CSIR launches India's first ayurvedic anti-diabetic drug

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) today launched the country'sfirst anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug for type two Diabetes mellitus.
The drug BGR-34 is developed jointly by National Botanical ResearchInstitute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), the Lucknow-based research units of CSIR.
Launching the drug at a function here, Senior PrincipalScientist, CSIR-NBRI, Dr A K S Rawat said, "Six crore adult Indianpopulation has been found to be diabetic and there is no effective solution for diabetes as yet.
"We are sure that eminent medicalprofessionals will recommend it to their patients suffering from type two Diabetes mellitus for quicker and consistent response.

"The scientists of NBRI and CIMAP joined hands to develop an effective, safe, patient-friendly solution towards management of type two Diabetes. While the modern diabetes drugs are known for side-effects and toxicity, BGR-34 works by controlling blood sugar and limiting the harmful effects of other drugs," he said.
Dr Ch V Rao, Principal Scientist CSIR-NBRI said, "BGR-34 is a unique product that manages the lives of people suffering fromdiabetes. One of the critical ingredients is that it inhibits DPP-4 and enhancesinsulin secretion. The product has passed several battery of tests and showed hypoglycemic activity in experimental subjects".

For the purpose of quality commercial production and extended distribution, AIMIL Pharmaceuticals (I) Ltds, known forits innovative Ayurvedic products, has been transferred the rights and technical knowhow to produce and market it for medical use.

K K Sharma, Managing Director of AIMIL pharmaceuticals, said, "We have decided to launch this marvelous anti-diabetic product in the name of BGR-34,which stands for Blood Glucost Regulator, containing 34 identified activephyto-constitutes from herbal resources."
AIMIL pharmaceuticals already had one successful technologicalcollaboration with Defence Research and DevelopmentOrganisation for effective and safe treatment of leucoderma, still considered a big challenge.
The product for leucoderma was launched in the market in the name of 'Lukoskin',he added.