Opening new vistas
KGP Chronicle (December 24, 2019)
New drug repurposing candidates identified by researchers at IIT Kharagpur for induction of fetal hemoglobin to treat beta thalassemia patients
Curcumin, found in tumeric, and Ginsenoside, found in the roots of Ginseng, both known for their medicinal properties, could go a long way in treating blood disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. These two plant ingredients, together with approved drugs such as Valproate and Vorinostat were found to be "most suitable for future trials" by a team of genetic scientists at IIT Kharagpur. They are trying to see which drugs induce fetal hemoglobin production--which is known to ameliorate such blood disorders--and whether 'repurposed drugs' could be used.
Repurposing of drugs, a new and exciting arena of scientific study, seeks to use approved drugs for clinical conditions other than those in which they are usually used for. (Read More)