Nigerian Scientists Discover New Malaria Therapy

Scientists at Nigeria’s National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and development (NIPRD) have introduced phytomedicine for the treatment of malaria, ulcer and fungal related diseases.

 It involves the use of natural herbs extract to produce drugs without the use of orthodox techniques in the production of these drugs.

 According to Prof. Karniyus Gammaniel, director general of the institute who conducted media men round the institute’s laboratory facilities, the anti-malaria agent in the phytomedicine techniques has been subjected to limited clinical studies, the results of which indicate that it is comparable to standard therapy and it is also in the process of been commercialized.

“Our research efforts have resulted in phytomedicine for the treatment of malaria, ulcer and fungal diseases. The anti fungal and anti ulcer agents are awaiting commercialization. The anti fungal is for the treatment and management of topical infections and is obtained from plant extracts which are readily available for production in commercial quantity. The anti ulcer agents are two brands of products developed which have been found to be effective in the treatment of peptic ulcer”.

He added that various tests indicate that this latest effort has an improved efficacy level to deal with all known symptoms of malaria.

“The phytomedicine NIPRD AM1 has successfully passed through phases one, two and three trials and it is awaiting commercialization,” he disclosed adding that the initiative was sponsored by the World Health Organisation and the product will soon be lunched in the market.

 Prof. Gammaniel announced that the research initiative have attracted a recognition from the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostic Innovation (ANDI) to NIPRD as a centre of excellence in research and development of phytomedicine and ANDI has also provided funding to the institute for the production of drugs that will address sickle cell diseases in the country.