From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, May 23: The Bengaluru-based Khoday Group of Industries in collaboration with Althea DRF Life Sciences has rolled out a first-of-its-kind Ayurvedic Immuno-modulator ‘ViraNorm,’ which helps in the speedy recovery of Covid patients.
The Ayurvedic drug has already undergone one of the largest randomized multi-centre clinical trials in 3 phases and has been approved by the Union Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Sidda, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy) as per its Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) guidelines, according to Khoday Group.
The Bengaluru-based Khoday Group of Industries is making its entry into the field of science-based alternative medicine, in collaboration with Althea DRF Life Sciences.
The randomized multi-centre clinical trials in three phases were conducted in Victoria hospital, Bengaluru, and other institutions in Bengaluru, which are NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) accredited, in line with international standards for clinical trials, said, Swamy Khoday, Khoday Group vice-chairman and managing director.
‘ViraNorm’ was developed post extensive safety and efficacy studies and was found to be effective in the clinical trial, explained Dr Manu Jaggi, chief operating officer, Althea DRF Life Sciences.
He said the drug helps halt the progression of the virus in the body and serves as an add-on therapy/medication for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic Covid patients. The ayurvedic drug helps in stopping the migration of the patients from mild to moderate condition, explained Dr KG Padmanabhan, who developed the formulation.
Dr Radheshyam Naik, the principal investigator of the clinical trial, explained that Neutrophil- Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) has increasingly come under the spotlight as a very useful, rapid and inexpensive prognostic biomarker for Covid-19 patients, where elevated NLR levels may be associated with unfavourable clinical prognosis.
"In Covid-19 infections, low NLR levels (ratio factor between 0.75-3.00 is considered as normal) may indicate lower inflammation and higher Cytotoxic T cell immunity, and may signify lower Covid-19 viral loads and may aid in better recovery,’’ Dr Naik said.
The human body fights against diseases by showing two types of immunities - anti-body-mediated and cell-mediated immunity. ViraNorm has proven to improve cell-mediated immunity of patients in the clinical trial, thereby helping patients to recover faster, he explained.
The clinical trial has also shown that the drug reduces both the duration and severity of cough and breathlessness significantly, which are primary symptoms of Covid patients. The ingredients in the capsule work by not letting the adhesion of the virus to the cell surface of the individual in nasal or oral cavity regions said, Dr Padmanabhan.
The reduced NLR ensures a reduction in cellular level inflammation and increases cell-mediated immunity. This has been systematically proven to reduce NLR in a clinical trial. Since this is developed on the fundamental basis of immunity, it may work even for variants of the virus, he claimed adding: "It is useful for both below 40 years and above 60 years people.’’
‘ViraNorm’ features:
- Made out of 100% natural herbal extracts
- Clinical Trial conducted in Victoria Hospital & other NABH institutions of Bengaluru
- AYUSH approved, as per CTRI guidelines
- Reduces viral load by lowering N/L Ratio
- Reduces the severity of cough, duration &shortness of breath
- Effective both in <40 &> 60 age groups