story