Scientists discover anti-virus for dengue

Creating a vaccine that protects people from all four types of the dengue virus has frustrated scientists for decades. Scientists in the country have now successfully found an anti-virus for the world’s most widespread mosquito-borne disease.

The anti-virus made of herb extracts from China has been proven to lower the replication rate of the dengue virus by as much as 70 percent.

The herb, 'Huang Qin', or scientifically known as Scutellaria Baicalensis is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions including epilepsy, hepatitis, infections and cancer.

The herb is said to produce basic molecules called Baicalein which is capable of reducing the replication rate of the dengue virus.

“This Chinese herb contains Baicalein compounds which have been proven to be able to lower the replication rate of the dengue virus. We are now trying to develop this anti-viris so it can be used. It hasn’t been proven to be able to treat dengue fever but at least it is able to lower the replication rate of the dengue virus,” said Universiti Malaya dengue expert, Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar.

He also hopes the product can be made into a pill for easy consumption.

Flavonoids are plant extracts which and are thought to be associated with a number of health benefits for humans and function as antioxidants.

There are no widely known side effects of flavonoids even when they are taken in very large concentrations.

There is no specific cure for dengue fever although symptomatic treatment is specified for example to alleviate the symptom of fever are given along with malarial treatment, rest and intravenous fluid replacement.

Until a vaccine is discovered, preventive measures should be taken to control the dengue menace.